Medicinal Plants : Plantago major

Name

Plantain

Biological Name

Plantago major
Plantaginaceae

Other Names

Plantain, Greater Plantain, waybread, round-leaved plantain, Englishman's foot, common plantain, ribwort, ripple grass, snake weed

Parts Used

Leaves or aerial parts

Active Compounds

Iridoids; aucubin, 3,4-dihydroaucubin, 6-O-b-glucosylaucubin, catalpol

Flavonoids; apigenin, lutelin, scutellarin, baicalein, nepetin, hispidulin, plantagoside

Miscellaneous; tannin, oleanolic acid, plant acids such as chlorogenic, neochlorogenic, fumaric, hydroxycinnamic and benzoic acids and their esters.

Remedies For

Vulnerary, expectorant, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic, anti-microbial.

Both the Greater Plantain and its close relative Ribwort Plantain have valuable healing properties. It acts as a gentle expectorant whilst also soothing inflamed and sore membranes, making it ideal for coughs and mild bronchitis. Its astringency aids in diarrhea, hemorrhoids and also in cystitis where there is bleeding.

Description

No speific information.

Dosage

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. Ointment: an ointment can be made that will aid the treatment of hemorrhoids and cuts.

Tincture: take 2-3ml of the tincture three times a day.

Safety

No information available. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician before starting on any herb.