Plantain leaf

Habitat & Origin

Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) grows in meadows, roadsides, and open grasslands with light to moderately fertile soils. For infusions, mainly the young spring leaves are harvested because of their soft structure and fresh, green aroma. The leaves are washed, spread out, and dried slowly to preserve their dry, leafy character. Maison Tisane selects material based on color, leaf consistency, and pure leaf profile without brown edges.

Active compounds

Plantain leaf contains mucilage, iridoids, soft bitters, and green aromatic components that together form the dry yet mild leaf structure. These compounds give infusions a quiet, nuanced basis with a subtle green rounding, as if a streak of morning air runs through the cup. In blends, plantain works as a silent stabilizer that tempers sweetness and organizes spiciness.

Ayurvedic approach

Plantain leaf has a cool, dry signature that mainly relieves Pitta and orders Kapha, while Vata is approached with softness due to the dryness. In European path traditions, plantain was known as the 'footstep leaf': a plant that grew along roads and symbolized guidance and simplicity. Energetically, the leaf feels like morning air through open grasslands — fresh, precise, slightly astringent, and calmly structuring.

Flavour profile & Blending