Plantago major – Plantain

PARTS USED:

• Aerial parts – leaf, seeds

USES:

An ancient remedy with known usage as far back as 4000 years ago. Used in Arabic and European medicine
Healing properties – heals tissues; antimicrobial, especially topical

• Cuts and bruises
• Stings and bites
• Burns (as good as silver sulfadine – silver is an antimicrobial)
• Skin ulcers
• Anti-inflammatory
• Toothaches, oral sores, gingivitis

Analgesic
Astringent properties – drying; stops the loss of fluids, especially with open wounds

• Hemorrhage
• Heavy menstruation
• Hemorrhoids
• Diarrhea

Soothing Expectorant

• Asthma, bronchitis
• Chronic cough

Soothes GI tract

• Gastric ulcers
• Dyspepsia
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Diuretic

• Helpful with urinary retention
• Helps flush kidneys/bladder
• Helps reduce the size of kidney stones

Liver Tonic and Healer

• Clears congestion
• Helps in drug toxicity/overdose

Earache
Anticonvulsant – used as treatment for epilepsy
Eye issues – conjunctivitis, styes – use juice of squeezed leaf or an infusion
Vitamin Content

• Magnesium
• Iron
• Calcium
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C

May be useful for glycemic control in Type II DM (particularly the seeds)
Antimicrobial (Antibiotic, Antifungal)

• Thrush (crushed leaves and juice mixed with honey; let it coat the tongue – don’t swallow right away)
• Lung infections
• Skin infections
• GI infections

Immune-enhancing effects

• Antioxidant
• Stimulates lymphocytes
• Activates macrophages
• Shown to be effective in colon and cervical cancers; may be beneficial in cases of leukemia and other cancers
• Helps control allergies

Cardiovascular properties:

• Anti-cholesterolemic
• May inhibit progression of atherosclerosis
• Helps inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme