A very useful plant

The flowerhead of the Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata, one of the commonest European plants. It is also known by the common names English plantain, buckhorn plantain, narrowleaf plantain, ribleaf and lamb's tongue. Not to be confused with the plantain of the tropics which is a cooking banana!

The genus Plantago contains about 200 other species of small, inconspicuous plants all commonly called plantains. According that that font of all knowledge, Wikipedia, plantains have been used since prehistoric times as herbal remedies; being astringent, anti-toxic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, as well as demulcent, expectorant, styptic and diuretic. Externally, a poultice of the leaves is useful for insect bites, poison-ivy rashes, minor sores, and boils. In folklore it is even claimed to be able to cure snakebite. Internally, it is used for coughs and bronchitis, as a tea, tincture, or syrup.

The plantain was one of the nine plants used in the preparation of the pagan Nine Herbs Charm, recorded by the Anglo-Saxons in the 10th century. The charm was used for treatment of poison and infection. At that time the plant was known by the Old English name Wegbrade. The other eight herbs used in the charm were

Mucgwyrt (Mugwort), Attorlaðe (Cockspur Grass or Betony), Stune (Lamb's Cress), Mægðe (Mayweed or Chamomile), Stiðe (Nettle), Wergulu (Crab-apple), Fille (Thyme), and Finule (Fennel).

So, next time you can't get an appointment at the Doctor's Surgery you might do worse than trying a bit of plantain!