Common Plantain
So if any of you know me at all, through my musings online, or in real life you know that I’m a herbalist. I love nature, and I love plants and feel a strong connection with them. I’ve studied herbal medicine for years and got my certification as a herbalist.
Today I’m going to write about common plantain. This wonderful herb sprouts and grows in pretty much every backyard, on sidewalks, even in the city you can find some normally popping up in between cracks in the pavement. It loves to grow anywhere. It is very common in the North Eastern part of the US. This herb just like one we all know Dandelions are often an oversight that we we pluck and toss, or shred with the lawn mower without any thought to it’s numerous medical benefits!
Plantain (and I don’t mean the banana type of plantains that you can find at the grocery store) but the common weed plantain is a wild edible. You can eat any part of this herb, even the stem although it’s not typically recommended it is safe but more a matter of preference. The leaves taste best when they are young (before they sprout stems in the center) normally in the beginning of Spring. The leaves have a similar taste to spinach, and can be eaten raw, or often are blanched first, or cooked, made into soup etc. The leaves are full of nutrients such as Vitamin A, C, & K and Calcium. I like to make plantain soup.
The leaves also have man medical benefits as well.
Some uses are;
Stings/Bug bites/Snake Bites/ Tick Bites
Cuts/ Scrapes
Minor burns such as sunburn
An Extractor (venom, saliva, splinters, other toxins etc.)
Mild to Moderate Rashes/ Boils/ Acne
Reliving Pain & Itch
Sprains/Pulled Muscles
Mouth Infections & Ulcers/ Mouthwash
Strengthening and Rejuvenating Skin & hair (Good to use in soaps & Shampoos)
Colds/Flu/Sore Throat/Diarrhea/Constipation
Digestive Disorders
Strengthening kidneys
The roots are also really great for treating toothaches, pull them up clean them off and just chew on them for relief. You could also make the roots into a tincture or extract and use for toothache treatment.
Easy Plantain Soup Recipe
Common Plantain leaves (about 3-4 cups at least)
Water
Garlic (2-3 tsp)
Milk or Cream (2-3 cups)
Onions ( about ½ cup)
Gather a lot of plantain leaves, make sure that the leaves look healthy and that they aren’t any holes from bug bites etc. You want a few big bunches enough to fill your cooking pot. The measurements will depend on your own taste and how much you want to make. This makes about a pot of soup for me.
Wash your leaves thoroughly. Crush with your hands and put into a cooking pot and add some water. Boil. Once your leaves start to boil and seem tender drain the water. Chop onions and add along with cream, garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Cook on low to medium stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes or so. Pour into a blender and blend until smooth. Poor, serve & enjoy! This is a recipe all my kids actually enjoy and it is so healthy and good for them!
