Medicinal plant: PLANTAIN
Scientific name: Plantago major, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago media
Also knows as: piharatamo, plantain, plataggine, shazenshi, groblad
Plantain is a low-growing perennial widely naturalized in North America; it can be found growing everywhere from roadsides to lawns and even between the cracks in sidewalks. The Saxons called it "waybroad", because it was so often found by the wayside. And the story goes that this plant was once a beautiful young girl, who was changed into plantain for refusing to leave the roadway where she expected her lover to appear. As a medicinal herb it was highly rated by Pliny, who attributed to it the ability to fuse together pieces of flesh cocking in a pot, and to cure the madness of dogs - or their bites. It was often recommended as an antidote to poison and in the US it was held to be remedy for rattle-snake bite by native tribes.
Plantain is a small, 40 cm or 16 in high, it has a basal rosette of ovate leaves and cylindrical spikes of inconspicuous brownish-green flowers.The five to seven leaves grown in a basal rosette and they are ovate and somewhat toothed, with strong parallel fibers. P. major has broad leaves, P lanceolata has narrow leaves, and P media has leaves somewhere between the widths of the other three species. The inconspicuous flowers are borne on a cylindrical spike that can be up to 15 inches tall. Later this spike becomes filled with numerous seeds.
Plantain is native of Europe and introduced in other temperate zones worldwide. Occurs widely in cultivated land, garden paths and lawns, fields, wastelands and roadsides. Said to prefer moist soil, but tolerates any conditions in sun or shade. Self-seeds freely. In the garden, plantain prefers full sun to partial shade and moist oil.
Plantain was thought to promote healing and to have anti bacterial properties. Mainly used as a poultice or in ointments to be applied externally to wounds, sores, ulcers, bites and stings.
Plantago lanceolata is considered the most therapeutic and P. major the most diuretic. Plantain leaf clears heat and toxins, reduces inflammation, deters infection, promotes tissue repair, and soothes irritated mucous membranes. It is used in the treatment of AIDS, allergic rhinitis, asthma, bedwetting, blood in the urine, blood poisoning, bronchitis, catarrh, colitis, cough, cystitis, debility, diarrhea dysentery, dysuria, earaches, eczema, fever, gastritis, hay fever, hemorrhoids, herpes, injury, irritable bowel syndrome laryngitis, menorrhagia, neuralgia, psoriasis scrofula, sore throat, thirst, tuberculosis, ulcers, urinary tract infection urinary stones and vision weakness.
The seeds have a mucilaginous effect and swell in the body, acting as a bulk laxative. They are used to lower cholesterol and to treat edema, hypertension, and infertility.
Topically, plantain is considered a supreme drawing agent in that it helps draw toxins fro the body. It also is excellent for the topical healing of damaged tissue. It can be employed as a poultice or compress in the treatment of bee stings mastitis, poison ivy/oak, ringworm snakebite, splinters, sunburn swelling, toothache, ulcers, and wounds. Plantain can also be made into a gargle to treat a sore throat or an eyewash to treat blepharitis and conjunctivitis It can be used as a hair rinse for dandruff, a douche for leukorrhea and vaginitis, a wash for irritated eyes, and an enema for intestinal infection.
As a flower essence, plantain encourages enjoyment of life and strength in being grounded and clears negative thoughts.
Contraindications:
Plantain is generally regarded as safe.
