Plantain
Useful properties and application of juice, syrup and plantain seeds
Content:
- Useful properties of plantain
- The use of plantain for various diseases
- Plantain recipes
- Plantain juice and syrup
- Cough plantain
- Plantain Recipes
- Decoction, infusion and tincture
- Plantain leaf properties
- Properties of the seed and husk of psyllium seeds
- Contraindications
Medicinal plantain
Plantain belongs to the genus of annual and perennial grasses; rare, but shrubs of the plantain family are found. Plantain grows in temperate and subtropical zones (sometimes in the tropics), about 250 species of this plant are known. It can be found along roads, in wastelands or in the steppes, in meadows and sands, even in weedy places. The seeds of many plantain species contain mucus and aucubin glycoside.
Plantain and its medicinal properties are widely used in many countries of Asia and Europe. This plant is also called the "seven-veined companion", as it has vertical veins on the foliage. This name is even closer to him than the common one - plantain, since he prefers to grow not only near the road, but asks all animals or people as companions. Its ripe seeds stick, as if glued to the skins of animals, shoes and clothing of people. But, nevertheless, its real name is that. This is largely due to the fact that even the plantain living near the path or near the road is more adaptable and grows well. It is not an obstacle for him - compacted and trampled soil.
In medicine and industry, plantain and Indian seeds are used. For treatment, leaves of the flea and large plantain are used, since it is they that contain vitamin C, carotene and phytoncides. Infusions are prepared from the leaves and used as an expectorant. Plantain juice is used to treat gastritis and enteritis, as well as to improve digestion.
Useful properties of plantain
Plantain is an excellent medicine for humans. It perfectly relieves inflammation, serves as an antiseptic, heals and tightens wounds, has a positive effect on the secretory function of the stomach, relieves pain, and also has an expectorant and blood-purifying effect. It is used as a powerful pain reliever, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. With the help of an infusion of plantain leaves, you can get rid of not only an ordinary cough or respiratory disease, but also from such serious diseases as pulmonary tuberculosis, pleurisy, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, bronchial asthma and whooping cough.
As a result of special phytochemical studies, it was found that plantain herb leaves contain components that affect cholesterol metabolism and serve as an anti-ulcer agent. And the alcoholic or aqueous leafy extract of the plant is irreplaceable for especially severe forms of ulcers. It was also noted that plantain-containing medicines and the juice of its leaves (as well as the leaves themselves) contain antibacterial substances that help with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, pathogenic microbes of wound infection, hemolytic staphylococci, etc.
Plantain is able to relieve stomach diseases such as gastritis, enteritis, enterocolitis, stomach and intestinal ulcers, and this is not the whole list of diseases that plantain can heal. Inflammatory diseases of the bladder, hemorrhoids, malaria, and many skin diseases - rashes, acne, and sometimes lichens are also quite successfully treated with them. And, of course, the well-known and irreplaceable remedy for skin damage is plantain. Not a single folk remedy has such a healing property.
In addition, plantain juice accelerates the release of pus from the wound and helps its healing, relieves inflammation and promotes an increase in granulation. Plantain juice is also indispensable for long-lasting wounds and boils, as well as for first aid during injuries at work and in general.
Phytochemical studies have shown that the leaves of the plant contain substances that have an anti-ulcer effect and affect cholesterol metabolism. Fresh leaves and especially juice and preparations from it are used as a bacteriostatic drug that affects pathogenic microbes of a wound infection, hemolytic streptococcus and staphylococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus, Escherichia coli.
When using plantain juice to treat wounds, the wound surface is quickly cleansed from purulent discharge, the inflammatory process stops, and the granulation grows rapidly.
Clinical observations have shown that fresh plantain juice is very effective in the first treatment of industrial or other injuries, as well as for getting rid of long-term healing wounds, phlegmons, and boils.
