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)