Plantain – Plantago sp.

Plantain is one of those wild weeds that grows nearly everywhere and is a great first-aid plant. There are many species of plantain but the most common are the lance leaf plantain and the broad leaf plantain. You can find both in wild places, disturbed land, your backyard, a city sidewalk, basically wherever there is greenery.
Plantain is an edible green, best collected in the spring when young and tender. Use in salads or like spinach in cooked dishes. A mild acting plant, it is anti-inflammatory and helps to heal both internally and externally. Often used in salves and as a poultice to draw out inflammation and great for use on insect bites, stings, and skin rashes. Internally used as tea or in a smoothie, it helps with digestive inflammatory conditions and as an expectorant. The seeds of plantain are a mild laxative.