Broadleaf Plantain
Plantago major
Description
A perennial plant, about 25 cm tall, with a basal rosette of broad, parallel-veined leaves and tiny yellow-green flowers in long spikes.
Used plant parts
Healing Properties
Promotes rapid healing of open wounds, stops bleeding, helps with hemorrhoids, is anti-inflammatory, and expectorant.
Applications: An infusion quickly stops bleeding and promotes the regeneration of injured tissue. It is therefore a good alternative to common comfrey in the treatment of bruises and fractures.
As an ointment or lotion, it helps with hemorrhoids, fistulas (abnormal, tube-like connections between an internal organ and the body surface), and ulcers.
When used internally, broadleaf plantain has diuretic, expectorant, and anti-catarrhal effects. It is commonly prescribed for gastritis, gastrointestinal ulcers, diarrhea, dysentery, irritable bowel syndrome, respiratory catarrh, and urinary tract bleeding.
In Gaelic broadleaf plantain is called “the healing plant,” as it was used in Ireland for wounds and bruises. Broadleaf plantain spread worldwide with European settlers, so much so that some Native American tribes called it “Englishman’s Foot,” as it seemed to sprout wherever the footsteps of white men had been.
Other plants of the trail
The plants of the trail
- Arnica
- Eyebright
- Clubmoss
- Burnet Saxifrage
- Birch
- Tormentil
- Broadleaf Plantain
- Nettle
- Speedwell
- Angelica
- Fern
- Spruce
- Lady’s Mantle
- Heather
- Raspberry
- Coltsfoot
- Iceland Moss
- St. John’s Wort
- Small Willowherb
- Green-winged Orchid
- Mullein
- Mountain pine
- Dandelion
- Meadowsweet
- Masterwort
- Wild Thyme
- Horse mint
- Yarrow
- Cowslip
- Bilberry
- Plantain
- Rowan berry
- Horsetail
Notes on the Herbal Education Trail
The abundance of Alpine flowers on the mountains from June to early August is a beautiful reward for the climb along the herbal education trail. In all these plants lies not only beauty but often health benefits as well. All the useful and beneficial gifts from nature can certainly not replace a doctor.
But taking responsibility for prevention and, above all, paying attention to our body’s signals in time is a very good step toward effective folk medicine. On behalf of the Plattform Planneralm 3000, I wish you much joy in rediscovering our natural world!
Andrea Stieg, Wild Herb Guide
With the support of
The content of the herbal education trail information has been created with care. However, errors can never be fully excluded. Advice on the use of plants is not medical guidance and has no legal implications. For questions regarding the content, you can contact Andrea Stieg directly; she is available at the Alpengasthof Grimmingblick: Planneralm 18, 8953 Donnersbach, +43 3683 / 8105 · info@grimmingblick.at
Content responsibility: Plattform Planneralm 3000 e.V.
Photos of the herbal education trail plants: © Harald Waupotitsch, (Arnica, Eyebright, Clubmoss, Burnet Saxifrage, Birch, Tormentil, Broadleaf Plantain, Nettle, Speedwell, Fern, Spruce, Lady’s Mantle, Yellow Bedstraw, Heather, Raspberry, Coltsfoot, Iceland Moss, St. John’s Wort, Orchid, Mountain Pine, Dandelion, Meadowsweet, Masterwort, Wild Thyme, Horse Mint, Yarrow, Cowslip, Bilberries, Rowan, Willowherb, Horsetail) and iStockphoto.com (Mullein, Narrowleaf Plantain, Angelica).
Technical and communicative implementation: Harald Waupotitsch | Werte Dialog
AlpenJones Werte Dialog initiated by Harald Waupotitsch
Conscious communication that connects and moves.
