Plantago major L.
Plantaginaceae
- Broad-leaf Plantain
- Common Plantain
- lisan el-hamal el-kebir لسان الحمل الكبير
- udun el-jadi اذن الجدي
- לֶחֶךְ גָּדוֹל
- lekhekh gadol
Annual
- Humid habitats
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distribution and other botanical details.
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. |
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. |
Leaf | B |
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) | Ear problems |
Non-specific | 1. Extract juice from fresh leaves & add few drops into ear. |
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.) |
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. |
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. |
Branch/ twigs, Leaf | B |
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.
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.