Plantain

Photo by Kathryn Higgins

Plantain has a rosette of roundish leaves with large veins on short, flattened stems. The seed stalk is leafless. It is often found growing in lawns and gardens. Eat the spring leaves steamed or in salad. They make a nutritious tea high in potassium that relieves water retention and is soothing to mucus membranes. The leaf is called "natures band aid" because it is excellent for healing wounds and drawing out toxins or objects imbedded in the skin such as splinters or glass. Put the mashed leaf on insect bites to take out the pain and itch. Use on hives, skin sores, ulcers and hemorrhoids.

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