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The Uses of English Plantains

English plantain (Plantago lanceolata), also known as ribwort plantain, is a grassy plant with 6-inch to 12-inch-long leaves and small flowers that grow around a central spike. It is native to Eurasia, but now grows wild in many parts of the U.S. It favors sunny environments with heavy, dry soil. While it bears little resemblance to more familiar fruit-bearing plantain plants, it still serves a wide range of practical purposes.

Livestock Feed
- In Europe, English plantain was traditionally considered to be good feed for sheep, who were attracted to the viscous juice in its leaves. It was often planted in pastures where sheep grazed. In England, English plantain seeds were included in commercial grass seed mixtures intended to provide cover and fodder on grazing grounds. English plantain was not cultivated extensively apart from this usage, however.
Traditional Medicinal Uses
- English plantain leaves and leaf juice traditionally served several medicinal roles. The juice was thought to promote healing of wounds when applied externally and to alleviate fevers when ingested. Some folk traditions claim the juice can also be taken to alleviate respiratory and digestive disorders. Tea made from the leaves was used to alleviate congestion.
Modern Medicinal Uses
- Some of the claimed medical benefits of English plantains have been clinically confirmed, and commercially-made preparations containing English plantain juice or extract are currently available. Among its current medically accepted uses are alleviating colds, fevers, coughs, oral inflammation and skin inflammation.
Use in Textiles
- English plantain seeds have a gelatinous coating. In France, textile makers formerly extracted this coating from the seeds by soaking the seeds in water; they then used it to stiffen certain types of muslin and other woven fabrics.

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