Respiratory
tract
: Because of its content in
mucilages, it performs emollient properties, that's to say
it soothes the respiratory mucous membrane, so it is used
to cure sore throat of wounds in the mouth,
caused by infections. Also very suitable to treat aphonia
or coarse voice. ( Apply mouthwashes with the liquid of
an infusion on a teaspoon of dry leaves in a cup of water.
This liquid can be swallowed.)
At the same time, The antibacterial properties of this plant
can be profited to eliminate microorganisms produced by
respiratory tract diseases. Taking into account its decongestive
and expectorant properties to unswell the respiratory tracts
and help to expel mucosities that can develop there. By
combining these three properties, this plant can be used
for a wide range of respiratory diseases: cough, pharyngitis,
laryngitis, bronchitis, tuberculosis,...etc.
( Syrup of the fresh plant. How to do it? : mash the plant,
filter the liquid. Mix it with sugar in the same proportion,
diluting it previously by putting the pot in hot water.
Take three spoonfuls a day. Bactericide properties of this
plant are spoilt by heating it, so it is better to prepare
a cold infusion to treat bacterial infections. As emollient,
an infusion of a teaspoon of dry leaves for a cup of water
can be made. Take three cups a day. )
Astringent:
Being very rich in tannins, it has got astringent properties,
very adequate to stop diarrhea.
( Infusion of a teaspoon of dry leaves for a cup of water.
Drink 3 cups a day) This very infusion is suitable for colon
inflammation ( colitis) or intestine inflammation ( enterocolitis)
. A couple of spoonfuls a day of this syrup helps to diminish
pain caused by a stomach ulcer.
Constipation:
The seeds of plantain, very rich in mucilages, can be used
to treat constipation. As a matter of fact, the mixed
seeds of some varieties of plantains are used to produce
psyllium, a complement widely used to avoid constipation.
( Take from 1 to 3 spoonfuls of seeds a day with a lot of
water. A couple of liters of water
as minimum. Otherwise, it may produce intestine occlusions.
Do not take it if you suffer allergic reactions to the plant.
)
Diuretic:
The juice of plantain, prepared as we have seen before, exerts
a diuretic function so that it seems profitable in slimming
diets ( Infusion of a teaspoon of dry leaves in a cup of water.
Drink a cup everyday)
Hemostatic:
Plantain has been proved to be a good hemostatic plant, that's
to say it favors blood coagulation in wounds. This property
can be very appropriate not only to treat wounds produced
in the outer part of the body, resulting from a cut or a traumatism,
but also to those internal ones which are produced when little
veins or capillaries are broken. Among many others applications,
we could mention anal bleeding produced by hemorrhoids.
In the same way, it can stop urination hemorrhages
as a consequence of little injuries in the urinary bladder.
It may also help healing anal fistulas. ( Infusion
of a teaspoon of dry plant in a cup of water. Drink 3 cups
a day)
External
use
Vulnerary:
The fresh leaves of plantain are one of the best vulneraries.
They help the body to heal wounds and promote scar formation.
This property is attributed so much to their content in tannins
as well as alantolin. Tannins function as hemostatic and cicatrizant.
It is a substance that stimulates epidermis cell growing and
replaces those cells that were injured, so it produces their
regeneration. This is the reason why this component is used
by the cosmetics industry for the composition of skin creams.
Leaving apart the complexity of those types of creams, a simple
well-washed fresh leaf of this plant can be applied on a scar
to stop bleeding. By doing this, it will help to cicatrize
and prevent the risk of infection.
Otitis:
Because its inflammatory and bactericide properties it is
suitable to fight earache. ( Crush a tender leaf and pour
some drops of its juice inside)
Burns:
By applying a plaster, made with some crushed fresh leaves,
it will diminish pain and help the burn to regenerate.
Insect
bites:
The juice of the fresh plants aids to diminish swelling. It
can be used for many insects, such as bees, wasps, mosquitoes,
fleas, etc. It the same way this juice can be useful to alleviate
the extreme itching produced by the sting of nettles.
Eyes:
An eyewash is a good remedy for the relief of tired, reddened
or inflamed eyes ( Wash the eyes with the liquid resulting
from an infusion of 5 spoonfuls of dry leaves in a liter of
water for a quarter on an hour)
Other
uses
Edible
plant : Young leaves of plantains ( Plantago
major, P. minor , P. lanceolata) are edible. They can
be eaten in salads, together with another vegetables, or they
can be cooked. They are very rich in vitamin C - Till 19 mg
each 100 g at the beginning of spring. They also contain Vitamin
A and calcium. Anther possibility is to fry them. However,
when they grow older, even though they are eatable, they become
fibrous and present a very hard taste. So, it is better to
eat them young. The floral stems can also be eaten. The are
rich in thiamin ( Vitamin B1) . The dry ground seeds can be
used to flavor many meals or they can be used to cook a kind
of paste that can be cooked as sago. ( Something similar to
tapioca)
Plantains
are often food for herbivores, being one the usual nourishment
for rabbits or caterpillars. Many birds feed themselves with
the seeds.
Contraindications
No
contraindications have been reported except some allergic
reactions to some people.
Picking-up
and storing
Their
leaves must be collected in spring or summer . They must be
kept in the shade inside clean airtight containers.
Another
species of plantains:
Narrowleaf
plantain ( Plantago lanceolata) It differs from
greater plantain in its lanceolate leaves, that become progressively
narrow at the base. It has also got longer filaments in the
stamens. Its medicinal properties are similar.
Hoary
plantain ( Plantago media) It shows elliptic leaves
covered with silky hairs. The leaf stems is shorter and flatter.
Medicinal properties are similar to the previous ones.
|
