Plantain (Plantago major / Plantago lanceolata)

Plantain (Plantago major / Plantago lanceolata)

Common Names
  • Broadleaf Plantain
  • Ribwort Plantain
  • Waybread
  • Ripple Grass
  • White Man’s Foot (colonial nickname)
  • Slánlus (Irish Gaelic – “healing herb”)
  • Lusan ny Keayn (Manx Gaelic – “plant of the wayside”)
Botanical Description

Plantain is a hardy, rosette-forming perennial herb found in fields, paths, and disturbed ground across the UK and Isle of Man. Two species are most common:

  • Plantago major (broadleaf plantain) – oval, ribbed leaves
  • Plantago lanceolata (ribwort) – narrow, lance-shaped leaves with strong veins

Both produce upright, slender flower spikes and thrive in compacted or grazed soils, making them common in pastures.

Parts Used
  • Leaves – fresh or dried; most commonly used for both internal and external applications
  • Seeds – mucilaginous and used primarily for gastrointestinal support (not to be confused with psyllium unless referring to P. ovata)
  • Roots – less commonly used; some traditional wound applications
Energetics
  • Temperature: Cooling
  • Moisture: Moistening (especially due to mucilage)
  • Tissue States: Dry, inflamed, hot, irritated
  • Actions: Soothing, healing, drying to excess damp via astringency while moistening dry, irritated tissue
Constituents
  • Mucilage
  • Aucubin (anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial iridoid glycoside)
  • Allantoin (tissue regenerative)
  • Flavonoids
  • Tannins (mildly astringent)
  • Silica
  • Vitamins A, C, K
  • Minerals (potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium)
Actions
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Demulcent
  • Vulnerary (wound-healing)
  • Antimicrobial
  • Astringent
  • Hemostatic (stops minor bleeding)
  • Expectorant
  • Mild diuretic
  • Antitussive
Equine Use

  • Benefits:

    • Supports respiratory health, esp. with dust or allergies
    • Soothes gut mucosa (ulcers, colic-prone horses)
    • External poultice for wounds, cracked skin, insect bites

  • Forms:

    • Dried leaves
    • Decoction added to feed
    • Poultice from fresh leaves

  • Precautions:

    • Ensure clean source (free from herbicides or roadside contaminants)
    • Introduce slowly if feeding fresh to sensitive horses
Canine Use

  • Benefits:

    • Used for skin irritations, allergies, sore paws, ear infections
    • Internally: mild support for UTI, digestive tract inflammation, kennel cough

  • Forms & Dosing:

    • Infusion/tea: for eyes, ears, or skin rinse
    • Fresh leaves: small amounts in meals
    • Dried herb:

  • Precautions:

    • Avoid over-harvested or contaminated plants
    • Introduce gradually; mucilage can alter stool
UK and Isle of Man Folklore

Plantain has deep roots in British and Manx herbal history. It appears in the Anglo-Saxon "Nine Herbs Charm" – a healing incantation that honoured sacred plants believed to cure all wounds.

  • In Isle of Man, it was called Lusan ny Keayn and used in travel charms and to cleanse wounds.
  • Known historically as “waybread”, it was believed that wherever people walked, plantain would spring up in their footsteps.
  • Children would use the seed heads in games – the flicking “rat-tail” game preserved folk knowledge while entertaining.
  • Wart charms were also associated with the plant; leaves were rubbed on a wart while reciting a charm, then buried or burned.

Digestion

Inflamation

Respiratory

Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) Psyllium husk (Plantago ovata / Plantago psyllium)