Plantain

Ribwort plantain   Greater Plantain  hoary plantain

Common Name: Greater Plantain  Latin : Plantago major   Family: Plantaginaceae   
History and/or use:. Traditional cure for both external and internal bleeding, insect bites and burns. Edible salad plant. 
Wildlife Value: Source of seeds for birds.
 
'Hullo, Snailey-O ! How’s the world with you?Put your little horns out;

Tell me how you do? There’s rain, and dust, and sunshine, Where carts go creaking by;
You like it wet, Snailey; I like it dry!
 

 The four common species of Plantain are listed above. The greater (Plantago major) has the broadest leaves followed by the hoary plantain ( P.media) which leaves are nearly as broad but are hairy where the greater is not. Ribwort Plantain (P.lanceolata) has longer narrow leaves which are often downy. There are also two seaside species called buckshorn plantain (P.coronopus) and sea plantain ( P.maritima).
 
Plantain species treat piles and diarrhoea whilst the ribwort species is especially recommended to treat asthma and bronchitis. The leaves can be dried and taken as a tea for the above treatments. Fresh leaves are ideal to check bleeding of wounds and soothe burns and sores as well as insect bites. The leaves can also be dried to make an ointment which is also effective for wounds, burns and insect bites.

If you have any medical conditions please check with a medical herbalist first before taking any plant and only harvest it if you are 100% sure what it is !
 
The greater plantain has the largest and most abundant flower spike of the plantain species. One may use the seed to make bannock and add to soups as an alternative to linseeds with mucilaginous and laxative properties. Birds also enjoy the seed given rise to local names such as bird’s meat and canary flower.

Five thousand years ago evidence suggests that early farmers cleared a lot of land for farming practice. One such evidence is the increase in plants such as the plantain which will grow in cleared compact ground and withstand heavy grazing. This is possibly why the plant is called Plantago from the root word Planta meaning sole of foot. A further reference is made to this theory by the Native Americans calling this plant white man’s footprint.
 
Hoary plantain is the only species which is insect pollinated using its delicate scent to attract bees.
This plant I have associated with the oak which also has benefited from human interference and has similar herbal properties.

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