Uses for Plantain Weed

Plantain is in season and I have little doubt that you have some growing in your yard right now. (That is, unless you use chemicals and if you do please do not use it for any of the uses described below.)

Plantain is very common and grows worldwide but few people know about it's many uses!

1. Plantain is a plant that is completely edible. The young leaves are tender and can be used in a salad. It can also be cooked as you would any greens. Very nutritious!

2. In herbal medicine, plantain is known as a "drawing herb" meaning it has a power to pull out toxins, infections and foriegn substances from the body. This makes a plantain poultice an excellent remedy for insect bites and stings, splinters, boils, cuts and scrapes, burns and even toothaches.

To make a plantain poultice simply pick some leaves then crush them up (or chew them) then apply to the affected wound, tooth, cut or sting. You can hold it in place with a bandaid for 15-20 minutes.

3. To keep this useful plant around all year you can make a plantain tincture. Grab a glass jar and fill with clean, organically grown plantain leaves nearly to the top. It helps to crush, tear or bruise the leaves before you fill the jar. Now fill your jar with brandy or 100 proof vodka. Give it a shake or two (make sure all the leaves are submerged) and then store it in a dark, cool place for six weeks. You know have plantain medicine that will last for several years!


Use can use the plantain tincture (extract) both internally and externally. 5 - 10 drops under the tongue or in a small glass of water is said to help draw out infections, mucous and other toxins out of the body. A local herbalist recently told me she believes it also draws out bad emotions also thereby relieving you of past or present hauntings. Hmmmmm.

4. Another way to preserve plantain is to make an herbal oil for external use. Please click here for instructions on salve making.

I hope you found this information useful and next time you get a bite or sting I hope you'll think of plantain. I'm heading out to pick some plantain to make a tincture right now!

Enjoy the following videos for more info on plantain weed...

Video below uploaded by cutlerylover

If you have a lawn, you have an edible and medicinal palnt growing in your backyard as we speak! And if you like a green grass yard with no weeds you hate this plant, but your missing out, because its very useful and interesting!




Learn from Green Deane about Plantagos (Plantains) a wild food spring and summer green near you.