The common garden weed called plantain has edible leaves and seeds. It may offer health benefits.
Our ancestors used it often, both in the kitchen and as a natural remedy.Plantain lanceolata is one of the most commonly found wild medicinal herbs in our country and can be used for the preparation of healing infusions, tinctures and syrups.
Ribwort plantain (piantaggine lanceolata) is a wild herb that grows almost everywhere in our countryside, and belongs to the same family as greater plantain, the latter different because of its wider leaves.
In peasant tradition, plantain was used as a “first aid” remedy, so much so that an old peasant adage said that “the way to the plantain is shorter than the doctor’s.”
Obviously, this plant cannot replace the doctor, however, it still offers healing properties that should not be ignored, and we list them for you below.
Plantain lanceolata contains flavonoids, iridoids, mucilage, tannins, and minerals, all of which are rich in health benefits.
It is a plant notable for its relaxing and expectorant action, toning of mucous membranes, antispasmodic, anticatarrhal, healing and hemostatic.
Plantain lanceolata can be used in the following ways:
Tincture: Take 3-5 ml (60 drops – 1 teaspoon) 3 times a day to combat catarrh or digestive problems, such as gastritis or irritable bowel syndrome.
Juice: Use the dried leaves to make a juice and take 2 teaspoons 3 times a day. This is used against cystitis, diarrhea and lung infections. You can also apply the juice to wounds.
Infusion: Drink a cup 3 times a day to fight phlegm. Use the infusion to gargle and relieve an inflamed throat.
Syrup: Add 225 grams of sugar to 300 ml of infusion and take 5 ml (1 teaspoon) to relieve inflamed throat and cough.
Poultices: Grind the green leaves to prepare a poultice for wounds that have slow healing or chronic ulcers. Also useful for insect bites.
Now that you know all the wonderful properties of plantain lanceolata, the next time you see one, pick it up and try using it-it’s a wonder of nature.
