The herb plantain, often considered a weed, holds powerful skin-healing properties in its broad, heavily veined leaves. Varieties included common plantain, Plantago major, and English plantain, Plantago lanceolata. Native Americans called plantain white mans footprint because the herb arrived on this continent with European settlers. The seeds of some plantain species contain bulk fiber and may make useful mild laxatives, but check with your physician before attempting any herbal self-treatment. Healing Properties of the Palntain Herb Numerous recipes exist for plantain-based skin salves and ointments. Herbalist Sarah Powell attributes the herbs popularity to its gentle astringent action, which helps heal minor wounds, blisters and rashes. Powell also recommends plantain salve for diaper rash and hemorrhoids. Users can make their own plantain herb version by adding dehydrated leaves to an oil, such as grapeseed. TREATS WOUNDS AND DAMAGED SKIN Numerous recipes exist for plantain-based skin salves and ointments. Herbalist Sarah Powell attributes the herbs popularity to its gentle astringent action, which helps heal minor wounds, blisters and rashes. Powell also recommends plantain salve for diaper rash and hemorrhoids. Users can make their own plantain herb version by adding dehydrated leaves to an oil, such as grapeseed. The herb plantain, often considered a weed, holds powerful skin-healing properties in its broad, heavily veined leaves. Varieties included common plantain, Plantago major, and English plantain, Plantago lanceolata. Native Americans called plantain white mans footprint because the herb arrived on this continent with European settlers. The seeds of some plantain species contain bulk fiber and may make useful mild laxatives, but check with your physician before attempting any herbal self-treatment. Swipe here to continue TREATS WOUNDS AND DAMAGED SKIN Numerous recipes exist for plantain-based skin salves and ointments. Herbalist Sarah Powell attributes the herbs popularity to its gentle astringent action, which helps heal minor wounds, blisters and rashes. Powell also recommends plantain salve for diaper rash and hemorrhoids. Users can make their own plantain herb version by adding dehydrated leaves to an oil, such as grapeseed. SOOTHES INSECT BITES AND POISON IVY The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that plantain boasts a long reputation as an herbal pain reliever for the stings or bites of insects. Plantain salve works well, but youll find even faster relief if you can find a plantain plant just after you suffer the indignity of the bug bite. Herbalist Steve Brill notes that simply snatching up a leaf, shredding or mashing it to release its juices and applying to the bite or sting provides astringent, healing action. This action also works well for treating poison ivy, notes the New York Times in its Health column. Simply rubbing a leaf on affected skin helps ease itching and promotes faster healing, according the newspaper. PROVIDES CONJUNCTIVITIS RELIEF Infused fresh plantain leaves provide all-natural relief to conjunctivitis, also known as pink-eye, according to UMMC. The herbs astringent properties helps ease the redness and itching associated with pink eye. Patients can make a plantain compress by adding fresh, chopped plantain leaves to boiling water. PLANTAIN TEAS AND RECIPES Plantain is a perennial herb, thought to be of Eurasian origin and now naturalized throughout the world. Plantain is considered a common and noxious weed by some and a miracle plant by others. The common plantain has numerous applications and both the leaves as well as the seeds of the plant are useful to treat a number of conditions. While the plant’s leaves can be taken as a juice, tincture and syrup, infusion prepared with the common plantain’s seeds are also very useful in treating various disorders. Externally, the herb’s leaves may be applied as poultice, ointment or cream, wash and gargle. The fruit is extremely low in fat, high in dietary fiber and starch. It is very low in cholesterol and salt too. It is a good source of vitamins A, B6, and C which helps maintain vision, good skin, and build immunity against diseases. It is also rich in potassium, magnesium and phosphate. When cooked green, is very good for diabetics, as it contains complex carbohydrate that is very slowly released. Medicinal herb tea: For colds and flu use 1 tbls. dry or fresh whole Plantain (seed, root, and leaves) to 1 cup boiling water, steep 10 min. strain, sweeten. Drink through the day. Healing salve: In large non-metallic pan place 1lb. of entire Plantain plant chopped, and 1 cup lard, cover, 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. Note: used as night cream for wrinkles. Use the Aerial parts leaves etc to make: JUICE: Common plantain juice may be prepared by pressing fresh leaves of the plant. Consuming 10 ml of the juice thrice daily is beneficial for inflamed mucous membranes in cystitis, diarrhea and infections of the lungs or respiratory tract. TINCTURE (Plantago lanceolata): Tinctures of the common plantain should be preferably prepared with fresh leaves. This tincture is beneficial for heavy mucus, allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the nose mucus membrane) and whenever required for astringency (drawing tissues closer). POULTICE Soak a pad in common plantain tincture and apply it on the body areas to heal bee-stings or wounds that have been slow in healing. Applying fresh common plantain leaves will also have the same function as poultice prepared from the herb. OINTMENT (Plantago major): Ointments or creams prepared with the leaves of the common plantain may be applied to heal wounds and burns or stem hemorrhoids. WASH The juice extracted from the common plantain herb leaves may be used as a wash for relief from inflammations, sores as well as injuries. GARGLE Dilute the juice extracted from the common plantain leaves and use as a gargle to alleviate sore or aching throats and mouths or even swelling of the gums. SYRUP Make syrup from the juice extracted from the common plantain leaves and ingest it to treat coughs. It is especially effectual in conditions like sore or inflamed throats. Use the Seeds to make: INFUSION To prepare an infusion with the common plantain seeds, add one teaspoonful of the dehydrated seed to a coup of boiling water. Then cool the substance and drink the mucilage as well as the seeds at night to treat constipation effectively. REVITALIZING GREEN JUICE 3 cups (180 g) fresh plantain leaves 1 cup (250 ml) pure liquid honey 1 opaque glass bottle Crush the leaves in a food processor, drain and squeeze in cheesecloth. Combine 1 cup (250 ml) of the green juice with the honey and simmer for 10 minutes at low heat, stirring regularly. Let cool and pour into the opaque bottle. Take this nectar 1 teaspoonful at a time like a syrup to treat a cough; also use it to treat a sore throat, anemia, fatigue and eczema: 1 Teaspoon (15 ml), 3 times daily. Yes I know and you know Plantain can also be a Banana type fruit, and some of those recipes are included. Blessed Be! *White Owl
Posted on: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:48:30 +0000
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