Plantain - Plantago spp. (in the Plantaginaceae or Plantain family)
Part used: Leaf.
Taste/smell: Nutritious, mucilaginous, slightly bitter, salty.
Tendencies: Cooling and drying.
Dosage: Infusion: 1 tablespoon per cup of water; or 1:1 fresh strength liquid extract: 15-40 drops 1-4 times per day.
Use: (a) Antiseptic, (b) Antibacterial with in vitro activity against Staph aureus, (c) Astringent, (d) Diuretic, (e) Anti-inflammatory, (f) Vulnerary.
The mucilaginous, fresh leaf is used topically for wounds, insect bites, stings and in cough syrups. This is one of my favorite first aid remedies. The fresh leaves can be masticated and used as a poultice on wounds or to draw out splinters. Internally it can be used as a demulcent for urinary tract infections and respiratory tract infections.
Contraindications: Information unavailable at this time.
Copyright 1999 by Sharol Tilgner, N.D. (ISBN 1-881517-02-0) - all rights reserved.
Used with permission of author.
