Plantain • Plantago lanceolata
Weeds
Conditions: Allergic rhinitis; allergic asthma; allergic dermatitis.
Symptoms: Itchy, stuffy, or runny nose; post-nasal drip; sneezing; itchy, red or watery eyes; asthmatic symptoms; skin irritation.
Physical description: Flowers are borne on heads (well-known
to children as natural “bullets”) whose supporting stalks protrude from the mass of sword-like leaves with distinct longitudinal veins; yellow-green stamens and rust-colored sepals of the tiny flowers encircle the wand-like spikes at the end of each stalk; flower spikes resemble tiny cattail spike.
Environmental factors: Very common, hardy, and prolific weed; found in fields, lawns, roadsides, footpaths, and marginal areas; thrives in temperate regions of the world; wind-pollinated weed.
Cross-reactivity: Plantain narrow-leaf and plantain broadleaf
References
- “Plantain.”Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plantain
- “How to Grow Plantain | Guide to Growing Plantain.” Organic & Heirloom Seeds from Heirloom Organics. http://www.heirloom-organics.com/guide/va/guidetogrowingplantain.html
- “Detection of allergens in plantain (Plantago lanceolata) pollen.” US National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11097317
- “Plantain.” Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. http://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-animals/plants/plants/plantain
Did You Know?
Plantain was considered one of the nine sacred herbs by the ancient Saxon people and has been celebrated in Anglo-Saxon poetry as the “mother
of herbs.”
