"King of the way" - the plantain lives up to this name. The plant, of which there are over 200 species, is found along roadsides, in meadows and fields. Even frequent walking doesn't bother her much. In Germany, three species of plantain play a particularly important role.

Plantain is a popular native weed

The main species of plantain

In Germany, three types of plantain are particularly common:

  • Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
  • Broad plantain (Plantago major)
  • Medium plantain (Plantago media)

Properties of buckhorn

It mainly grows on lush meadows. Its leaves are narrow and tapered. The short flower spike is brown to black and is surrounded by a light-colored halo of stamens. Plantain doesn't smell. Pollination is via insects.

Properties of broadleaf plantain

This plantain species is particularly robust and even grows in small cracks. Common plantain is found on footpaths. It forms small rosettes that lie close to the ground. The leaves are much wider than those of buckhorn and are not upright. The flower spike is also black or brown. The light wreath is absent in this species.

Properties of the middle plantain

From a purely visual point of view, the medium plantain seems to be a mixture of ribwort and broad plantain. Its leaves are not quite as narrow as those of buckhorn. The flower spike is longer and bears a corolla of white, sometimes pink stamens. The flower of the common plantain exudes a lovely scent as the only representative of the plantain.

Plantain - an ancient medicinal plant

Plantain is an ancient medicinal plant that has been used for centuries and whose effectiveness has been scientifically studied. It contains mucilage, sulphur, tannins and mineral salts as active ingredients. It is used internally as a tea and externally as a tincture.

Plantain has proven itself in diseases such as:

  • respiratory problems
  • eye diseases
  • diarrhea
  • nosebleeds
  • phlebitis
  • wounds
  • insect bites

The plant parts of all three types are used: roots, leaves, fruits and plant sap. Plantain must be consumed as soon as possible after gathering. If this is not possible, the parts of the plant are immediately and gently dried.

tips

Because of its medicinal properties, buckhorn was named medicinal plant of the year 2014. It is still the best-known representative of the plantain species today.

Category:

Herbs