Plantago major

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Plantago major L.

Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

florapal.org

Plantaginaceae

  • Broad-leaf Plantain
  • Common Plantain
  • lekhekh gadol
  • לֶחֶךְ גָּדוֹל
  • lisan el-hamal el-kebir لسان الحمل الكبير
  • udun el-jadi اذن الجدي

Annual

  • Humid habitats
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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Plantago major L.

System/State Traditional
Complaint/Use
Activity / Interpretation
Traditional
Preparation/
Administration
Parts Used
Source
Cardiovascular

Atherosclerosis

Anti-atherosclerotic

1. Decoct 1 handful of dry leaves in 1L water, boil 15 min, filter & drink x1 cup before breakfast daily.
2. Prepare infusion of ground leaves & drink x2-3 cups/day (+ honey as needed).
3. Prepare infusion by adding 2 teaspoons of cut leaves to 1 cup boiled water & drink x2-3 cups/day as needed.

Leaf B
Child Health

Bed wetting

Anti-enuresis

1. Boil large handful of leaves for 5 min in 1L water, emulsify for 15 min, drain & drink 1 cup x4/day.
2. Prepare infusion by adding 2 teaspoons cut leaves to 1 cup boiling water, sweeten + honey & drink x2-3 cups /day.

Leaf B
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)

Ear problems

Non-specific

1. Extract juice from fresh leaves & add few drops into ear.
2. Boil flowers in olive oil, filter & add several drops to ear x2/day.
3. Boil seeds in water, filter & use filtrate as ear drops x1/day.

Leaf, Seed B
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)

Earache

Analgesic

Extract juice from fresh leaves & add as drops into ear.

Leaf B
Gastrointestinal

Diarrhea

Anti-Infective, Anti-diarrheal

1.Decoct 25 gm powdered leaves in 1L water & drink 1 cup x2-3/day until well. (An infusion can also be used.)
2. Boil leaves in water for 1 min & drink x1 spoon (small spoon for a child, large spoon for adult) x3 /day.

Leaf B
Gastrointestinal

Haemorrhoids

Anti-haemorrhoidal

Prepare poultice from leaves + grilled garlic (Allium sativum) + onion (Allium cepa) + roasted apples (Malus pumila) & apply to haemorrhoids.

Leaf B
Helminth infections

Intestinal worms

Anthelmintic, Vermifuge

1. Mix ground seeds + vinegar (suger can be added) & drink x1 teaspoon before breakfast for 3 days.
2. Prepare dough from ground seeds, knead + vinegar, sweeten + sugar & eat on empty stomach x1 teaspoon of dough (young people) or x1 large spoon (adults with large bodies); repeat single dose for 3 days.

Seed B
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Urinary retention

Deobstruent

Boil 1 large handful leaves for 5 min in 1L of water, steep for 15 min, filter & drink x4/day.

Leaf B
Respiratory

Cough

Anti-tussive

Decoct seeds, filter, sweeten + sugar & drink x1 cup/day until well.

Seed B
Venoms, Bites & Stings

Bee sting

Ant-venom

1. Apply cut, fleshy leaves over sting.
2. Wash twigs well, grind & apply as poultice.

Branch/ twigs, Leaf B

Notes

Cautions

The oil of Plantago major is mustard like, allergenic, irritant & causes dermatosis. Plantago major has laxative & uterine activity therefore not recommended in pregancy & lactation. Large doses can also be hypotensive. Some species in Plantago genus are contraindicated in diabetes & oesophageal, bowel or gastrointestinal obstruction. Can also cause fatal bronchospasm.

The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.