Plantain, Broadleaf

Light Conditions:

• Full Sun:
  Broadleaf Plantain could be grown in a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
• Partial Shade:
  In our climate, Broadleaf Plantain may grow well with 3 to 6 hours of sunlight per day, primarily morning sun.

Soil:

• Well-drained soil that is average or rich in nutrients. It is tolerant of water-logging and compacted soils. The plant has been reported to grow from temperate to tropical environments along lawns, meadows, and disturbed areas.
• Mulch (such as grass clippings and wood chips) can be added to the surface of the soil to retain moisture and keep down weeds.

Watering Frequency:

• Water the soil primarily when the soil is almost dry or dry.
• Watering Broadleaf Plantain should be that the soil is kept moist.
• Do not allow the soil to dry out for an extended period as this will stress the plant.

Amendments and Fertiliser:

• Broadleaf Plantain is regarded as an invasive weed and as a result, amendments and fertiliser should not be necessary if growing directly in the ground.
• For plants that appear to be stunted in a pot, we recommend a good slow release fertilizer, topping up as directed on the packaging.
• If you notice that the plant appears to wither, monitor the lighting conditions and the soil moisture, in particular.

Pruning:

• Prune (deadhead) leaves when they appear to wilt, look diseased or turn yellow or brown.

Some of the key compounds found in Broadleaf Plantain include:

• Iridoid Glycosides:
  These compounds, including aucubin, catalpol, and others, possess anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
• Mucilage:
  Plantain contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that has soothing and demulcent effects. It can help alleviate irritation and inflammation in the respiratory and digestive tracts.
• Tannins:
  Tannins have astringent properties and can help tighten and tone tissues, making them useful for treating minor wounds and skin irritations.
• Flavonoids:
  Flavonoids are antioxidants that contribute to the plant's potential anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects.
• Allantoin:
  This compound promotes wound healing and skin regeneration.
• Phenolic acids:
  These compounds have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Vitamins and Minerals:
  Plantain is a source of vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin K, as well as minerals like calcium and magnesium.

Broadleaf Plantain is antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-ulcerogenic and immunomodulatory. Plantain is a good source for vitamins C and K, and minerals such as calcium and magnesium. It has use for over 30 ailments including earache, toothache, skin conditions, bad breath, arthritis, flatulence, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, shingles and snakebites.

 

Leaves -

Younger leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and older leaves can be eaten cooked, to add an earthy element to soups and salads. Leaves may also contain fibrous strands that should be removed before use. The raw young leaves can be used directly in salads. The flavour would be more bitter and fibrous for raw older leaves, and thus, they can be sautéed, steamed, or boiled before using them to make them more tender and reduce bitterness. The dried leaves can be boiled as a tea to provide the internal medicinal benefits mentioned before and to lower blood sugar. It is diuretic and has been traditionally used to aid in digestive health, even containing extracts that reduce stomach problems such as gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhoids and peptic ulcers. It is also good for the respiratory system and helps with breathing challenges such as asthma, bronchitis, catarrh and sinusitis. Other conditions Broadleaf Plantain treats include cystitis, haemorrhage, hay fever and oedema. Topically, the tea can be cooled and used as a mouthwash to treat sores in the mouth and toothaches. The leaf juice or cooled leaf tea can be used as an eyewash. In addition, a leaf poultice or even heated leaves can be applied externally to treat blisters, burns, haemorrhoids, insect bites and stings, rashes, sores and other skin irritations.

 

Seeds -

Broadleaf Plantain seeds can be eaten raw or cooked, providing a nutty flavour to dishes. The seed can be grinded and added to flour, or can be boiled and treated as sago. The seed mucilage (gel coating) has been used as a thickener in the cosmetic industry and in the preparations of ice-cream and chocolate. It is said to be rich in vitamin B1. The mucilaginous nature of the seed coat may help thicken stool and facilitates bowel movement. The seeds may also be used as a remedy for diarrhoea, dysentery and parasitic worms.

 

Roots -

Broadleaf Plantain roots are said to have a mild sweet and salty taste. Furthermore, a decoction can be used to treat coughs and fevers.

Butterfly Food Plant -

The leaves of Broadleaf Plantain provide food for caterpillars of various butterfly species.

Some caution should be taken where you collect Broadleaf Plantain from the wild for medicinal or edible purposes, since plants may contain high concentrations of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium when they grow along roads; thus it is recommended that you reap plants from the garden.

 

It is advised that you consult with your physician before taking any herbal medicine.