Plantain: Nature’s Band-Aid
Plantain: Nature's Band-Aid
Written by Anne Ambs, Allergy and Asthma Center of NC, Cone Health Medical Group
For this week’s adventure, I had to go no further than my own
back yard, much to my chagrin, to find plantain weeds nestled in among the other
herbaceous plants and bushes. This plant, which originated in Eurasia, has followed
human migration patterns throughout history and is now found in nearly every
state in the US. The genus Plantago, commonly referred to as plantain,
includes over 200 species and is widely distributed around the world. Most are herbaceous
perennials with similar growth patterns. Herbaceous plants have flexible green
stems with few to no woody parts. Low to the ground, the leaves grow in a
rosette pattern with a spikelike flowering structure towering above it. This
plant’s leaves are low enough to the ground to evade lawn mower blades and are tough
enough to bounce back to life, even if stepped on.
Historically speaking, plantain weed has long been
considered a symbol of unity and simplicity. Its leaves and seeds have been used
in folk medical remedies and ceremonial uses including healing, purification,
and spells or rituals to attract prosperity and protection. Modern day medicine
continues to explore the medical uses of the plantain leaves and seeds. A quick
internet search reveals lotions and potions with wide-ranging claims.
It is estimated that about half of modern pharmaceutical
medications originated from plants, and plantain weeds have contributed
generously. Reported benefits include antibacterial and antifungal properties, digestion
aid, healing small wounds, halting bleeding, and boosting immune function. One
study conducted by the National Institute of Health noted plantain to be a safe
and suitable compound to treat second-degree burns, in addition to having
analgesic and antimicrobial properties.
Even though bees are attracted to plantain pollen, the main
mechanism for plantain pollination is windborne pollen grains. A plantain pollen
grain’s small size (26-31 micrometers in diameter) allows easy entry into the
nose, lungs, and eyes, which can lead to those pesky allergy symptoms. Some
common allergy symptoms caused by plantain pollen include sneezing, nasal
congestion, scratchy throat, runny nose, postnasal drainage with frequent
throat clearing, coughing, headache, allergic rash, and even a possible asthma
flare.
Image 2: (taken by Forsyth County staff on June 9, 2025): English plantain (Plantago lanceolata) pollen that is roughly 30 microns in diameter. The pink color is from a dye called Calberla’s stain that is used to make pollen grains easier to see for counting and identification.
With a variety of pollen circulating in the air at this time
of the year, you may be wondering how you can identify which pollen is causing
your allergy symptoms. Cross reactivity, especially between plantain weed
pollen and grass pollen, occurs when an individual who is allergic to one of
these pollens is likely to react to the other.
An allergist can help evaluate which pollen (or other environmental
factors) are causing allergy symptoms with skin testing or blood testing. The most common environmental allergy testing includes
grass pollen, weed pollen, ragweed pollen, tree pollen, molds, dust mites, dogs,
cats, and cockroaches. Once the culprit(s) have been identified, a
comprehensive treatment plan can be formulated. Allergy symptoms are largely
controlled with over-the-counter antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays;
however, if medications are not providing relief, allergen immunotherapy may
prove to be an effective treatment option.
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