Plantain

Plantago major

Plantain Ribwort Snakeweed Parts used Uses Habitat and cultivation Constituents Applications Revitalizing green juice

Common plantain is a very common weed found in lawns, backyards, gardens, and roadsides all over America. Plantain is a hardy perennial and, like the dandelion, must be taken out by the roots if it once gets firmly established in a yard. Its leaves are broadly ovate, entire or toothed, and characterized by a thick, channeled footstalk. The flower stalks grow for 7-20 inches high and are tipped with long, slender spikes of greenish-white flowers whose color is again overshadowed by brownish sepals and bracts.

Plantain is famous as a wound healer and an antidote to poisons. Plantain clears heat, congestion and toxins from the body, useful in treating fevers, infections and skin problems. Its mucilage has a soothing effect particularly in the respiratory, digestive and urinary systems. It protects their mucous linings from irritation and relaxes spasm in asthma and colic; plantain soothes the cough reflex, relieving harsh, tickly, and nervous coughs. The tannins are astringent, useful to reduce swelling and inflammation, staunching bleeding and encouraging healing, explaining its traditional use for tuberculosis, bleeding in the stomach and bowels, vomiting of blood, diarrhea and colitis, and for excessive menstrual bleeding.

Plantain depresses the secretion of mucous, particularly in the respiratory system - useful when treating colds, catarrh, sinusitis, bronchial congestion and allergic conditions such as hay fever and asthma. Its expectorant action clears phlegm from the chest. It can be used for catarrhal congestion in the middle ear, glue ear and ear infections. The antiseptic action of plantain augments its success as a remedy for respiratory complaints such as colds, sore throats, tonsillitis and chest infections. Plantain also helps clear stomach and bowel infections, as well as urinary infections, cystitis, prostatis and urethritis, soothing and reducing the pain and irritation of colic. Plantain is a useful remedy for prostatic enlargement.

PARTS USED

Leaves, seeds.

USES

Common plantain quickly staunches blood flow and encourages the repair of damaged tissue. Plantain may be used instead of comfrey (Symphytum officinale) in treating bruises and broken bones. An ointment or lotion may be used to treat hemorrhoids, fistulae (abnormal passages in the skin), and ulcers. Taken internally, common plantain is diuretic, expectorant, and decongestant. Plantain is commonly prescribed for gastritis, peptic ulcers, diarrhea, dysentery, irritable bowel syndrome, respiratory congestion, loss of voice, and urinary tract bleeding.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Common plantain is native to Europe and temperate regions of Asia. Rarely cultivated, plantain is normally picked from the wild. The leaves are gathered throughout the summer.

CONSTITUENTS

Common plantain contains iridoids (such as aucubin, also found in Euphrasia species), flavonoids (including apigenin), tannins, plant acids, and mucilage. Aucubin increases uric acid excretion by the kidneys; apigenin is anti-inflammatory.

APPLICATIONS

LEAVES:

JUICE - Press from fresh leaves. Take 10 ml, three times a day, for inflamed mucous membranes in cystitis, diarrhea, and lung infections.

TINCTURE (P. lanceolata) - Make from fresh leaves if possible. Good for heavy mucus, as in allergic rhinitis, or if astringency is needed.

POULTICE - Apply fresh leaves to bee stings and slow-healing wounds.

OINTMENT (P. major) - Apply to wounds, burns, and hemorrhoids.

WASH - Use the juice for inflammations, sores, and wounds.

GARGLE - Use the diluted juice for sore throats and mouth or gum inflammations.

SYRUP - Take a syrup made from the juice for coughs, particularly if the throat is sore or inflamed.

SEEDS:

INFUSION - For constipation, pour a  cup of boiling water over 1 tsp of either seed. Cool, then drink the mucilage and the seeds at night.

REVITALIZING GREEN JUICE

• 3 cups (180 g) fresh plantain leaves
• 1 cups (250 ml) pure liquid honey
• 1 opaque glass bottle

Crush the leaves in a food processor, drain and squeeze in cheesecloth. Combine 1 cup (250 ml) of the green juice with the honey and simmer for 10 minutes at low heat, stirring regularly. Let cool and pour into the opaque bottle.
Take this nectar 1 spoonful at a time like a syrup to treat a cough; also use it to treat a sore throat, anemia, fatigue and eczema: 1 T (15 ml), 3 times daily.