Plantain application
Natural extracts and essential oils are part of the plantain, which is a combination of traditional and scientific medicine. Such a union provides the maximum effect on the treatment of bronchitis, skin lesions, dyspepsia, diarrhea and dysentery. One of the oldest plants in the world is incredibly useful when used systematically.
The unique herb has a sedative effect, helps with mild forms of neurosis, increased irritability and insomnia. Its hypotensive property prevents the appearance of edema, reduces the load on the heart and blood vessels, and helps to reduce pressure.
The use of decoctions and syrups makes it possible to activate the work of the bronchi and excretory system, enhances the secretion of mucus in the bronchi, causing sputum to thin. Traditional medicine uses plantain extensively. It is taken for bronchitis, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis and lung cancer, anthrax and whooping cough. Preparations containing plantain are prescribed for women with inflammatory processes of the inner mucous membrane and the muscular membrane of the uterus, ovaries and with parametritis.
Studies have shown that the herb is beneficial for infertility if the cause is a disorder of ovarian function. Treatment of uterine bleeding with plantain is also effective. Plantain is insisted for external use in case of problems associated with diseases of the oral cavity. Fresh grass in crushed form is applied to areas of the body for bruises, wounds, cuts. Decoctions treat chronic ulcers, relieve pain from burns. Lotions are suitable for removing boils, cleansing and disinfecting purulent wounds.
Adherents of alternative therapy claim that with the help of this medicinal plant, tachycardia and the formation of large amounts of urine (polyuria) can be eliminated. The use of plantain helps to normalize potency in men, relieves headaches, soothes toothaches and ear pain. There is evidence of the therapeutic effectiveness of the plant for nephritis, enuresis, diarrhea.
In Russia, plantain has been used by folk healers for a long time in the treatment of malignant tumors (in the form of compresses), internally for lung and stomach cancer. To do this, prepare such a tool: the leaves are washed, finely chopped and mixed with an equal amount of granulated sugar, allowed to brew in a warm place for two weeks. This infusion should be used 3-4 times a day, one tablespoon 20 minutes before meals. In addition to all this, plantain leaves are used to treat diseases of the respiratory tract, infections, intestinal diseases and as a hemostatic agent, enveloping, expectorant and wound healing.
The leaves washed with boiled water should be well covered - and can be applied to the affected areas of the skin with erysipelas, wounds, ulcers, carbuncles, you can also treat diseased areas with an infusion of plantain leaves. The extract from the roots of the plant is used internally in the treatment of fever and cough of tuberculous origin, after stings of insects, bees, vipers, as an analgesic and as a means of preventing the formation of tumors.
Plantain infusion: 1 tablespoon of plantain is steamed with a liter of boiling water, kept on low heat for 10 minutes. A day after infusion, the composition must be drained and taken 1 tablespoon 3 times a day 15–20 minutes before meals. This remedy is useful for catarrh of the upper respiratory tract.
Powder from the seeds of the plant should be consumed 1.0 g 3-4 times a day 20-40 minutes before meals.
Plantain juice
The juice from fresh plantain leaves is an excellent adjuvant in the treatment of corneal wounds. Due to its antiseptic properties, it inhibits the growth of purulent-inflammatory processes, for example, with staphylococcus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Drinking juice is applicable in acute forms of gastritis, colitis and enterocolitis. You need to take 1 tablespoon of juice 3 times a day 15-20 minutes before meals. A medicinal drug can be prepared for the winter by mixing juice with vodka in equal proportions.
Plantain juice is made from the leaves of the upper part of the large plantain. The juice helps if a person has chronically inflamed colon or gastric mucosa (and at the same time low acidity). It is drunk three times a day fifteen to thirty minutes before a meal in a tablespoon. The total duration of the course of treatment is thirty days.
May-September is a favorable period for collecting herbs. The juice can be obtained in a simple, well-known way. To do this, take the leaves together with the cuttings, rinse with water, scald with boiling water and grind in a meat grinder. The raw material is squeezed through a sheet (if the juice is thick, then it can be diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1), after which it is boiled for 1-2 minutes and taken 1-2 tablespoons, diluted in half a glass of water with honey. The course of treatment is 30 days.
