|
|
|
Plantain -Uses and Benefits
Alternative Names:
Broad-leaved Plantain. Ripple Grass. Waybread. Slan-lus. Waybroad. Snakeweed. Cuckoo's Bread. Englishman's Foot. White Man's Foot, Che Qian Zi (China), Breitwegerich (German), Tanchagem-maior (Portuguese), Llantén común (Spanish), Llantén major (Spanish)
Herb Description
Plantain are native to Europe and Asia, but now grow practically anywhere in the world where there is sufficient water .Plantain contains more than 200 species, out of which 25 to 30 have been reported as in domestic use. Plantain should not be confused with the banana-like vegetable of the same name. Historically plantain has been used as an astringent,expectorant, demulcent, diuretic, and hemostatic.
Its leaves are broadly ovate, toothed or entire and featured by a thick, channeled footstalk. The flower stalks reach up to height of 6 to 18 inches and are tipped with long, slender, spikes of greenish-white flowers with overshadowed color by brownish sepals and bracts.Its Flowers in May to October.The leaves of plantain are primarily used as medicine . In today's era plantain seeds and leaves used for reducing the intestinal absorption of bile acids. Cholesterol levels may also be decreased in persons that use this herb as an appetite suppressant.
Uses and Benefits
If use externally a poultice of the leaves is useful to cure insect bites, poison-ivy rashes, minor sores, and boils & if taken internally its useful for coughs and bronchitis , as a tea , tincture , or syrup .
The Plantain contains Ascorbic-acid, Apigenin, Baicalein, Benzoic-acid, Chlorogenic-acid, Citric-acid, Ferulic-acid, Oleanolic-acid, Salicylic-acid, and Ursolic-acid are beneficial for human body.
Traditionally used for the treatment of:
- Respiratory Complaints.
- Coughs .
- Inflammation.
Plantain leaves and seed are used as :
- Antibacterial
- Antidote
- Astringent
- Antiinflammatory
- Antiseptic
- Antitussive
- Cardiac
- Demulcent
- Diuretic
- Expectorant
- Haemostatic
- laxative
- Ophthalmic
- Poultice
- Refrigerant
- Vermifuge.
Side Effects
Plantain may have following side effect :
- Diarrhea, gas, upset stomach
- Lowered blood pressure
- faster heart beat
- low blood pressure
If these symptoms occurs with given medicine then consult to your doctor.
Dosage
Tea:
Steeping the herb in 1 cup (250 ml) of hot water for 10-15 minutes making 3 cups (750 ml ) per day.
External:
The fresh leaves can be used directly 3 or4 times per day to minor injuries , dermatitis, and insect stings.
Tinctures:
1/2 teaspoon (2-3 ml) three times per day, can also be used, to cure a cough
Oral:
1/2-1 1/4 teaspoons (2-6 grams) of the fresh leaves can be juiced and taken in parts throughout the day.
Drug Interactions
There were no well-known drug interactions with plantain at the time of writing.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|