Plantago major aka Broadleaf Plantain ~ I can recall picking + playing with the plant as a child, making potions + soups in my mother's yard. In a world where everyone needs or wants everything backed by / proven by Science, it continues to amaze me to witness children's innate intuition and knowingness, before it's conditioned or cast out in many instances. 🌱 The Plantain herb is scientifically known as Plantago major, and is a low growing perennial plant belonging to the Plantaginaceae or the plantain family. It originated in Eurasia was initially cultivated for its highly regarded medicinal properties. It has spread to most of the world except the Arctic regions, and now grows easily throughout most of the United States and North America. 🌱 ‘Plantain’ is from the French word meaning ‘sole of the foot’ referring to the plant’s flat leaves. Early settlers and travelers used leaves + extracts of the broadleaf plantain to treat foot injuries, sore feet, cuts, insect bites, stings, ailments of the eyes, tongue, mouth and more. It is used widely in poultices to treat insect bites and stings, or to soothe cuts and scrapes. Broadleaf plantain was cultivated in monasteries for its vast medicinal properties. It has antimicrobial + antioxidant attributes, and broadleaf plantain has been documented in various Scientific Studies to possess anti-inflammatory + anti-tumor properties. It also has been shown to boost the immune system, help treat ulcers, diarrhea + fatigue. The medicinal value of broadleaf plantain can be attributed to the various biochemical constituents, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acid derivatives and terpenoids present in it. Broadleaf plantain is also a highly nutritious wild edible that is high in calcium & vitamins A, C, and K, with its spinach like leaves being utilized in salads and stews. 💫 Read the full blog post + scientific studies at the Ancient Wisdom meets Modern Science Blog on www.elevatedessences.com/blog 💚 #herbs #herbalism #broadleafplantain #plantains #herbalallies #herbalist #herbalismblog #ancientwisdom #modernscience #elevatedessences #apothecaryshop #plantfriends #knowledgeispower #innatewisdom #plantpower https://www.instagram.com/p/CRcmFshMq2x/?utm_medium=tumblr