The Miracle Herbs: Plantain
Plantain (Plantago major) is another perennial herb found throughout lawns in the United States. Yet Plantain is considered a common and noxious weed by some and a miracle plant by others.
(Please note: Consult your physician before using any herbal or alternative medicines.)
Native Americans
carried powdered roots of Plantain as protection against snakebites or to ward
off snakes. Plantain has
been used as a panacea in some Native American cultures and with some very good
reasons. Many of its active constituents show antibacterial and antimicrobial
properties, as well as being anti-inflammatory and antitoxin. The leaves,
shredded or chewed, are a traditional treatment for insect and animal bites and
the antibacterial action helps prevent infection and the anti-inflammatory
helps to relieve pain, burning, and itching. There is some investigation
ongoing to study its affects on lowering blood sugar.
Plantain is both edible and medicinal. The
young leaves are edible raw in salad or cooked as a herbal additive and are
very rich in vitamin B1 and riboflavin. The herb has a long history of use as
an alternative medicine dating back to ancient times. Plantain contains the
glycoside Aucubin. Aucubin has been reported in the Journal of Toxicology as a
powerful anti-toxin. This chemical is found in many modern day components
including: Ascorbic-acid (Vitamin C), Baicalein (an anti-inflammatory),
Benzoic-acid (a food preservative), and Citric-acid (a natural preservative).
Plantain is
easily cultivated and normally likes any soil and a sunny location. It is an important food plant for the
caterpillars of many species of butterflies and many types of birds enjoy the
seed heads. Plantain grows from a short,
tough rhizome and has a large number of long, yellowish roots. It grows in a
rosette form and has large oval, dark green, leaves about 4 to 10 inch long
with ribbed veins. The flower stalks are tall and slender with dense flower
spikes. Each tiny flower is brownish and
bell-shaped with four stamens and purple anthers, and they bloom most of the
summer.
Seeds: Plantain seeds contain up to 30% mucilage which swells in
the intestines, acting as a bulk laxative and soothing irritated membranes. The
seeds are used in the treatment of parasitic worms. Distilled water made from
the plant seeds makes an excellent eye lotion.
Leaves: The leaves and the seeds can be used medicinally as an
antibacterial, antidote, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diuretic,
expectorant, laxative, and an ophthalmic. Medical evidence exists to confirm
uses as an alternative medicine for asthma, emphysema, bladder problems,
bronchitis, fever, hypertension, rheumatism and blood sugar control.
Root uses: A tonic from the roots is used in the
treatment of a wide range of complaints including diarrhea, gastritis, peptic
ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, cystitis, bronchitis, sinusitis,
coughs, asthma and hay fever. The root is said to be used as an anti-venom for
rattlesnake bites
Harvest:
Gather fresh young edible leaves in spring. Gather Plantain after flower spike
forms to dry for later herb use. Harvest roots in late summer or fall.
Extracts of the plant have antibacterial
activity and it is a safe and effective treatment for bleeding, it quickly
stops blood flow and encourages the repair of damaged tissue. The heated leaves
are used as a wet dressing for wounds, skin inflammations, cuts, stings and
swellings and is said to promote healing without scars. Poultice of hot leaves
is bound onto cuts and wounds to draw out thorns, splinters and inflammation. Plantain
also causes a natural aversion to tobacco and is currently being used in stop
smoking preparations.
Healing salve:
In large non-metallic pan place 1 pound of entire Plantain plant
chopped, and 1 cup Coconut oil, cocoa butter, Shea Butter, palm oil or any
other natural vegetable butter. Cover and cook down on low heat till all is
mushy and green. Strain while hot, cool and use for burns, insect bites,
rashes, and all sores. This is great for
mosquito bites. Note: Can be used as night cream for wrinkles, but I’ve never
tried this.
Plantain has been called Man's Foot because it
grew wherever their feet touched the ground – there is a reference to this in
Longfellow’s poem, “Hiawatha.”
Precautions:
Plantain is good for injuries because of its
coagulating properties, (blood thickener), but those with blood disorders, those who are on blood thinner medications, or prone to blood clotting,
should not use Plantain internally. If harvesting it yourself, make sure to get
your plants from an area that has not been sprayed with any chemicals or pesticides, and
make sure that you have correctly identified the plant before consuming.
The leaves are
actually edible and somewhat similar to spinach, though slightly more bitter.
They can also be used in salads or other culinary uses.
Where
to Find:
We dry and
freeze and prepare plantain leaves from our Amen Ankh Urban farm.
Most people are
able to find plantain in their own yards but if you live in an area where your yard
is sprayed with chemicals or fertilizer, dried plantain leaves can also be
ordered at the Amen Ankh Farm or online- http://www.gofundme.com/amen-urban-farm . Our pre-made remedies, are
prepared right at the Amen Pr Ankh. We make a plantain leaf first aid ointment for
Children, also Plantain tincture, and plantain and goldenseal pre-made salves (natural
Neosporin). If you can’t find Plantain in your area, We have the seeds to plant
Plantain (even though your neighbors might think you are crazy!)
Herbal Uses:
The leaves can
also be made into a tea or tincture, and this is said to help with indigestion,
heartburn and ulcers when taking internally.
Externally,
Plantain has been used for insect and snake bites, and as a remedy for rashes
and cuts. I use it in making my Homemade Healing Salve, which we use as a
natural antibiotic ointment on cuts and bruises.
The natural antibacterial
and anti-inflammatory properties of plantain leaf make it great for healing
wounds, and for itching or pain associated with skin problems. A tea made from
Plantain leaf can be sprayed on mosquito bites to ease the itch.
I also make and use the Tea, salve and poultices for every day cuts, scrapes and bug bites.
When we are
bitten by mosquitoes, stung by bees, or come in contact with spiders or other
insects, I use a salve containing plantain leaf (or just chew the leaves and
apply to the bite) to help ease the reaction. I also used a plantain salve and
poultice when my son was bitten by a brown recluse and continued this daily for
about 2 weeks and his skin never decayed at the bite.
A tea, tincture or salve made with plantain
also greatly eases the itch of poison ivy, oak or sumac and I keep it on hand
for this reason.
A tea or infusion of plantain leaf can be
poured into the ear for ear infections (as long as the ear drum has not burst)
to east the pain and shorten duration of ear infections.
I also make a lotion with plantain, calendula
and coconut oil and it is extremely helpful for any skin irritation, including
mosquito bites, eczema, psoriasis, chicken pox, rashes and sores.
There is unconfirmed information that a
plantain infusion, taken internally, it can help protect the body from the
effects of chemotherapy and that a plantain infusion can improve blood sugar.
While taking plantain in these situations would generally be considered safe,
one should still check with an attending physician before doing so.
Ever used plantain or another herb that grows in your back yard?
Pease Tell me about it in a comment below!
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