Plantain syrup
Winter is the time for colds, viral diseases, it is very important to stock up on medications on time. Plantain has an excellent effect, from which you can prepare an incredibly healthy syrup.
Natural liquid has superiority over synthetic preparations. For its preparation, you need fresh leaves and shoots of the plant.
Recipe number 1: in a crushed form, the raw materials are shifted in layers, sprinkled with sugar. Then the jar with the blank is tightly closed and stored in a cool room. The syrup will be ready in 2 months. It is pumped gently and given to children and adults.
Recipe number 2: 2-3 tablespoons of raw materials must be mixed in a 1: 1 ratio with honey or sugar, hold a sealed container with the mixture on a warm stove. After cooling, you can take 1 teaspoon of the remedy 4 times a day half an hour before meals for peptic ulcer and gastrointestinal diseases.
Cough plantain
Cough is a very unfortunate symptom of disorders in the body. Before proceeding with the methods of getting rid of a cough, you need to carefully find out the cause of its occurrence. The cough process, accompanied by the discharge of sputum, is defined as wet, and if it is difficult to get rid of mucus, the cough is considered dry. When irritation appears in the larynx and bronchi, patients often try to quickly resort to the help of all kinds of medications. Almost everyone knows that plantain is the first irreplaceable remedy for any cough.
Taking an infusion or decoction, after a few hours you can feel improved breathing, sore throat decreases, and a mild expectorant effect is observed. The cause of coughing can be laryngitis (dry cough), tracheitis, various types of bronchitis, etc. Starting treatment at the first sign of a cold (high fever, chills, increased sweating), a person recovers faster.
Plantain has positive properties in treating coughs when you grind fresh leaves of plantain lanceolate, add a little water and heat the mixture to a boil, cool slightly and sweeten with honey. The result is a mixture that has no equal in therapeutic action. Take the product 1 teaspoon every hour.
Plantain Recipes
Recipe number 1: taking 3 teaspoons of dry leaves in a glass of boiling water, they need to be infused for 6-8 hours and take 1/3 cup half an hour before meals for gastritis, colitis and stomach ulcers.
Recipe number 2: you need to grind fresh plantain leaves, add 200-250 ml of water and bring to a boil. Add 3-4 tablespoons of natural honey to the resulting mixture and take 1 teaspoon of this gruel every hour for a severe cold cough.
You can make a delicious tea with a distinctive smell and drink it to relieve coughs.
Tea recipe number 1: 2-3 teaspoons of dried leaves should be poured with hot boiled water, infused for 15 minutes and drunk 3-4 times a day in a glass, adding 1 teaspoon of natural honey.
Tea recipe number 2: it is recommended to pour 4 tablespoons of dried plantain leaves with 500 ml of hot boiled water, wrap and leave for 1.5-2 hours for infusion, then strain and take during the day warm 4 times 1 tablespoon before food. The course of treatment is seven days.
Plantain decoction
Plantain broth is widely used to treat ailments in the intestines and stomach, as well as in respiratory tract diseases (bronchitis) and with a common cough. The broth is done as follows: a glass of boiling water is mixed with two tablespoons of leaves of a large plantain (this variety), covered with a lid on top, and then placed in a steam bath with boiling and kept for about half an hour. The product must be allowed to cool, passed through cheesecloth or a strainer and drunk ten or fifteen minutes before eating, half or a third of a glass of broth three or four times a day. The same composition is used to wash the wound, as well as to make a lotion.
A severe dry cough causes a lot of distress and discomfort. To relieve seizures and soften sputum, decoctions made from collections of various plants, which include plantain, are recommended.
Recipe number 1: you need to mix 3 tablespoons of plantain leaves, coltsfoot leaves and pine buds. 2 tablespoons of the mixture are poured into 300 ml of warm water and boiled for 5-10 minutes. Then the medicine must be removed from the heat, insist for 1 hour in a dark place and take 100 ml 2 times a day.
Recipe number 2: you should take 2 tablespoons of plantain leaves, black elderberry and violet grass, mix everything well, add 250 ml of warm water, bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes, then wrap well and leave to infuse for about for 1 hour. Take this remedy 2 times a day, 100 ml.
Plantain infusion
Plantain infusion is indispensable in the case of whooping cough, tuberculosis, bronchitis and bronchial asthma due to its expectorant effect. An aqueous infusion of plant leaves heals and disinfects abscesses, wounds, skin ulcers, boils and cuts. The juice obtained from the leaves helps with chronic gastritis, ulcers and other diseases of the intestines and stomach. His recipe: to insist raw materials on vodka, taking in equal amounts of yarrow and plantain, and use to stop the blood, to disinfect and heal various wounds.
The infusion is usually prepared from the tender parts of the plant - leaves, pouring warm water and insisting for the time necessary for saturation, or it is kept for several minutes in a water bath, and then insisted.
Recipe number 1: you need 3-4 tablespoons of chopped leaves and half a liter of not very hot water. The composition is insisted for about 1.5 hours and taken 1-2 tablespoons several times a day.
Recipe No. 2: 25 g of raw materials are poured with 200 ml of boiling water, infused for 1 hour, filtered and taken in 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day.
Plantain tincture
For medicinal purposes, extracts are prepared from plant raw materials using alcohol or vodka. This is how the tincture turns out. For this, parts of the plant are crushed, poured into a dark glass dish, filled with an extracting liquid and tightly sealed. The tincture is kept for a certain time at room temperature in a place protected from light penetration; it must be shaken from time to time. Alcohol tincture can be stored for a long time, it is dosed as needed in quantities indicated by doctors or traditional healers.
Plantain tincture recipe: 200 ml of plantain juice (or just 200 grams of leaves), you need to pour 200 ml of vodka and insist in a dark place for 15 days, then strain. Such a remedy is taken once a day, based on 10 kg of a person's weight, 3 ml of tincture. The duration of the course is 3-4 weeks.
Plantain leaf
Plantain leaves help to disinfect the wound, and are also a hemostatic agent. To do this, the leaves of the plant must be washed, and then either applied entirely to the wounds, or crushed and applied to it. The result will be an easing of painful sensations as well as stopped blood. Plantain is a sedative and is used for insomnia and allergies. Plantain remedy: you need to mix a glass of very hot water with three tablespoons of plant leaves and leave for four hours, and then pass through a strainer or gauze, after which the medicine can be drunk three times a day for a third of the glass.
The leaves contain aucubin glycoside, ascorbic acid, carotene and vitamin K. They contain enough bitter and tannins called methylmethionines. Fresh leaves contain flavonoids, mannitol, sorbitol, citric and oleanolic acids are found. Raw materials are hygroscopic, so they should be stored in sealed containers. Means from plantain leaves are saturated with pectins, saponins and other beneficial substances that have a positive effect on the male sex glands. It is good to use the leaves for colitis, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, and preparations from plantain leaves are used to treat cholecystitis.
Studies carried out in the USSR and abroad have revealed the pharmacodynamic activity of the leaves of the great plantain. Juice is squeezed out of fresh plantain leaves, an infusion and extract are prepared, which are used as a hemostatic, bacteriostatic, wound healing, expectorant and antihypertensive agent. For severe forms of peptic ulcer disease, water and alcohol extracts of plantain leaves are very helpful.
Plantain leaf infusion: 1 tablespoon of the herb is brewed with one glass of boiling water, infused for 10 minutes. It is recommended to take the medicine one hour before meals, distributing the entire amount per day.
The effect of such a drug on the inhibition of gastric motor activity, the antispasmodic effect of the drug, its ability to normalize the content of cholesterol, b-lipoproteins, lipids, phospholipids, and blood pressure has been experimentally proven.
