Plantago major
- Common Plantain
a perennial member of the Plantago genus in the family Plantaginaceae.
Uses
Edible uses
Notes
Seed - raw or cooked[5][9]. Very tedious to harvest[9]. The seed can be ground into a meal and mixed with flour[6]. It is very rich in vitamin B1[8]. The whole seeds can be boiled and used like sago[10]. The dried leaves make an acceptable tea[6].
Root[6]. No further details.Leaves
Root
Seed
Unknown part
Material uses
There are no material uses listed for Plantago major.Medicinal uses(Warning!)
Common plantain is a safe and effective treatment for bleeding, it quickly staunches blood flow and encourages the repair of damaged tissue[11].
The leaves are astringent, demulcent, deobstruent, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic and refrigerant[12][13][7][14][15][16][9][17]. Internally, they are used in the treatment of a wide range of complaints including diarrhoea, gastritis, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhage, haemorrhoids, cystitis, bronchitis, catarrh, sinusitis, asthma and hay fever[17][11]. They are used externally in treating skin inflammations, malignant ulcers, cuts, stings etc[12]. The heated leaves are used as a wet dressing for wounds, swellings etc[18][19]. The root is a remedy for the bite of rattlesnakes, it is used in equal portions with Marrubium vulgare[20]. The seeds are used in the treatment of parasitic worms[18]. Plantain seeds contain up to 30% mucilage which swells up in the gut, acting as a bulk laxative and soothing irritated membranes[17]. Sometimes the seed husks are used without the seeds[17].
A distilled water made from the plant makes an excellent eye lotion[13].
