Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses:

Young leaves - raw or cooked[12, 46, 61]. They are rather bitter and very tedious to prepare, the fibrous strands are best removed prior to eating[9, 183]. The very young leaves are somewhat better and are less fibrous[K]. Seed - cooked. Used like sago[177, 183]. The seed can be ground into a powder and added to flours when making bread, cakes or whatever.

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibacterial  Antidote  Astringent  Demulcent  Expectorant  Haemostatic  Laxative  Ophthalmic  
Poultice

Ribwort plantain is a safe and effective treatment for bleeding, it quickly staunches blood flow and encourages the repair of damaged tissue[254]. The leaves contain mucilage, tannin and silic acid[244]. An extract of them has antibacterial properties[240]. They have a bitter flavour and are astringent, demulcent, mildly expectorant, haemostatic and ophthalmic[9, 13, 21, 145, 165, 222, 244, 254]. Internally, they are used in the treatment of a wide range of complaints including diarrhoea, gastritis, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhage, haemorrhoids, cystitis, bronchitis, catarrh, sinusitis, asthma and hay fever[238, 254]. They are used externally in treating skin inflammations, malignant ulcers, cuts, stings etc[4]. The heated leaves are used as a wet dressing for wounds, swellings etc[213, 222]. The root is a remedy for the bite of rattlesnakes, it is used in equal portions with Marrubium vulgare[207]. The seeds are used in the treatment of parasitic worms[213]. Plantain seeds contain up to 30% mucilage which swells up in the gut, acting as a bulk laxative and soothing irritated membranes[238]. Sometimes the seed husks are used without the seeds[238]. A distilled water made from the plant makes an excellent eye lotion[7].

Dye  Fibre  Starch

A good fibre is obtained from the leaves[4], it is said to be suitable for textiles[115]. A mucilage from the seed coats is used as a fabric stiffener[4]. It is obtained by macerating the seed in hot water[100, 115]. Gold and brown dyes are obtained from the whole plant[168]. Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest