Plantago major

Plant Name Plantago major L.
Botanical Info Perennial . Height: 12 cm
Geography The plant is native to most of Europe and northern and central Asia. It is widely naturalised elsewhere in the world. A common garden weed, particularly in lawns. Rarely in grassy places.
Chemical Content Plantain leaves contain polysaccharides, including mucus (11%), iridoid glycosides aukubin, bitter substances, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, choline.
Traditional Use and Activity Preparations from the leaves of the plantain has a versatile healing properties.

In folk medicine, infusion of leaves is recommended for hay fever (allergies), fever, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, inflammation of the bladder, cancer of the stomach and lungs. Fresh leaves applied to wounds, abrasions, cuts, ulcers and boils. Ointment with powder of dried plantain – an effective tool for the treatment of pustular skin diseases.

In scientific medicine the leaves are used as wound healing, inflammatory, hemostatic, expectorant, sedative, analgesic, bactericidal and anti-allergic agent. Decoction of leaves used for bronchitis, tuberculosis and other diseases of the respiratory, gastrointestinal tract, including gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcers, inflammation of the kidneys.

An alcoholic extract of leaves lowers blood pressure. Expectorant action of psyllium use in nursing duties.

Produced drug -plantain juice (Plantaginis succus)-is used for gastritis, dyspepsia, anorexia.