Today's Herb: Greater Plantain

Greater Plantain - Plantago major (Plantaginaceae)
(broadleaf plantain, rat's tail plantain, waybread, white man's footprint)

Description: Hard rooted perennial with a rosette of long stalked elliptical leaves that are deeply veined and pointed at the tip. Tall cylindrical spikes of small yellow-green flowers appear in the summer followed by a spike of seeds in a gelatinous pod.

Uses: Use leaves fresh or dried quickly in sun or shade and roots dug in winter and boiled. One of the 9 sacred Saxon herbs. Leaves are cooling and pain-relieving when crushed and can be applied in poultice or creams to treat wounds and abrasions. Can also be made into infusion to use as a gargle or eyebath.

Infusion: Used to prepare more delicate parts of plants. 3 cups of water to 1 ounce dry herb or 1½ ounce of fresh herbs; pour the freshly boiled water over herbs in a pot, cover the pot and let the herbs steep for at least 10 minutes. Strain and serve. Refrigerate unused portions, lasts up to 24 hours.

Decoction: used to prepare barks, roots and berries 4 cups of water to 1 ounce dry herb or 2 ounces fresh herb; finely chop herbs in a pan and cover with the water (which should be cold). Bring this mixture to a boil, cover and simmer for about 5 minutes. Then strain the liquid off and press as much of the remaining liquid out of the herbs as possible. Refrigerate unused portions, lasts up to 2 weeks.

Tincture: A tincture is a good solution for long term treatment as will store for up to two years. 8 ounces of dried herb, 1½ cups of alcohol (grain alcohol like Everclear), and 4 cups of water; Chop your herbs up finely and put them in a glass jar with a good tight fitting lid. Pour the liquid over the herbs and tighten the lid. Keep the jar in a warm, dark place for 2 weeks. Shake the jar every two days. After the two weeks, strain the liquid off through cheesecloth into a clean colored glass jar and store away from heat and direct sunlight.

Medicinal uses: analgesic, gargle, eyewash, constipation, diarrhea

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