Ribwort plantain has been a go-to natural remedy for centuries, and it’s still one of the best ways to fight off a stubborn cough today. In fact, you’ll find it as a key ingredient in many store-bought cough syrups. To get ahead of cold and flu season, I always recommend keeping a small stash of dried plantain in your pantry.
Harvesting Plantain for Drying
If you’ve planted plantain in your garden, you can harvest the leaves regularly. Even the wild “weeds” you dig out of your lawn can be used fresh or dried! If you’re foraging in the wild, just make sure you’re picking from a clean spot. Avoid busy roadsides or popular dog-walking paths for obvious reasons.
For the best results, harvest the leaves before the plant starts to flower—that’s when the medicinal properties are at their peak. Snip the leaves near the ground and give them a quick wipe with a dry cloth. Avoid washing them with water, as damp leaves tend to turn brown and lose their potency during the drying process. Here are a few easy ways to dry them:
- Drape the leaves over a clothesline.
- String them together with a needle and thread and hang them up.
- Use a baking sheet in the oven.
- Lay them out side-by-side on a tray lined with paper towels.
If you’re air-drying, make sure the spot is dry with a bit of a breeze. Within a few days, they should be “crinkle-dry” and ready to pop into a glass jar.
If you prefer using the oven, line a tray with parchment paper and spread the leaves out so they aren’t overlapping. Preheat your oven to no more than 100°F (40°C). Pro tip: Keep the oven door cracked open slightly (prop it with a wooden spoon) to let the moisture escape. Once the leaves crumble easily between your fingers, they’re done! Let them cool completely before sealing them in jars.
How to Use Your Dried Plantain
Since you won’t find fresh plantain in your garden or the local fields during the winter, having a dried supply in your home apothecary is a lifesaver. A warm cup of plantain tea with a spoonful of honey is a fantastic remedy for coughs, bronchitis, and general congestion. It’s also great for our furry friends! Rabbits and horses benefit from it too. It’s a wonderful supplement for bunnies, and horse owners often use plantain tea in the winter to help soothe respiratory irritation caused by dry stable air.
