Common Name: Che Qian Zi

General Information

Plantago asiatica is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a fibrous rootstock. It produces a cluster of basal leaves usually 2 - 15cm long, occasionally to 27cm, and erect flowering stems from 3 - 40cm long[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a fod and a medicine. The young leaves are sometimes sold in local food marhets in Korea[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia

Habitat

Mountain slopes, ravines, riverbanks, fields, roadsides, wastelands, lawns; at elevations from near sea level to 3,800 metres[]. Woods and waste ground in lowland and mountains all over Japan[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.25 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Plantago asiatica is moderately cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to at least -15°c[].
Succeeds in any moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[].
Closely related to Plantago major and included as a sub-species of that plant by some botanists[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked[]. Rather fibrous, unless they are very young, they have a slightly bitter flavour[]. Used as 'namul' in Korea - this is a cooked side dish prepared by steaming or blanching the vegetables, placing them in small serving bowls with sesame oil seasoning and serving them at room temperature[].

Medicinal

The leaves and the seed are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antitussive, cardiac, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic. Assists the repair of joints[, , ].
The seed is used internally in the treatment of a variety of ailments including asthma, bladder problems, bronchitis, fever, hypertension and rheumatism[, , ].
The leaves are also used for these purposes, though they are considered to be less powerful than the seed[].
The leaves can be harvested at any time in the growing season, and are used fresh or dried[].

A decoction of the roots is used in the treatment of coughs[].

Plantain seeds contain up to 30% mucilage which swells up in the gut, acting as a bulk laxative and soothing irritated membranes[]. Sometimes the seed husks are used without the seeds[].
Extracts of the plant have antibacterial activity[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer
A sowing can be made outdoors in situ in mid to late spring if you have enough seeds.