If I were stranded with only one plant to choose for my garden, broad-leaved plantain would be my top choice.  The whole plant is completely edible, raw and cooked.  I’ve used it to help heal wounds, soothe irritated skin, and restore moisture and tone to mucus membranes.  An infusion of the leaves has lots of calcium, iron and vitamins.  It’s soothing, helps support digestion, and gently cools inflammatory conditions such as asthma and hayfever.

Once you have some plantain in your garden, it will self-seed and you will be grateful for the abundance of good food!  We cultivate it in all of our garden paths and in between beds.  It’s most productive in sun and rich moist soil, though it will grow in just about any conditions.