Name
Plantago means “footprint” and it refers to the foot-like shape of the leaf. The specific name “major” means ‘larger’ referring to the leaf size, probably in contrast with other Plantago plants as Plantago lanceolata.
Also Known as
- greater plantain
- common plantain
- soldier’s herb
- white man’s foot
- broadleaf plantain
- broad-leaved plantain
- roadweed
- wayside plantain
- lamb’s foot
- snakeroot
- waybread
- healing blade
- hen plant
Identification Keys
- perennial weed
- makes a tough, leafy rosette
- leaves all in tuft at base of plant
- leaves 10-30 cm, oval
- leaves not spear-shaped
- strongly veined leaves, main veins are parallel
- pencil-shaped flowering spikes about 15 cm
- short, flattened, purple leaf stalk
- flowers 2-3 mm
- 4 oval, brownish, papery sepals
- sepals are shorter than petals
- 4 greenish, yellowish-white petals
- petals form a tube beneath oval lobes
- 4 long, protruding stamens, 1 stigma
- flower-head not covered by hood
- fruit is a 2-4 mm oblong capsule
- fruit has 6-13 elliptical flattened seeds
- each seed is 1-1.5mm
- the top of the fruit detaches to release the seeds
- sap is not milky
Bloom Time
- May-September
Habitat
- grassy place, cultivated or waste ground
- spreads through most temperate regions of the world
- requires moist soil
- needs a sunny or partly shaded position
- can withstand temperatures down to -15°C
Look-alikes
It can be confused with other Plantago plants:
- Plantago lanceolata (long-leaf plantain). It has narrower leaves.
Medicine Uses
Parts Used
leaf, seed
Actions
astringent, alterative, diuretic, vulnerary, demulcent, refrigerant, detoxifying, decongestant, expectorant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral
Systems
Digestion
- counters inflammation and irritation in the bowels and stomach
- helps in gastritis, diarrhea and colitis
- reduces colic and spasm
- bulk laxative for constipation (taken as a tea of seeds)
Respiratory system
- relieves colds, sinusitis, bronchial congestion, hay fever and asthma depressing mucous secretion
- prevents ear infections and glue ear
- soothes cough reflex
- protects mucosae from irritation
Immune system
- reduces swelling and inflammation
- stops bleeding
- promotes wound healing
- reduces fever and infections
- clears toxins
- has antiviral action against herpes viruses and adenoviruses
Urinary system
- helps in urinary tracts infections
Reproductive system
- reduces excessive menstrual bleeding
- useful for prostatitis enlargement
Externally
- cures cuts, stings and insect bites
Harvesting
- pull off the leaves
- strip the immature, green fruits with your fingers
- gather the seeds inside the mature fruits