Broadleaf Plantain

(Plantago major)

Used for centuries as a panacea, a medicinal cure-all, The leaves, seeds, and roots have been used as an antibacterial, antidote, antitoxin, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antitussive, cardiac, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, Hemostatic, laxative, ophthalmic, poultice, refrigerant, and vermifuge. One Native American name for the plant translates to "life medicine". Plantain was even mentioned in Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet.

There are two main active ingredients in this "wonder drug" One is Allantoin, while the other is the glycoside Aucubin. Allantoin is a natural cell proliferant which helps our bodies regenerate damaged tissue. Aucubin has been reported in the Journal Of Toxicology as a powerful anti-toxin. Aucubin is a defensive compound commonly found in many plants. It is thought to reduce the growth rate of many generalist herbivores.

I have long hypothesized it is this ability to decrease cellular growth rate which is behind the performance of Plantago spp. as an excellent antitoxin, and antibacterial agent. Recent clinical studies have shown that Aucubin removes the ability of bacteria and viruses to replicate their DNA. These organisms have a short life span. Their virulence is a direct result of their ability to quickly split into new organism, thereby perpetuating the infection.

Regardless of the reasons for Plantain's medicinal effects, I have experienced first hand the magical healing properties of this wonderful plant. I feel it is the first and perhaps the most important medicinal plant a person can and should learn.

Other Names:
Common plantain, great plantain, white man's footprint, waybread, greater plantain

Range:


Family:
Plantaginaceae – Plantain family

Growth Type:
An Herbaceous Perennial plant growing in a basal rosette.

Height:
Can reach 12-18 inches in height

Leaves:
Broad, ovate, with prominent raised veins that run parallel to one another along the length of the underside of the leaf. The base of the leaf stem may be purple in color.

Stem/Trunk:
N/A

Root:
Leaf stalks emanate from a fibrous root mass.

Flower Season:
Mid-Summer

Flower Appearance:
The plant puts forth a densely clustered, green flowered stalk, which later bears numerous seeds.

Seed/Fruit:
Unremarkable

Miscellaneous characteristics:
While there are no poisonous look alikes, if you slowly break the stem of the plantain leaf and pull apart slowly, you will notice the veins remain attached. This is a simple test to verify you have the correct plant.

Habitat:
Compacted disturbed soils. lawns, pastures, meadows, cracks in sidewalks, waste places and disturbed habitats throughout the United States.

Parts Used:
Leaves, seeds, roots

Culinary Uses:
Add leaves to salads, or use as a cooked vegetable

Traditional Medicinal Uses:
Used for centuries as a panacea (a medicinal cure-all), P. major contains Allantoin, a natural cell proliferant, which has been shown to speed up the natural replacement of cells. This explains the almost miraculous healing benefits I have experienced with this plant. I nake a healing ointment from plantain that is positively amazing. Follow this link for photographic evidence of the amazing healing benefits of my plantain ointment.

The Aucubin in plantain is considered to be an excellent antimicrobial and antiviral. I believe these terms to be misnomers, as plantain does not kill viruses, but rather the aucubin disrupts their ability to replicate. Recent clinical trials have found that aucubin inhibts mitotic cell division in a broad array of viruses. Most viruses are short lived. Their virulence stems from their ability to replicate. Remove that ability, and you remove their virulence. In the event you become ill from a virus, plantain will drastically reduce the length of that illness.

Along with their wonderful healing and antimitotic effects I have also found plantain leaves to be highly effective at treating insect bites and stings. I have also used it to soothe the rashes associated with poison ivy and poison oak. My son came home from his mother's house covered in mosquito bites. He was itching himself crazy. I applied some plantain ointment I had made, and he stopped itching almost instantly. The next day, there was no swelling or inflammation, and most of the bites were completely gone. My son had to undergo allergy testing. As picture #1 will show, his skin reacted almost immediately. Once the doctor evaluated his reaction, I immediately applied an ointment of Plantain and Jewelweed. As you will see by picture #2, the reaction was gone a short time later. Follow this link to view these photos.

Other clinical trials have shown plantain to slow or stop the growth of multiple cancers. Here is a link to a published study outlining the cytotoxic effects of Plantago spp., on various types of human cancer cells.

Medicinal Actions:
Alexiteric, Alterative, Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antimitotic, Antineoplastic, Antiseptic, Antitussive, Antitoxin, Antivenin, Antiviral, Astringent, Demulcent, Diuretic, Expectorant, Hemostatic, Hypoglycemic, Laxative, Tonic: Sexual Male, Vulnerary