Plantago lanceolata, a herb with multiple uses

View of the plantago lanceolata

Image – Wikimedia Commons / Algirdas

It is always interesting to know the herbs that grow in the places where we live, since this way you can know if they have any use that can benefit you in any way. That is exactly what happens with him lanceolate plantagoan herb that grows almost anywhere dry, and is also very beautiful.

As if that were not enough, it has medicinal uses. Uses that you can discover yourself in your home because, although it is not used to have as an ornamental garden plant, it is important to say that its cultivation is very, very simple.

Origin and characteristics of lanceolate plantago

View of the lesser plantain

Image – Flickr / Harry Rose

Known as plantain minor or seven veins, it is a lively herbaceous herbthat is, living for several years, originally from Europe, America and Western Asia. We will find it on the slopes, on the edges of roads and, in general, in any terrain where there is dirt and a little humidity.

Reaches a height of 30 to 50 centimetersand develops a basal rosette of lanceolate or ovate leaves, which have between 3 and 7 veins. The flowers are grouped in dense white or purple spikes. And the fruit is dry, containing between 4 and 16 seeds.

What is your cultivation?

Considering that it has medicinal properties, it does not hurt to know how it can be grown. Let’s see what you need to be healthy:

Location

The lesser plantain is a herb that grows both in the sun and in semi-shadebut we recommend putting it in a place directly exposed to the sun in order to make it grow stronger.

Earth

Not demanding. However, if you are going to have it in a pot, fill it with quality universal substrate (like this one they sell here!); and if it is to be in the soil, it must be neutral or clayey, with good drainage.

Irrigation

The flowers of the lesser plantain are white

The frequency of irrigation will vary depending on the year, but it must be taken into account that it is a plant that resists drought relatively well. Therefore, During the summer it will be necessary to water about 3 times a week, while the rest of the year about 2 a week will suffice.

Every time you water, be sure to thoroughly soak all the soil or substrate. For this you can insert a thin wooden stick to the bottom. When you remove it, if you see that a lot of soil has adhered to it, it is because it has been watered well 🙂.

Avoid wetting the leaves, especially if the sun hits them at that time as they could burn quickly. It is always better to only water the soil.

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You can pay for lesser plantain in spring and summerfor example with guano (for sale here!) or some herbivorous animal manure. Anyway, if you are going to plant it in the ground, it is not necessary to fertilize it, because with the nutrients it finds in the soil it will be able to grow without problems.

Multiplication

It is an herb that multiplies by seeds in springfollowing this step by step:

  1. First, fill a seedling tray (for sale here!) with universal substrate.
  2. Then, water well, conscientiously, so that the substrate is soaked.
  3. Then, place a maximum of two seeds in each socket and cover them with a thin layer of substrate.
  4. Finally, with the help of a sprayer / atomizer, moisten the surface layer of the substrate with water.

Now you will only have to place the seedbed outside, in semi-shade or in full sun and keep the substrate moist. In a few days you will see your first plantains germinate.

Planting or transplanting time

In springwhen the frosts have passed.

If you do seedbeds, you can plant them in the garden or transfer them to individual pots when you see roots coming out of the drainage holes.

Pruning

More than I could, what you have to do is remove the dry leaves as well as the withered flowers. Do it with scissors previously disinfected with pharmacy alcohol or with a few drops of dishwasher.

Rusticity

Resists cold and frost down to -7ºC. If you live in an area where winter is harsher, protect the lanceolate plantago in a greenhouse or indoors.

What is the lesser plantain for?

Lesser plantain is medicinal

As a medicinal plant

The lanceolate plantago It is an herb that, since the time of the ancient Egyptians, has been used for its medicinal properties, as it is a very good natural treatment for various diseases. In fact, the syrup Lesser plantain can be taken to treat bronchitis, colds and asthma; the eyewash is a good remedy for conjunctivitis, and in ointment with olive and wax it will serve as a healing, regenerator of the skin and to treat infected wounds.

As an ornamental plant

It is true that it is not used much as a garden plant, but it is beautiful and it is always worth reserving a space for one that, as we have seen, has medicinal uses 🙂.

What do you think?

Plantago lanceolata, a herb with multiple uses

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