RICHFIELD, Ohio — Many people treat their lawns and flower beds with weed killers, but they may be getting rid of some very beneficial plants.
One of those plants is the broad leafed plantain; a common plant that is native to Ohio.
According to plant expert Laura Fry of Stone Garden Farm, broad leafed plantains can treat a variety of ailments.
"We use it a lot here on the farm. As a mother of five kids, it comes in very handy," Fry told WKYC photojournalist Carl Bachtel.
According to Fry, the plant has properties of an anti-inflammatory and can detoxify.
"Our kids run around on the farm in bare feet, and we have a lot of ground bees and wasps, so when they get stung, I grab a leaf of plantain, chew it up, then place it on the sting."
It acts as a poultice and draws the poison out, relieving the pain and itch.
Plantain can also be dried and made into a tea that helps many digestive ailments. Fry, who teaches homesteading and wild edible gathering and cooking classes also makes natural soaps and salves with the plant.
To learn more about broad leafed plantains and Stone Garden Farm, click here.
So, according to our expert, broad leaf plantain is definitely more than an annoying weed, and that's been verified.
If you have anything you'd like us to verify, drop a line to verify@wkyc.com or contact us through our Facebook page.