Plantain (Plantago) Flashcards
(14 cards)
What are the energetics of Plantain?
Cooling and moistening
What conditions are plantain leaves used for?
Hot conditions, minor cuts and bruises, puncture wounds (e.g. splinters), inflammation, swelling, water retention (edema), dry internal environment (dry persistent cough), infections, gastrointestinal inflammation, excessive histamine response and seasonal allergies
What are the properties of Plantain?
Demulcent (provides moisture to dry tissues)
Diuretic (movement of cellular waste through kidneys and lymphatic systems)
Expectorant (makes mucous less sticky and thick so it’s easier to cough it out)
Astringent (draw out tissue, tightening and toning tissue, to reduce excessive secretion or bleeding)
Vulnerary (form an impervious layer over a wound, allowing the natural healing process to occur - accelerates healing)
Ant-microbial (prevents microbes from entering the wound and infecting the area)
Anti-inflammatory (reduces inflammation by soothing irritated tissue)
Nutritive (contains vitamins and minerals the body needs)
What parts of Plantain are used for medicine?
Leaves
Seeds
Roots
What preparations can you make with Plantain?
Poultice, infusion, tincture, tea, vinegar, salads, food, oil, salve
What are the common names of Plantain?
White man’s footstep (colonizers)
Ribwort (veins in leaves)
Fleawort (plantain seeds repel fleas)
How are Plaintain seeds used medicinally?
Plantain seeds are known as psyllium or psyllium husks and are a known treatment for constipation due to high mucilagenous and fibre content.
Seeds are edible and can be eaten raw or added to cooked foods.
Whole Plantain seed stalks can be steamed and eaten.
What are the two most common species of broadleaf Plantain?
Plantago major (white stem) - native to Europe
Plantago rugelii (reddish stem) - native to North America
Where does the Plantain plant originate from and how did it come to North America?
Originally from Eurasia
How many species of Plantain are there?
Over 200 species
What are the two types of Plantain commonly used for medicine?
Broadleaf Plantain (major (European), rugelii (North American)
Narrowleaf Plantain (lanceolata)
Describe the Plantain plant.
Green paralleled-veined, egg-shaped leaves growing floret-style with a long seed stalks growing out of them.
Plantago major has white stems
Plantago rugii has reddish stems
What growing conditions does Plantain prefer and how does it interact with the soil?
Grows in many places including roadsides, lawns, pathways, disturbed soil , dense compacted soil. It prefers rich loamy soils with good drainage.
Plantain can be an indicator of alkaline soil (high pH) with low fertility.
Tell me about heart-leaved Plantain.
It’s endangered and listed as Endangered under Schedule 1 of SARA. In Canada, there are only two populations left near southern Lake Huron. It grows in un disturbed woody areas along streams and where moisture is ever present and hangs low above the ground.
Threatened by quality and availability of habitat as a result of nutrient enrichment from agricultural runoff, clearing of riparian vegetation, alteration of the steambed (ditching, draining, damming), timber harvest and land development and collection for food and medicinal uses (need for responsible stewardship of the land).