The crushed or grated leaves of the plant are also used to stop the blood. It must be remembered that before using drugs that stop blood, an analysis for prothrombin is required, as well as a preliminary consultation with a doctor, otherwise this can harm health due to an increase in the index, the result may be a stroke.
Plantain seeds
Plantain seeds are used to heal cracks in the nipples of mothers who are breastfeeding, and are also used as poultices on the basis of seeds to relieve inflammation in diseases of the skin or mucous membranes. To do this, the seeds are placed in hot water, and then, allowing them to swell, they are crushed. For the treatment of diabetes mellitus or female infertility, a decoction from seeds is used, it is taken three times a day for one or two months in a tablespoon.
The seeds of various types of plantains contain mucus. They also contain fatty oil, oleanolic acid and nitrogenous substances. Taking seeds daily helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Plantain seeds cleanse the body from bile acids, lower blood sugar levels. A decoction of seeds is used for hormonal deficiency in women.
Recipe for infusion No. 1: 1 tablespoon of seeds is poured with 250 ml of water, boiled for five minutes and infused for 30–40 minutes. Apply the remedy 1 tablespoon 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 1–2 months. The decoction is also suitable for men in order to prevent impotence and prostate diseases after 35 years.
Recipe for infusion No. 2: 25 g of raw materials are poured with 200 ml of boiling water, shaken for a long time, then filtered. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day before meals. Stomach disorders are treated with seed powder, which has anchoring properties.
Decoctions and infusions of seeds are used for achilia, for constipation and the presence of chronic spasms of smooth muscles. In this case, you need to take 1 tablespoon of seeds on an empty stomach and drink it with warm water.
Psyllium husk
The husk is obtained by splitting the seeds of the plant. It is used for constipation, to treat skin irritations, it is widely used by Chinese and Indian doctors and healers to eliminate problems with the bladder. Peeling constipation, hemorrhoids are treated. The husk helps to reduce blood pressure and restore the function of the cardiovascular system. The husk is rich in insoluble fiber - it is a mild laxative, the husk of the seeds contains alkaloids and amino acids.
Husk is used together with seeds as a thickening agent in cooking and cosmetology. When combined with water, it swells, forming a glandular mass, excellently influencing the stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract, ideal for eliminating irritation of the colon and hemorrhoidal symptoms. The use of such a natural purifier helps to get rid of toxins and reduces the risk of cancer.
The husk supports the growth of the beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria, which are recommended for normal intestinal function. It is included in trendy diets: the satiety property allows for weight loss. Healing husk should always be taken with water. Drink about 6-8 glasses of water throughout the day to prevent constipation and bloating.
Big plantain
A perennial herb of the plantain family - large plantain. It is distributed almost throughout the CIS. The plant propagates by seeds, which, sticking to people's shoes, to the paws of animals and the wheels of cars, are transported over long distances. Wherever people settle, plantain begins to grow. For medicinal purposes, raw materials are harvested in the flowering phase. When cutting the stems, it is recommended to leave well-developed parts, do not cut the outlet, otherwise the plant will not develop further and die. The smell of fresh and dry raw materials is moderate, has a slight bitter taste. Plantain can be stored for 2 years.
Contraindications to the use of plantain
Plantain is contraindicated in case of increased acidity and excessive production of gastric juice, as well as in certain types of ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract. There are also some types of intestinal and stomach ulcers, in which psyllium preparations are contraindicated. Therefore, before using drugs based on plantain, you should consult a doctor.
Contraindication for treatment with this plant will be increased blood clotting, the presence of blood clots. Long-term use of drugs from plantain can cause high blood clotting and cause a tendency to thrombosis.
Another contraindication is individual intolerance to this plant or allergic reactions to it. For this reason, allergy sufferers and asthmatics should be especially careful when starting treatment with psyllium preparations. For starters, you can take small doses so that the body gets used to the new medicine, and thereby avoid severe allergic reactions.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
