Plantain: The Humble Backyard Herb with Superhero Healing Powers
If you’ve ever walked barefoot across a patch of green grass and spotted those little rosette-shaped plants hugging the earth with tall stalks of seeds poking up—you may have stepped over one of nature’s greatest unsung heroes: plantain. Not the banana-like fruit (though that’s great too), but the leafy Plantago major or Plantago lanceolata—a powerful herbal remedy growing wild and free… maybe even in your own yard like it does in mine!
Let’s take a walk through the world of this amazing herb, from its backyard beginnings to its soothing, skin-loving superpowers.
What is Plantain (Herb, Not Banana)?
Plantain is a perennial herb found all over the world. It’s considered a weed by some, but we herbalists know better—it’s a skin soother, wound healer, inflammation tamer, and all-around herbal rockstar. There are two main species: Plantago major (broadleaf plantain) and Plantago lanceolata (narrowleaf plantain), and both are equally amazing.
You’ll usually find it in disturbed soil, driveways, lawns, or cracks in the sidewalk. It’s tough, resilient, and grows without needing a green thumb—which makes it one of the easiest wild herbs to identify and harvest.
Plantain Grows Wild… Even in My Yard!
One of my favorite things about plantain is that it shows up uninvited but oh-so-welcome. It grows wild in my yard—no planting required! That tells you something: this herb wants to help. Nature put it exactly where we’d need it most.
If you spot it in your own yard, don’t spray it—harvest it! Gently pull the leaves from the base, and give them a rinse. You can use them fresh or dry them for year-round use.
Why Plantain is the Plant of “Chill & Heal”
When I created my Chill & Heal Salve, plantain was one of the first herbs I knew I needed to include. It’s like nature’s band-aid with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and demulcent (aka soothing) powers.
When combined with calming chamomile, skin-repairing calendula, and nerve-soothing St. John’s Wort, you get a salve that works wonders on:
- Cuts and scrapes
- Bug bites
- Rashes (including diaper rash)
- Eczema or dry patches
- Minor burns
- Itchy skin
I keep a tin in my bag, in the car, in the bathroom, and in my herbal kit—it’s just that useful.
Key Benefits of Plantain Herb
Here’s why this unassuming green leaf deserves a spot in every herbalist’s toolkit (and maybe your medicine cabinet too):
1. Wound Healing
Plantain has allantoin, a compound that promotes cell regeneration. That means it helps your skin knit itself back together quickly after cuts, scratches, or bruises.
2. Anti-Inflammatory
It’s rich in flavonoids and tannins, which help calm inflammation. Great for soothing puffy bug bites, sunburns, or tender eczema spots.
3. Antimicrobial
Plantain helps defend against infections, thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. If you’ve got a scratch or scrape, plantain gives your skin a layer of gentle protection.
4. Pain Relief
It may not replace your painkillers, but it can take the edge off minor skin discomfort, especially when infused in oil or applied fresh as a poultice.
5. Itch and Sting Relief
Stung by a bee? Bitten by a mosquito? Rub a fresh plantain leaf on it, and thank me later.
How I Use It: My “Chill & Heal Salve”
My Chill & Heal Salve is one of my go-to remedies for anything skin related. I slow-infuse plantain, calendula, chamomile, and St. John’s Wort into a nourishing oil, then blend it with natural beeswax to create a gentle yet powerful balm. You can even add some essential oils to it for more healing power and a little scent.
People tell me they use it for everything from razor burn to eczema to mystery rashes. It’s a family favorite around here (even the kids ask for it when they get a scrape).
Want to make your own at home? Let me show you how!
Easy DIY Plantain Salve Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried plantain leaves (or a mix of plantain, calendula, chamomile, and St. John’s Wort)
- 1 cup olive oil (or other carrier oil like sunflower or sweet almond)
- 1-2 oz beeswax pellets (or grated)
- Optional: a few drops of lavender essential oil
Instructions:
- Infuse the Oil
Fill a glass jar at least halfway with herbs and fill the remaining space with oil. You can either:- Let it sit in a sunny window for 2–4 weeks, shaking daily, OR
- Gently heat it using the double boiler method for 2–3 hours (keep the temperature low, under 120°F if possible).
- Let it sit in a sunny window for 2–4 weeks, shaking daily, OR
- Strain the Oil
Use cheesecloth, a fine mesh strainer or a nut bag to strain out the herbs. Compost the plant matter. - Make the Salve
You’ll want a ratio of 1:4 for wax:oil (1oz wax for 4oz oil). In a double boiler, melt the beeswax into the infused oil. Stir until fully combined. - Pour and Set
Before pouring, have a small plate in the freezer and put a drop on the plate to test the texture. Adjust as needed or pour the melted salve into tins or small jars. Let cool completely before sealing.
Label and Store
Keep in a cool, dry place for up to a year. Use whenever skin needs love!
Safety Considerations
Plantain is very gentle and safe for most people—but here are a few quick notes:
- Always patch test a new herbal product if you have sensitive skin or allergies.
- Avoid contaminated areas (like roadsides or areas sprayed with chemicals) when harvesting wild plantain.
- Not for internal use in large quantities without professional guidance. While plantain can be taken as a tea, the focus here is topical.
Also, if you’re pregnant or nursing, always double-check with a trusted health practitioner before using new herbs.
Where Plantain Grows
Plantain grows just about everywhere—Canada, the U.S., Europe, Asia—you name it. If there’s soil and a bit of sun, there’s probably plantain.
It’s a resilient plant, often found in compacted soil, yards, trails, parks, and even sidewalks. And once you know how to spot it, you’ll start seeing it everywhere.
Why I Love It
For me, plantain represents the heart of herbalism. It’s accessible, gentle, and wildly effective. It reminds us that sometimes the most powerful remedies are right under our feet—literally.
I love that I can walk outside, pick a few leaves, and create something that brings relief and comfort to my family, friends, and clients.
I had a friend not too far from me that had a severe reaction to a bee sting (yes she did go to the hospital first). I gave her some leaves and she created a poultice and let it sit. She had a dramatic difference after 48 hours!
My daughter had a pretty bad reaction to what we think was a spider bite, it looked like it was a burn texture on her skin. I made a poultice with the plant, wrapped it and left it for the night and the redness and inflammation was significantly reduced the next day. This photo is actually her ankle showing what we did! After the second application, we just applied the salve to finish healing.
That’s the beauty of herbalism—it connects us back to the earth, to ourselves, and to the simple act of caring.
Whether you’re wildcrafting from your backyard or picking up a tin of Chill & Heal Salve from my herbal line, I hope this little herb makes its way into your life and your self-care routine.
Plantain isn’t flashy. It’s not trending on TikTok. But it works. And sometimes, that’s all we need.
So next time you’re outside, take a moment to kneel down, say hi to this green little healer, and maybe even pluck a few leaves for your next salve-making session. Trust me—your skin will thank you.
Want to try my Chill & Heal Salve?
Message me or visit my shop to grab a jar of this herbal healing magic.
Have questions or want to learn more about backyard herbs? Reach out anytime—I love helping people reconnect with the powerful plants all around them 🌿
Get ready! My Herbal Kitchen Cabinet ebook is coming out soon! Packed with plenty of herb knowledge of some of our most common kitchen herbs and more with easy recipes to do yourself right in your own kitchen. Now is the time to take control of your own health!
This study shows the efficacy of plantain herb for healing for burns. It worked just as well as a silver sulfadiazine cream (if not slightly better) for healing and preventing infections. The benefit is, plantain can be found out in nature and can be used for a number of uses and it’s super easy to make your own potent ointment.