Plantago major 'Greater Plantain'

[Ex. Co. Durham, England]

Plantaginaceae: a vigorous herbaceous perennial plant to 40cm. Found in meadows, roadsides, and waste areas. The flowers are small, greenish-brown with purple stamens, produced in a dense spike 5–15cm long, and are wind-pollinated. Blooming from May – August. Plants form a rosette of leaves 15–30cm in diameter and 4–9 cm broad, with an acute apex and a smooth margin; there are five to nine conspicuous veins. Native to Asia, Europe, and America.

USES:

The young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Many people blanch the leaves in boiling water before using them in salads to make them more tender. The seeds can also be used and are very rich in vitamin B1. The dried leaves make an acceptable herbal tea.

Common plantain is a safe and effective treatment for bleeding, it quickly staunches blood flow and encourages the repair of damaged tissue. The leaves have astringent, demulcent, deobstruent, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic and refrigerant properties. Internally, they are used in the treatment of a wide range of complaints including diarrhoea, gastritis, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhage, haemorrhoids, cystitis, bronchitis, catarrh, sinusitis, asthma and hay fever. They are used externally in treating skin inflammations, malignant ulcers, cuts, and stings.

GROWING INFORMATION:

These seeds germinate rapidly depending on species and origin. If germination does not occur after 3–4 weeks a cooling period of 2–4 weeks is recommended. Succeeds in any moderately fertile soil in a sunny position. A common large, vigorous garden weed, self-sowing in suitable locations, and salt tolerant. Grows well in pots. An important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterflies.

HARVESTED: 2020

APPROX. 300+ SEEDS