Ribwort Plantain - Wild Herbs

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Ribwort Plantain - Wild Herbs
Ribwort Plantain - Wild Herbs

Video: Ribwort Plantain - Wild Herbs

Video: Ribwort Plantain - Wild Herbs
Video: Wild medicinal herbs broad leaf plantain and ribwort plantain for antihistamines 2024, March
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Ribwort plantain

As an almost indestructible highwayman, the ribwort plantain endures kicks and drought patiently. It's hard to believe that with his humble appearance he is keeping a mushroom-like secret…

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  • Continue reading
  • more on the subject
  • Botany
  • Ingredients, smell and taste
  • Use and preparation

Botany

The ribwort (Plantago lanceolata) belongs to the plant family of the plantain family (Plantaginaceae) and is ten to 50 centimeters high. You can find it in meadows, fields and on roadsides. It can be clearly recognized by its long, lanceolate leaves (up to 25 centimeters long) with clearly visible, parallel veins. The leaves are arranged as a rosette close to the ground. The long, thin, leafless stem emerges in the middle and ends in a bulb-shaped flower spike. The ribwort does not develop a conspicuous flower, only white-yellowish stamens are used for reproduction.

Note The ribwort plantain can easily be confused with many other plantain species. But don't worry: all plantain species are edible and non-toxic.

Ingredients, smell and taste

The ribwort plantain contains, among other things, vitamin C and B vitamins as well as various minerals such as silica, zinc and potassium. Ribwort plantain also contains mucilage, bitter substances (iridoids) and tannins.

The leaves and flower spikes of the ribwort have a taste of mushrooms. The aroma is most intense in the buds, closed ears.

Use and preparation

Ribwort plantain leaves, flower spikes, roots and seeds are edible. Leaves and flowers can be eaten raw or steamed. Preferably harvest young leaves from the center of the rosette, they are less bitter. The mushroom-like aroma of the leaves comes out best when they are steamed. The leaves are cut across the leaf veins. The root should be boiled until soft before consumption.

Young, closed buds of the flower spikes should be used because they are the most aromatic. You can recognize the young flower spikes by their darker color.

Ribwort plantain is used in soups, salads, smoothies, as a vegetable ingredient or herbs in various dishes, as a spinach substitute or preserved in vinegar. The flower spikes can also be placed in honey or syrup.

Naturopathy

Naturopathy uses ribwort for respiratory diseases such as coughing, to promote wound healing and against itching.

Further information on wild plants and herbs is available on the website of “die umweltberatung” and in the information sheet on vitamins from wild plants and seedlings.

You can find more information and posters to print out under (Wild) Herbs: Brochures & Forms.

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