Plantain
The “Weed” I Always Want Nearby
Once you learn plantain, you’ll start seeing it everywhere.
It’s one of those plants that’s easy to walk right over without giving it a second thought.
But once I learned it?
I wanted to know where it was growing.
Plantain is one of the herbs I actually use in everyday life — and a perfect example of why I always say:
Learn It. Grow It. Use It.
What Is Plantain?
Plantain is a low-growing herb commonly found in lawns, gardens, pathways and other disturbed areas.
There are different types of plantain, but broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) is the one I commonly use and teach about.
And before you EVER use something you’ve found growing wild:
Make sure you have positively identified it.
Don’t use a plant because it kinda looks like the picture. Learn the plant first.
narrow leaf plantain
GET ME THE PLANTAIN!
Today I was removing seeds from a mammoth sunflower because everyone is doing that right now… right?
Well, something VERY pokey got me right in the crook of my thumb where it bends.
OUCH!
I pulled it out and thought it was okay.
A few minutes later it swelled up, turned a little blue and hurt like crazy.
My immediate response?
PLANTAIN. GET ME THE PLANTAIN.
broad leaf plantain
When something feels like a sting, that’s what I run to. Literally.
I found some plantain, chewed up a leaf to make a quick poultice and placed it right on the area.
And ahhhh…
For me, there goes the pain.
Every. Single. Time.
Honest to goodness, it’s one of the most amazing things I’ve experienced time and time again with such a simple plant.
And it’s been growing right under our feet.
MONEY IN THE BANK
That “weed” growing right outside your door becomes a whole lot more valuable once you know what it is and how you use it.
How I Use Plantain
That quick fresh-leaf poultice is probably my most memorable use because I’ve personally reached for it so many times. Let me remember all the times when my husband came running and we all scramble to find the plantain, because even my kids know exactly what it is, why and how we use it.
But plantain is also an herb I like to preserve and use in different herbal preparations around our homestead.
And this is where I want you to learn the herb, not just read a giant internet list of 37 things someone says you can do with it.
Know what it looks like.
Know where it’s growing.
Know how to harvest it responsibly.
And then learn how you’ll actually use it.
That’s when herbal knowledge becomes useful.
Want to Really Learn Plantain?
There’s a difference between knowing about an herb and knowing what to actually do with it.
Inside the Food Prood Academy, I take you deeper into Plantain — identification, harvesting, preserving and practical ways to put what you’ve learned to use.
You don’t need to learn every herb.
Learn one. Use it. Then add another.
Keep Learning About Herbs
Plantain is just one plant.
I’ve gathered my herbal videos, free downloads, growing resources, herbal lessons and more into my Everyday Herbs hub.
Learn It. Grow It. Use It.
A Note From Laura
The information shared here is for educational purposes and reflects my own experiences using herbs on our homestead. I am not a medical professional. Always positively identify plants before using them and consult a qualified healthcare provider when appropriate, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a health condition.
