When a local gardener posted about ‘plantain’, I was a little awestruck. A banana is a herb?
Upon more enquiry and research, she was referring to the plantago major, the greater or common plantain, which is a plant so reputedly resilient to almost-all growing conditions that the Native Americans called it the ‘white man’s footprints’ because Europeans brought the seeds of the plantain along with them when they colonized many places, and America was one of them.
According to a general Google search, plantain does well in any kind of soil, even in very compacted ones. It grows from a rhizome, but can be propagated very easily from seeds. Also, it seems to take any sort of conditions from bright shade to full sun very well.
Within less than three to four months of sowing the seeds, my plantain is now about 10cm tall, and is sending out flower stalks, upon which I can already see seed heads forming.
There are many uses to the plantain. One can use the raw leaves as part of a salad (however, the older leaves can be rather tough, bitter and fibrous); the leaves can also be used as a compress for insect and snake bites; and it can also be used on open wounds as the plant and leaves contain a chemical which acts as a powerful coagulant.
One website even suggested this healing salve: “In large non-metallic pan place 1lb. of entire Plantain plant chopped, and 1 cup lard, cover, cook down on low heat till all is mushy and green. Strain while hot, cool and use for burns, insect bites, rashes, and all sores. Note: used as night cream for wrinkles.”
Care: Any type of soil mix
Sunlight: Preferably full sun; however, it can grow well with four hours direct sunlight, and do slightly less well in constant bright shade
Propagation: By seeds
curiousgardener
Apr 09, 2010 @ 12:04:39
Nice one, Sky. I was also under the assumption they were bananas. You learn something new every day!
skyfiery
Apr 09, 2010 @ 13:19:37
=) Thank you, Curious Gardener.
wolfnowl
Apr 19, 2010 @ 06:27:07
Plantain seeds are very high in B6 & B12 vitamins. Eat a lot of them and it’ll keep mosquitoes and other biting insects at bay. If you’re stung by a bee, chew up a leaf or two of plantain and put it over the sting as a poultice. Very handy plant to have around!
Mike.
skyfiery
Apr 19, 2010 @ 06:31:37
Heyas, Mike! Nice to see you popping over from SS! =)
And wow. Thanks for letting me know more about the uses of plantain. I’m deathly terrified of bees after having stepped on one during martial arts training. It’d be great to know I can use it for stings.
How do you cook plantain for your own use?