Hortus Botanicus Leiden, Netherlands

Common name: Grote weegbree, Common plantain

Family: Plantaginaceae (Plantain family)

Distribution: Eurasia

Life form: Perennial

Comments: Medieval Plants Tour - The medieval Dutch name for plantain is ‘weegbree’, which means ‘wide road’; it is a small plant with wide leaves that is often found beside the road. It was used for treating blisters and the wide leaves were handy, because they could be applied directly as a sort of bandage. The Latin name for this plant, plantago, is derived from planta pedis, which means ‘sole of the foot, which the wide flat leaves certainly resemble. Apart from being used on blisters, plantain leaves were also applied to other bumps and bruises in the Middle Ages, and they were supposed to be excellent for healing wounds. The plant was also thought to be able to neutralise the venom in a snake bite and eradicate large boils. And plantain could also deter mad dogs.