This Ancient Herbal Medicine Is Right In Our Back Yards, Maine

Facebook has a way of making you skeptical of just about everything you come across, so when I found this little bit of info, I had to look into it.  This time, it seems Facebook has actually taught me something that was true.

That's surprising within itself but what I learned about something found so commonly in our yards surprised me even more.

I grew up in Maine knowing it as part of the lawn and nothing more.  Well, maybe a weed.  But, now I know we've been surrounded by a little plant that has held it's weight in history as a healing and nourishes!  Who knew.

This is the common plantain, broad-leaved plantain or Plantago major, and is found LITERALLY everywhere.  It's a perennial that actively grows in the spring and summer.  They look pretty ordinary.

But, according to the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health (legit), this plant has been used since ancient times to help with all kinds of ailments including constipation, coughs and wounds.

The University of Michigan gives us a nice list of what ailments this plant was used to help with, though scientific evidence may not be available on whether the plant truly is effective.

Herbalists have used the leaves and seeds of this common lawn plant for bronchitis and coughs, burns, insect bites, ulcers and also used for faster wound healing.  The

They are also, if you want to try it, nutritious: high in calcium and vitamins A, C, and K.  The leaves are known to be used in Asian dishes.

Look out for this cool little plant in your back yard as the grass gets greener and maybe you could take this knowledge with you next time you go camping.