Plantain Leaf (Plantago lanceolata)

Plantain leaf grows on the plant Plantago lanceolata. It is known by several common names, including Common plantain, Greater plantain, as well as Soldier's herb. The leaves of this plant are deeply veined, and the plant itself is an herbaceous perennial. It reseeds very easily and can be invasive in some areas. Dried Plantain leaf is typically steeped as a tea, and in herbal medicine traditions has commonly been used to reduce skin inflammation and intermittent fever. Plantago lanceolata contains acubin, which is a coagulant. For this reason in centuries past, it was commonly used as a wound dressing for soldiers on the battlefield, and thus the name Soldier's herb came about. It should not be confused with the banana-looking plantain, which is a plant in the Musa genus and not related to the Plantain genus of Plantago lanceolata.