Discovering His Creation: Broad-leaf Plantain (Plantago major)

This is an amazing new plant for me. Another one I've seen for years but didn't know the name of. One that I would have just thought of as a weed. There is a plantain that looks like a banana but this has nothing to do with that. Plantago major is native to most of Europe and Central Asia. It was said to have been brought here to the United States by Puritan colonizers. Some of the Native Americans called it "white man's footprint". Another type of plantain (plantago lanceolata) with thinner, narrow leaves is also here in my yard. I'll show it in a separate blog, with pictures of course. Broad-leaf Plantain is both edible and medicinal and it contains vitamin B1, A, C, K and riboflavin and also Calcium. The young leaves can be eaten raw, in salads or cooked and the seeds can be eaten also. You can apply the leaves to burns, wounds, stings and sores. They can help to prevent infection. One of the chemicals found in Plantain aucubin is an anti-microbial agent and allantoin stimulates cellular growth and tissue regeneration. Mucilage contained in plantain reduces pain and discomfort. It also contains ursolic acid, flavonoids, asperuloside and is a weak antibiotic. Other medicinal uses include: anti-histamine, anti-inflammatory, treatment for intestinal problems, fever hemorroids. Actually there seems to be so much information that I'm trying to condense this to keep this brief as I usually do. Really this is a great plant to have growing and to know what it can be used for. For those interested in wild edibles and medicinal plants this is a great one to take time and research ! Always be careful when gathering and trying wild edibles. Be well informed through many sources and others that have experience. Know that God has placed many plants here for man's help and benefit. Take time and learn about His creation !