Are All Plantain Weeds Edible?

Although often considered weeds, these plants all have edible leaves and seeds that have been used medicinally for centuries ( 1 ).

Are all plantain edible?

There are over 200 species of plantain within the genus Plantago, and, as far as I know, all are edible.

Can you eat wild plantain?

Plantain is a highly nutritious wild edible, that is high in calcium and vitamins A, C, and K. The young, tender leaves can be eaten raw, and the older, stringier leaves can be boiled in stews and eaten. The seeds are also edible. However, ingesting large quantities can cause a drop in blood pressure.

Is plantain plant poisonous?

Broadleaf plantain is packed with nutrients and is safe to ingest. If a person chomps on some fresh leaves, these can be applied to the skin to treat minor burns, insect bites or open wounds.

Can you eat black seed plantain?

The Yard Plantain’s young leaves can be eaten raw, but larger leaves get tough and stringy so they are better when cooked. The roots and seeds can also be eaten, usually cooked, but I like eating the seed stalks raw. The seeds can be removed from the stalks easily and cooked whole for a starchy meal.

What does wild plantain look like?

Wild plantain grows low to the ground and has distinctive leaves with prominent parallel veins. These leaves grow in a basal rosette, which means they grow at the base of the plant, the leaves overlapping to loosely form a rose-like shape. Plantain is also identifiable by its prominent central flower spike.

Are there different types of plantains?

Two groups of plantains are thought to have a common origin: the horn plantain and the French plantain. Both types grow in India, Africa, Egypt, and tropical America. The French plantains also occur in Indonesia and the islands of the Pacific.

Is broadleaf plantain good for you?

Apart from its antimicrobial and antioxidant attributes, broadleaf plantain has been documented to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. It also has been shown to boost the immune system and to help treat ulcers, diarrhea and fatigue.

Can you eat narrow leaf plantain leaves?

The leaves of the equally ubiquitous narrow-leaf plantain, or Plantago lanceolata, also are edible when young. The shoot is “edible” only with quotation marks. You can eat the seeds should you have the patience to collect hundreds of plants for the handful of seeds you’d harvest.

Can you smoke plantain leaves?

Can you smoke plantain leaves? The North American wild herb, plantain (Plantago major), helps reduce cravings for cigarettes. That could be one of the main reasons it is being used in many commercial smoking cessation products. For long-term storage, use fresh or dry leaves to create an infused herbal oil.

Is a plantain lily poisonous?

Plantain lily poisoning is usually mild, but can be moderate or even severe if enough of the plant is ingested. The amount of toxins in the plant varies from plant to plant, but they are generally low in toxicity unless a great deal is eaten.

What can I do with plantain seeds?

Add the seeds to crackers, breads, muffins, etc. Plantain leaves are anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving. They are an herbal remedy that works wonders on mosquito bites, bee stings, and minor cuts and scrapes. The simplest way to use them is to crush up a leaf and rub it on the bite or scrape.

Where do plantain weeds grow?

Plantain, known as Plantago major, grows all over North America and around the world. It is commonly found in yards and gardens where pesticides aren’t used. Chances are, if you’re a Climate Victory Gardener, you’ve come across this plant.

What is black seed plantain used for?

American Indian groups used a poultice for pain, swelling, wounds, cuts, sores, infections, blisters, insect bites, snakebites, and hemorrhoids. An infusion made from leaves was used for sore eyes. The leaf tea was taken for diarrhea, ulcers, bloody urine, digestive upsets.

How do you tell the difference between a banana tree and a plantain tree?

A Plantain Tree produces similar-looking fruit, but they are straighter, rather than curved. They also tend to be bigger and longer than a Banana Tree’s fruit, which makes them easier to tell apart. However, they do still grow in bunches, so at a glance, they could be mixed up.

Are sweet plantains and plantains the same?

Plantains, though, are not as well known. It’s easy to confuse a plantain with a banana because they look so much alike. However, if you were to substitute a plantain for a banana in a recipe, you may be surprised by its very different taste.
They’re both very nutritious.

	Bananas	Plantains
Vitamin C	9 mg	18 mg

Are yellow and green plantains the same?

When shopping, you may come across both green and yellow plantains. They are the same fruit, but the color of the skin indicates the plantain’s ripeness. At its peak of ripeness, a plantain’s skin will be dull yellow with black patches, or completely black.

Can you eat yellow plantains raw?

Ripe plantains are sweet like a banana, without the banana flavor. They can be eaten raw but are best when fried. The edges caramelize and become crispy like the edges of pancakes cooked in butter.

How do you harvest plantain weeds?

Plantain is easy to harvest — just pull leaves by their stems from the plant. If you capture the stem along with the leaf, it makes it easier to hang and dry. Otherwise, you can just pull off leaves. Don’t forget the seed heads, since they are also known to have medicinal value.

Is broadleaf plantain poisonous to dogs?

No, broadleaf Plantain is not poisonous to dogs.
Studies have shown broadleaf Plantain to treat digestive tract problems as well as chronic diarrhea. Like Plantain itself, broadleaf Plantain is also packed full of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients and they are safe to eat.

Does plantain draw out infection?

It can draw out and close up pus and infection from dirty wounds and soothes irritated membranes. Plantain is also helpful in bronchial infections and pneumonia.