Ribwort plantain. Medicinal plant
There are nearly 200 species of plantain in total. But it is safe to say that the ribwort plantain is the best known of them all. ‘Rich’ means ‘king’, which is why it – like its two ‘brothers’, the broad-leaved plantain and the narrow-leaved plantain – is also known as the ‘king of the paths’. In 2014, ribwort plantain was voted ‘Medicinal Plant of the Year’, primarily due to its excellent healing properties for the respiratory tract, the oral mucosa and for treating wounds. Even though knowledge of plants is not as widespread as it used to be, particularly amongst young people, even children can very often recognise ribwort plantain. It is also often called ‘Indian plaster’, as it works wonders on skin injuries and has an anti-itch effect on mosquito bites or nettle stings. To use it, simply rub or chew the leaves and apply the juice to the skin. The wound heals without leaving a scar.
Ribwort plantain is considered an indicator plant, as its presence signals nutrient-rich soil wherever it grows. It grows along all meadow paths and field margins, in ditches and damp wasteland, and is found practically all over the world.
Strengthens the immune system; helps with coughs, bronchitis, asthma, mouth inflammation and skin conditions; the seeds help with constipation.
Best cough syrup: Finely chop young leaves and crush them with a pasta roller. Mix with genuine honey.
Ribwort plantain contains glycosides, flavonoids, mucilaginous polysaccharides, tannins, silicic acid and aucubin
Broad-leaved plantain
The broad-leaved plantain is very well known and commonly found. As the name suggests, the broad-leaved plantain has broader leaves than the ribwort plantain. Otherwise, however, it is very similar to ribwort plantain in appearance and in terms of its constituents.
It is used as a tea for headaches, toothache or earache, and to treat bedwetting and diarrhoea. Here too, the leaves act as ‘first-aid plasters’ for blisters forming on the feet. Simply flatten the leaf and place it on the sore spot. Furthermore, the young, green fruit clusters (at the top of the plant) are nature’s very own power muesli bars.
Use in folk medicine
- Respiratory conditions (mucus build-up, cough)
- as a tea for liver and bladder ailments, e.g. urinary tract infections
- to help smokers give up (plant sap)
- It purifies blood that is deficient or impure
- For skin inflammations, as it has antiseptic and disinfectant properties
- ‘Native American plaster’ for children
Recipes using ribwort plantain
RIBWORT PLANTAN RISOTTO
about 25 ribwort plantain flowers
1 onion
1 tbsp vegetable oil
3 tbsp cream
salt and pepper
Dice the onion and fry gently in a pan with the vegetable oil. Add the flowers and sauté briefly. Pour in the cream and simmer briefly. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook the risotto according to the packet instructions and mix in the flowers.
COUGH SYRUP
Chop the young leaves finely and crush them with a rolling pin. Place in a jar and pour over some real honey. Leave the jar to stand for a few days to produce a delicious cough syrup.
RIBBED PLANTAGO HONEY
A very informative video explains how you can easily make this healing honey: see here
