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Plantain (Plantago Spp.)
Plantaginaceae
Broadleaf plantain" and "greater plantain", other common names include: common plantain, broad-leave
Allantoin, aucubin, ursolic acid, flavonoids, and asperuloside.
Used for
Wound healing, antipyretic, antitussive, anti-infective, anti-hemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, laxative, astringent and hemostatic. Various diseases such as constipation, coughs, wounds, infection, fever, bleeding and inflammation, helps to improve nervous pains such as earache by using drops or massage of mucilage, or nasal inhalation.
Ophthalmic effects
Plantago is effective in the treatment of many eye diseases including eye choroid diseases, day blindness, conjunctivitis and eyes sores. Leaf juice has been used as drops with other herbs or independently, in addition to the oral form.
Pulmonary effects
Plantago can treat hemoptysis, asthma, tuberculosis, lung and plural lesions and it was used as decoction and incense. The leaf extract was suitable for treating lung and plural lesions. Taken orally with honey is the most desirable dosage form for treating pulmonary disorders
Gastrointestinal effects
Plantago is effective in upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding, hematemesis, dysentery, hemorrhoids, stomachache, intestinal ulcers, dyspepsia and constipation by eating the extract and baking leaves with salt and vinegar or enema of extract or its mucilage 60 secondary metabolites have been identified from the Plantago herb including phenylethanoid glycosides, triterpenoids, polysaccharides, phenolic acids and other compounds such as alkaloids, caffeic acid derivatives, coumarins, fats and oils, mucilage, polysaccharides, sterols and volatile substances. According to a number of studies of various leaf extracts, (petroleum ether, methanol, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous) 51 components were isolated. Most components in petroleum ether extract were phytol, benzofuranone, pentanediol and benzene propanoic acid and in methanol extract, group of diglycerol and glycol contain organic acids, such as fumaric acid, syringic acid, vanillic acid, p-hydroxy benzoic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, gentisic acid, traces of salicylic acid, benzoic acid and cinnamic acid were found. In ethyl acetate extract, glycerine, benzene and dibutyl phthalate were isolated and in n-butanol extract, there were phthalic acid, benzene propanoic acid and groups of phenols. Finally, in aqueous extract ethnophenol, diathiapentene, napthalenone and glycerine were found. Additionally, all of these five extracts had phenol groups
Dermatologic effects
Plantago is used in different kinds of wound and skin diseases in TPM such as deep wound, purulent wound, chronic and progressive wound, malignant wound, fire burn, erysipelas, progressive blister, pruritus, irritating urticarial and fistula, by sprinkling the plant powder on the wound or its plaster with salt or separately. It is also used for head and face skin ulcers in the same manner.
Slight anti-herpes virus activity versus the caffeic acid, which exhibited the strongest activity against HSV-1, HSV-2 and ADV-3. However, chlorogenic acid possessed the strongest anti-ADV-11 activity. Ethyl alcohol extract showed antibacterial activity against E. coli and Bacillus cereus and acetone extract was effective on bacteria species (Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella enteritidis) in different concentrations. Plantago major extract also showed acceptable potency against C. albicans comparable to synthetic antifungal agents.
Survival uses
The mature plant contains pliable and tough fibres that can be used in survival situations to make small cords, fishing line, sutures, or braiding.
Edibility
Leaf is high in calcium and vitamins A, C, and K. The young, tender leaves can be eaten raw, and the older, stringier leaves can be boiled in stews and eaten.
The leaves are edible as a salad green when young and tender, but they quickly become tough and fibrous as they get older. The older leaves can be cooked in stews. The leaves contain calcium and other minerals, with 100 grams of plantain containing approximately the same amount of beta-carotene as a large carrot. The seeds are so small that they are tedious to gather, but they can be ground into a flour substitute or extender.
The seeds of plantain are a common "contaminant" in cereal grain and other crop seeds. Psyllium husk used in Metamusal.
Ecology
Grows in lawns and fields, along roadsides, and in other areas that have been disturbed by humans. It does particularly well in compacted or disturbed soils. It is believed to be one of the first plants to reach North America after European colonization. Reportedly brought to the Americas by Puritan colonizers, plantain was known among some Native American peoples by the common name "white man's footprint", because it thrived in the disturbed and damaged ecosystems surrounding European settlements. The ability of plantain to survive frequent trampling and colonize compacted soils makes it important for soil rehabilitation. Its roots break up hardpan surfaces, while simultaneously holding together the soil to prevent erosion.