Medicinal Plants : Semen plantaginis

Name

Biological Name

Semen plantaginis
Plantaginaceae

Other Names

Parts Used

Seed

Remedies For

Anti-inflammatory, antitussive, antidiarrheal, diuretic, expectorant, lowers blood pressure

Drains dampness, clears heat, brightens the eyes, resolves phlegm. Useful for urinary tract infections; scanty, painful, and/or frequent urination; dysentery; yellow phlegm in the lungs; conjunctivitis; blurred vision; photophobia; and cataracts caused by liver yin deficiency.

Description

Chinese herb

Dosage

3-9 grams

Combinations:
For urinary tract infections:
Combine 9 grams each of plantain seeds, alisma, and gardenia fruit and 30 grams of talcum.

For diarrhea and dysentery caused by damp heat:
Combine 9 grams each of plantain seeds, poria, alisma, and atractylodes.

For eyesight problems, blurred vision, photophobia, and cataracts:
combine 9 grams of plantain seeds, 12 grams of unprepared rehmannia, 9 grams of lycii berries, and 9 grams of chrysanthemum.

For cough with yellow mucus caused by heat in the lungs:
Combine 9 grams each of plantain seeds, trichosanthes, bamboo shavings, scutellaria, and fritillaria.

Safety

Plantain seed should not be used in pregnancy, constipation, or deficiency of qi or without signs of damp heat.