This outstanding display of the “weed” plantain is clustered around the bird bath in my Square Foot Garden. I thought it especially appropriate that the plant grew in the garden beds. I have let several patches of plantain grow each year into large sized plants. I don’t consider it a weed at all. Plantain is an edible weed. It is also medicinal and can alleviate the itch of poison ivy or the pain of a bee sting. To use plantain for stings and rashes, chew it for a bit and apply to the sore or itchy spot.
Plantain can also be eaten raw, in a salad, when the leaves are young and small. It can also be cooked. For more information check out this terrific site on “Eat the Weeds” blog by Green Deane: Eat the Weeds/Plantain
I also make a salve for the skin using plantain. It is very easy. I lightly simmer water and heat olive oil and plantain leaves in a baby food jar. I don’t have a specific measurement, just a half inch of oil or so, and some chopped plantain leaves. I heat for about an hour or ninety minutes, and let the leaves sit in the oil for about 24 hours before straining out. This can also be stored in the fridge for a longer lasting salve. Even if it hardens, as soon as it touches your skin it melts right in.
I recently read to get the best oil out of herbs and other plants pick them and let them set for about twenty-four hours. This gives you maximum essential oils on the surface of the leaves or flowers.
I have blogged about using plantain in the past, but a good tip is always worthwhile to bring to the “surface” of the blog again. Oftentimes the best ideas get buried in the archives.
I thought plantain was a type of banana until I read this post- it is another plant- a weed ?
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It is a different plant from the weed. It is more like a banana tree. The difference is plantains need to be cooked before you eat them.
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So is there a plantain weed ? And was that what your post was about ? To tell you the truth, I was looking for a pic of a banana tree in your post and couldn’t find any.:)
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Sorry Susie, I read the comment and thought it was my post about cooking plantains. I’m chuckling to myself…sorry about that mistake. Yes, this is a weed that grows in abundance here in New Jersey. It is a great weed. Most people don’t know you can eat it much the same as salad…and when it is infused into lotions it is a healer. I hope your day is a perfect one. It is very dreary here…grey sky…but we needed the rain so I am glad for the clouds.
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Is it cold too ? Have a beautiful day – is it a good day for a walk ?
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I’m smiling Susie, I just came back in from a walk. It was beautiful…misty and foggy, but then the rain began and I hurried home. It is not cold…rather warm today.
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I never knew that about plantain and, of course, it is all over the place here. Hmmm…I like the skin salve idea for bites and rashes.
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I forget how I heard about it, but like you…until that point, never knew it was so full of goodness. I also think the larger leafed variety is very pretty.
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