Common Plantain

Plantago major

Common plantain can be found nearly anywhere humans inhabit. It springs up in lawns, meadows, sidewalks, and hiking trails. The broad leaves spread out in a flat rosette near the ground. They have distinct veins running from the base to the tip of each leaf. Thin green spikes shoot up from the center in summer and release hundreds of seeds. It grows well in compacted and otherwise disturbed soil.

Plantain has a long history of use in medicine. Fresh leaves can be bruised and applied directly to insect bites, stings, or small cuts. The juice soothes the skin and draws out irritation. Teas and poultices of the leaves have been used for coughs, sore throats, and mild inflammations [1][2]. The seeds and husks are the source of psyllium fiber, which can help maintain healthy digestion and regular bowel movements [3].

The young leaves are edible cooked or raw in salads. They provide calcium and carotenoids, which are precursors of vitamin A, as well as many other plant nutrients that contribute to its food value [4]. It has a mild flavor, but the leaves can be fibrous in texture when the plant matures.

Plantain travels with human migration and grows where the earth is left open. It provides immediate relief outside and reliable nourishment at home.

[1] U.S. Department of Agriculture, PLANTS Database. “Plantago major L. – Common Plantain.” 2025. https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/PLMA2

[2] Samuelsen, A. B. “The Traditional Uses, Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Plantago major L. – A Review.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 71, nos. 1–2 (2000): 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00212-9

[3] Harvard Health Publishing. “Psyllium Fiber: Regularity and Healthier Lipid Levels?” 2022. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/psyllium-fiber-regularity-and-healthier-lipid-levels

[4] Guil-Guerrero, J. L. “Nutritional Composition of Plantago Species (P. major L., P. lanceolata L. and P. media L.).” Ecology of Food and Nutrition 40, no. 5 (2001): 481–495. https://doi.org/10.1080/03670244.2001.9991663