Plantain - Plantago lanceolata/major

Properties : Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Vulnerary, Laxative, Astringent, Hemostatic and Diuretic

Culpepper tells us that the Plantain is 'in the command of Venus and cures the head by antipathy to Mars, neither is there hardly a martial disease but it cures.' He also states that 'the water is used for all manner of spreading scabs, tetters, ringworm, shingles, etc.'

The two Plantain species, Ribwort and Greater are used interchangeably. Rubbed on parts of the body stung by insects, nettles, etc., or as an application to burns and scalds, the leaves will give relief and will stay the bleeding of minor wounds and act as a poultice to draw out splinters.

Plantain is also used when taken as a tea for inflamed sinuses and hayfever.

A July 2000 study of the claimed wound healing activity of P. major found that it is not necessarily only one single compound that is responsible for this effect, the effect may well be due to several compounds that act in a synergistic manner or to compounds which regulate one another. Plantamajoside and acteoside have antibacterial activities, some flavonoids and the caffeic acid derivatives have antioxidative and free radical scavenging activities, pectic polysaccharides have been reported to be effective against ulcers in rats and for having immunostimulatory activities and finally, the long chained saturated primary alcohols that are present in the leaf wax aid the healing of superficial wounds and also contain compounds with anti-inflammatory activity.