I almost feel guilty pulling up a driveway full of narrow leaf plantain at the new house now.
I had only half heard a program on TV about a first nations woman in Vancouver waxing poetic about this plant. I have tried to look up the program, but really hadn't found the information. I'm so glad you wrote this, thank you.
It is just amazing what we treat as disposable and "bad". We have lost so much useful knowledge, or are in danger of loosing so much useful knowledge. I look forward to your next article.
Thanks again.

Hello Sherri,
That's why I write so often about the things I learned growing up; I really don't want to forget.
Thank you for reading and for your comment; of course I agree with you. And if you find the program maybe you can send a link.

Very interesting Sharon. As usual, I learned something I never knew. Thank you.

Actually, I rather like the looks of Plaintain. As long as it isn't chocking out something I'm growing for another purpose --- it's going to be left alone to do it's own thing.

It really can take over, Anni, but usually in a good way.
Good for you!

flaflwrgrl said:
Actually, I rather like the looks of Plaintain. As long as it isn't chocking out something I'm growing for another purpose --- it's going to be left alone to do it's own thing.

Do you know if the tuberous roots are edible?

In Hawaii it is Native Medicine: the leaf is chewed and then applied to a cut or scrape...acts like Neosporin! Also used to lessen inflamation! Great article Sharon!

The roots are edible, Twitcher, but I've only known about them made into a tea. I think all parts of the plant are filled with Vitamins A and D specifically, plus tons of minerals, calcium, etc. Too, if you roast those seeds, they release a nutty flavor in breads or on salads.

Carol, your natives know a lot of medicinal plants and I'm so glad it's still in use there.

It does work like Neosporin, heals just as quickly too. Aunt Bett used to chew it up, spit it out and slap it on her own scratches from briars or any other scrapes she might have. Bug bites, too. I'm sure the same was done to me a time or two way back then. You can also make a salve of it, same way other salves are made. It is an excellent plant for food or medicine!

Thanks, Carol for your comment.

Thank you Sharon for another very informative article, what a great plant, I had no idea!!

I've been accused of having a head full of useless information and I was afraid this might be an example. Still it is fun to share things that can really make a difference!
Thanks Margaret!

Good article! I used to have some Plantago coronopus and Plantago lanceolata, but unfortunately, they didn't survive the worst of the drought. I used to eat the P. coronopus leaves sometimes, as it was the tastier kind of the two.

Actually I have more narrow-leaf than broadleaf here, but I prefer the taste of broadleaf for nibbling.
Thanks, Linda.

ooohhh you have to add the best mosquito bite cure ever!!!... take a lighter or match.. wilt the leaf.. squish it so the oils come out... on a new bite ... if you put that on there.. it's gone forever!!!.. the people at Well-Sweep Herb Farm taught me that!!!... just love that place!!

oh they said if you don't have a lighter you can chew it.. but it is not a pleasant experience

curioser and curioser

Allison, that's what I was talking about up there when I answered Carol in the wee hours of the morning. I just glanced back and saw I wrote 'but bites' instead of bug bites. (Just now fixed that!! - I think I need an editor to follow along behind me.) I didn't know about the lighter thing, but I sure did know about chewing it. And yes it absolutely does work on mosquito bites.

It also works on shin scrapes. Overnight too. (Don't ask how I know this.)

Jmorth, take a look at this blog site: http://www.aloe-vera-and-handy...

I just found it this morning and it's full of more information than I gave in the article. You might find it useful too.

Dear Sharon, we have stinging nettles Urtica diocia although you have them as well in the US! They normally grow on disturbed ground, where a fire has been or is high in phosphate. They are great for butterflies but not much help for the unwary gardener, as they hurt! Normally wherever you find stinging nettles you will also find dock plants growing Rumex obtusifolius and if you get stung by a nettle and rub on a dock leaf, it stops the pain.
If there are no dock leaves you can use a plantain Plantago major which does work but slower than a dock. Nettles are eaten here in the nettle eating championship held in Dorset each year! Every competitor is given a number of plants and they have to strip them and eat them. However there is an art to this, for nettle hairs which are hypodermic only point upwards, so you start at the bottom ( in theory). I have never tried it though!
They also make beer and cordial from nettles and it used to be used to die clothes as well, they are highly medicinal as well. The first record we have of them is in pagan times.
Although I prefer plantains as they do not sting!
Regards from England.
Neil.

Thanks for all that info, Neil.

I for sure will remember about eating nettles. I'll try to restrain myself!!

Nettles should only be used cooked or brewed. I usually brew with very hot water for tea or sometimes I add fresh nettle to something I'm cooking. Harmless and very nutritious!

I have been looking for some for some butterflies that use it as a host plant, now I will look for some for me.
Thanks