Plantago Major, properties and uses

Plantago Major properties

The Plantago Major also known as plantain and carmel, is a herbaceous plant, native to Europe, North America and the center, which occurs easily throughout the year in quite wild areas and without much care. It reaches heights of up to 50 cm, it is characterized by its thick, green, oval-shaped leaves and for its white, yellow or red flowers grouped in tubular spikes that can reach up to 40 cm in length.

Its leaves they give off a pleasant aroma and are edibleLikewise, the seeds produced by the plant are highly appreciated by birds and by humans for their content of aromatic oil, with a pleasant and thick flavor that is used in the production of some foods. It is also highly valued in the field of health, since it has medicinal qualities, but to make use of the plant in this sense it is recommended to use the already mature plant, after going through a drying process in the shade.

Medicinal properties of Plantago Major

medicinal properties Plantago Major

Regarding its cultivation, it is not necessary since its growth is practically spontaneous, its seeds scatter around or through the birds that consume them and thus the plant spreads without much care.

As we mentioned before, the Plantago it is highly appreciated for its therapeutic propertiess including purifying, astringent, expectorant, healing and hemostatic among others.

It is used in various ways, for example, for stomach conditions such as diarrhea and burning, respiratory diseases and inflammation of the kidneys, although for these cases its intake is recommended orally in infusions, apply as a gargle to reduce inflammation of the mouth, gums, throat and parotid glands and as a poultice or patch applied to the area affected by ulcers and other conditions.

It also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent of the skin, placing it directly on it and is that the plantago major due to its content of mucilage and silicic acid, it works as an effective chest medicine, It has diuretic, expectorant and healing effects, it is effective in the eradication of catarrhal flu, bronchitis and asthma, ideal to combat conjunctivitis and other inflammatory conditions in the eye.

As if that were not enough, it has applications in the homeopathic field, there its use is recommended for intermittent feverish symptoms, urinary incontinence, alveolar pyorrhea, ulcers in the rectal area, gangrene, hemorrhoids and to improve pain in general.

How to use the Plantago Major?

To gargle, the plantago major it must be subjected to a boiling process that lasts at least 15 minutes, the approximate proportion would be 60 gr. of leaves in a liter of water, when it is ready the leaves are removed and the liquid is used for the gargle.

To drink it in infusions, the proportion would be approximately 30 gr. of leaves in a liter of water, proceed to boil for about 10 minutes, remove the leaves and reserve to eat up to 4 cups a day.

It is also known by these other names, which vary according to the locality:

  • Plantagináceae synonymy: Common plantain
  • Wegerich: German name
  • Grand plantain: French name
  • Great plantain, waybread: English name
  • Piantaggine: Italian name
  • Tanchagem-maior, tanchagem, tranchagem: Portuguese name

type of Plantago Major

The seeds and flowers of the plant also are used for therapeutic purposes, for example, in cases of conjunctivitis and other eye irritations, for purgative or laxative effects, to treat acne and blackheads, to treat insect bites and skin burns.

It is important to note that the seeds are contraindicated when the individual suffers from an obstruction in the intestinal canal and also in pregnant women. These could produce inflammations and creating the effect of obstruction at the level of the esophagus and intestines, mainly if it is ingested with little liquid.

Likewise, special care must be taken not to mix the intake of Plantago Major seeds with other medications since these can affect the absorption process of pharmacological components such as carbamazepine, vitamin B12, lithium, calcium, copper and others.


2 comments, leave yours

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*

  1. Responsible for the data: Miguel Ángel Gatón
  2. Purpose of the data: Control SPAM, comment management.
  3. Legitimation: Your consent
  4. Communication of the data: The data will not be communicated to third parties except by legal obligation.
  5. Data storage: Database hosted by Occentus Networks (EU)
  6. Rights: At any time you can limit, recover and delete your information.

  1.   Nelly agelvis said

    I love gardening and learning about medicinal plants and their benefits and properties, thanks to you for letting us know about them.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Thanks for your comment, Nelly.
      We are glad you like the blog 🙂