*The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.*
Hey guys! Welcome back to the second post in phenomenal plants! In this post we are going to focus on a plant that many consider a weed but is extremely beneficial. This plant is extremely common and can go by many names. One that always made me laugh is "White Man's Footstep" that came from the Native Americans when English settlers arrive to America. The plant I'm talking about is Plantain Plantago major. I'm sure many of you have seen it in your yards, dry areas, and areas where you wouldn't think plants should grow. However, don't write this plant off as it is so beneficial.
The first benefit we are going to explore first is it's potency as a topical agent. If you take the plant and crush it, it can be applied to minor wounds, sores, insect bites, and rashes. It aids in wounds by stopping bleeding, helps ward off infection, and can reduce inflammation. If you don't have any other way to crush it up it is safe to chew and then apply to the affected area.
The second benefit to mention is how it can be used if a tooth ache arises. Dried and or fresh leaves can be mixed with a carrier oil to be applied directly on the affected area. It will help with swelling, infection, and pain. Along with the mouth area we can now move onto the throat. If you can press a tablespoon of plantain juice from the plant and add to a half cup of water and gargle to relieve the first signs of a sore throat. Since the plant has a huge benefit of reducing inflammation drinking plantain tea can be excellent for digestive health. To make tea you will take one teaspoon dried plantain leaves or one tablespoon of fresh leaves and add that to a cup of boiling water and let it steep for 10 minutes, strain, and enjoy.
Lastly, plantain can be ate whether that be in a salad or just straight from the yard. Of course it is pertinent that these plants haven't been sprayed and couldn't have gotten any type of chemicals on them. Every part of the plant is edible including the seeds. It is best to harvest when the plant is younger as the older they get the more fibrous and tough. However, that doesn't mean inedible. When they get older and tougher you can sauté them to make them more supple.
If you would like more scientific information on this wonderful plant visit: https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.41814
Information for this post was obtained from "The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies" by Nicole Apelian, Ph.D and Claude Davis.
*The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.*
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