Plantain weed uses have been known to help people in many different ways. From the traditional use as a way to heal wounds to its ability to heal scurvy. The weed is also a good way to control weeds around your home.
Common backyard weed
While you may think of weeds as a nuisance, they can be a great source of vitamins and minerals. Some are even edible!
One of the most common weeds that you have probably seen is chickweed. Chickweed is an excellent source of calcium and vitamins A, B, and C. You can use its leaves in salads or soups. It also makes a tasty herbal tea.
Another weed that you can eat is curly dock. These leaves are high in beta-carotene and fiber. They can be eaten raw or cooked. The petals are edible as well.
Cleavers are another weed that you may have noticed. Their hairs help them climb plants and people. As with many weeds, they are anti-inflammatory. However, you need to watch out for the tiny welts they leave behind. If you want to avoid them, remove them with gloves.
Wild strawberry is a weed that has many medicinal properties. For instance, it can be used to reduce fever and treat ringworm and boils. Fresh leaves can be applied to the skin to combat insect bites.
Dandelion is a leafy weed that has been used in the past for liver and kidney problems. In the modern world, it is used as a diuretic. Other uses include appetite stimulant and heartburn treatment.
Creeping Charlie, also known as ground ivy, is a weed that grows in a vining habit. Creeping Charlie has bright green leaves with scalloped edges.
Lambsquarters are another weed that is common in gardens. This weed grows fast and is a pest to vegetable crops. Those with a root crop such as beans, sugar beets, or potatoes can be especially at risk.
Besides being nutritious, weeds are an important part of your garden’s ecosystem. Many are beneficial to the wildlife. They also provide free protein and minerals.
Traditional remedy for scurvy
Known for its antibacterial and antioxidant properties, plantain is an old standby for treating wounds and insect bites. It is also useful in promoting breast milk production. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to take advantage of this plant, from eating it in its raw form to cooking its leaves and stems into tasty soups and stews.
Although plantain is one of the easiest wild plants to grow, it is not the only herb with some notable merits. There are several species of the plant that are both edible and medicinal. This article highlights a few of the better known.
The weed is a good source of vitamin C, and is also said to be a potent blood purifier. Aside from consuming it fresh, you can also mix it into orange juice. You can even try making a tea out of it.
In addition to its nutritional benefits, it can help you cure your scurvy. According to one study, it contains more than a third of the recommended amount of vitamin A.
It is also a great natural insect repellent, making it a worthy addition to your kitchen. As an added bonus, the young leaves are delicious. They pair well with milder fruits and veggies and make a nice addition to a salad.
Aside from its culinary and medical uses, it has been used in many alternative medicine and homeopathic cures. Plantain is known to relieve pain, and is a good choice when trying to avoid over the counter medications. Another interesting fact is that its seeds are able to live up to 60 years in the soil. Interestingly, the sap from the plant is fed to cattle to promote the flow of milk.
Skin soothing agent
Plantain is an herb with a variety of uses. It has an antibacterial and germicidal properties and is considered a great herbal remedy for wounds.
Historically, plantain has been used to treat wounds, sprains, rashes, and burns. Plantain can also help heal bruises. This is due to its ability to dislodge foreign material and inflammation.
Plantain can be used externally as a poultice or tincture, and internally as a tea or extract. A poultice works quickly to provide relief when nothing else can.
A tincture contains a concentrated form of plantain, which is a skin soothing agent. Plantain contains a compound called Allantoin, which promotes cell growth and encourages healing.
Plantain is a good source of vitamin C and helps to boost immunity. It is also a mild astringent. Fresh leaves can provide quick relief for itching.
Plantain leaves can be mixed with other herbs to create a nourishing balm. Some of the best herbs to use with plantain include Yarrow, Calendula, and Cottonwood bark.
Another great benefit of plantain is that it can be used as a natural analgesic. If you have an insect bite or a bee sting, a fresh plantain leaf can provide immediate relief. Plantain is highly rated for being effective on cuts, sprains, and bruises.
Plantain can be a great help in reducing the inflammation in the urinary tract. Many people experience low-grade irritation of their bladder and urethra, which can cause pain and other symptoms.
Plantain is also a great herb to use for acne. The extract has antibacterial and germicidal properties and can reduce the chance of scarring. In addition, it helps to relieve swelling and reduce inflammation.
Plantain is an effective herb for treating insect bites, bruises, and burns. It can also be used to relieve rashes, itchy skin, and a range of other inflammatory conditions.
Wound healer
Plantain is an edible weed that has been used for centuries as a healing herb. It contains antioxidants and Vitamin K that soothe inflammation and prevent rashes.
Plantain is also a good tincture for chronic hot conditions. It is said to help to speed up the healing process. As an expectorant, plantain helps to ease respiratory congestion and relieve coughing. In addition, it may also aid in the treatment of hemorrhoids.
Historically, plantains have been used by indigenous peoples to treat wounds. The mucilage content in plantains helps to sooth mucous membranes. This has led to it being known as a wound healer.
Plantain weed is also used for a variety of other ailments. Plantain can help soothe insect bites, dermatitis, burns, and sores. Plantains can be consumed raw or cooked. They contain antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties.
A fresh spit poultice is made by chewing plantain leaves and putting them on an infected area. By rubbing the mucilage on the affected area, it can reduce swelling, stop bleeding, and relieve pain. Using a band-aid to hold the poultice in place can also be helpful.
The common garden plantain has been used as a wound healer for many years. In a study, researchers found that the herb enhanced tissue repair.
It is also thought that plantains are beneficial to gastrointestinal problems. The seeds contain 30% mucilage that swells up in the gut and acts as a bulk laxative.
Although the effects of plantain on cancer are not fully known, its ability to reduce inflammation and reduce the symptoms of itching and burning make it a useful tincture. Taking the herb in combination with aloe vera can alleviate the symptoms of a variety of conditions.
Herbicides to control it
Plantain is a common weed found in both lawns and landscapes. It grows in a variety of soil conditions. The plant thrives in sandy and shady areas, and it grows well in lawns that are not maintained properly.
If your lawn is infested with plantains, you can get rid of them using herbicides. But, before you start using them, it is important to read the label and follow its instructions. Using a herbicide that is not recommended for use in your area can cause problems. You also need to take into account the weather. Some herbicides are harmful in extreme hot and cold temperatures. Besides, you must avoid applying them on windy days.
Depending on the type of weed, the best time to spray your lawn is when the plants are young and actively growing. This is generally between February and April. Alternatively, you can also apply it in the fall.
There are several types of postemergence herbicides. They include dicamba, mesotrione, and sulfentrazone. These are the most effective for controlling broadleaf plantain. However, they may require repeat applications to kill weakened perennial weeds.
Similarly, there are several preemergence herbicides. In addition to glyphosate, these include metribuzin, flumioxazin, naphthalene-based herbicides, and triclopyr.
When choosing a herbicide to control plantains, you need to be aware of the specific type of weed and its habitat. For instance, you might be better off using a preemergence herbicide on broadleaf plantain.
For broadleaf plantain, you can try to get rid of it manually by pulling it. You need to make sure that you remove the leaves, the stalk, and the tap root.
Another effective method is to use black plastic or landscape fabric. These products can kill the young plants before they have a chance to develop.
