Herb Of The Week - Plantain

[Guest guest]

Some wonderful info about plantain from the International College Of

Herbal Medicine.

It was their herb of the month back in May/June of 2002 .. see, I told

ya it was good stuff

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

http://www.herbcollege.com/herbofthemonth.asp?id=41

 

MAY/JUNE 2002 Plantago ssp - Plantain

 

This months plant profile for 'Keeping the Plants Alive' is written by

Clare Baker, photos are by Barry O'Brien.

 

 

The Old Ways

Common weed, gentle but not ineffective.

 

Traditional Uses

The leaves, seeds, and roots are highly mucilaginous and Plantain has a

rich history of traditional use particularly in the treatment of sores

and skin ailments of all types, diseases related to the respiratory

organs, digestive organs, reproduction, the circulation, against cancer,

for pain relief and against infections.

 

More specifically, for diarrhoea and all stomach and intestinal

problems, as an eyewash, for internal bleeding/haemorrhage – including

post-partum, for respiratory tract/pulmonary problems including coughs

and bronchitis.

 

It has a special affiliation for children and is often mentioned as an

excellent remedy for children's coughs and diarrhoea.

 

Dioscorides and Galen used Plantago both internally and externally.

 

Culpeper used the seeds as treatment for dropsy, epilepsy, jaundice, and

“the spitting of blood” (tuberculosis).

 

An Arabian and Persian remedy for dysentery and all other stomach and

intestinal trouble.

 

In New Zealand the boiled leaves were used for ulcers, the upper side

was used to draw the wound and the underside applied to aid the healing.

The water in which the leaves were boiled was used for scalds and burns

and internally as a uterine stimulant.

 

A decoction of Plantain leaves, Clover and Puha was mixed with salt and

drunk in cases of retention of the placenta. The juice from bruised,

heated, or boiled leaves was used for cuts and boils, particularly when

septic. Also for cracked lips. Bruised leaves on boils and burns. The

plant was boiled and the liquid and steam were applied to haemorrhoids.

 

In Hawaii P major leaves were used for skin troubles. Leaves were used

to rub on bee stings to relieve the sting. Mentioned in many European

pharmacopoeias as an emollient and for curing inflamed gums. Included in

the Philippine National Formulary as a remedy for inflamed gums and skin

irritations. (Brooker et al, 1987. pps 191-3)

 

 

The New Ways

Mainly focus on the use of ointments for skin irritations and alcohol

preparations for the treatment of coughs and bronchitis although as well

as wound healing activity a range of biological activities has been

found from plant extracts including anti-inflammatory, analgesic,

antioxidant, antibiotic, immuno-modulating and antiulcerogenic

properties.

 

· Contains iridoid glycosides and phenols and is mucilage rich

· Anti-inflammatory activity (catalpol derivatives)

· Leaves are traditionally used topically as an emollient, and itch and

sting relieving treatment in skin conditions.

 

Vitamins and Minerals

Contains vitamins A, C, and K and high levels of calcium, magnesium,

sodium, phosphorous, zinc, copper and cobalt.

 

Animal Health Benefits

The seeds are used as bird feed.

Anecdotal literature and laboratory experiments suggest that plantain

has some anthelmintic properties. It has been shown to reduce scouring

and dags on sheep in some trials. Plantain contains chemical compounds

with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumour properties.

 

Uses Internal

The whole plant is strongly mucilaginous accounting for its soothing and

healing effects on the skin and mucous membranes. The leaves of P. major

are reputed to contain substances which have some effect on reducing

total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, and lipoproteins in the blood.

Aqueous extracts of the plant have anti-inflammatory effects and

strengthen capillary walls, while plantaglucide, in the leaves, shows

anti-gastric ulcer activity.

 

 

 

WHAT PLANT?

Plantain

Plantaginaceae

Plantago lanceolata, Narrow-leaved Plantain, Ribwort

 

Plantago major, Greater Plantain, Broad-leaved Plantain

 

 

There are many species of Plantain, reputedly over 200 worldwide.

Medicinally P. lanceolata and P. major are the most commonly mentioned

in herbal texts. Of these two P. major is more often profiled but P.

lanceolata is usually also mentioned and the two are said to have

similar properties.

 

Over the last decade more attention has been paid to P. lanceolata and

its it is the only species of the two, listed as having been cultivated

commercially. This has been carried out in recent times in Eastern

Europe, Russia, France, Spain, and the United States.

 

Botanical description and habitat

Perennial, native to Europe but is naturalised in many temperate regions

throughout the world. A common lawn and pasture weed in New Zealand and

the coastal and southern regions of Australia. Common in pastures, on

roadsides, waste places, riverbeds, and although often seeming to prefer

dry, sandy soil, if transplanted to good garden soil it will always

thrive.

 

Roots: branching, thin, greyish-white.

 

Flowers stalks: P. lanceolata: Erect, furrowed, leafless, up to 50cm

(although I have seen a magnificent specimen growing in the city that

had flower stems almost a metre high). P. major: shorter stalks and

longer flowers (5-10 cm).

 

Flowers: P. lanceolata: flowers occur in a single spike per stem, up to

2.5 cm long, cone-shaped or cylindrical, very compact (similar in look

and feel to a catkin), odourless, grey-green turning dark brown-black on

ripening with tiny, four parted, creamy-white flowers with long stamens.

Flowers during midsummer.

P. major: longer (5-10 cm) with smaller, darker seeds. Flowers into late

autumn.

 

Of Plantago lanceolata are a basal rosette of radical, erect,

lanceolate, 5 – 25 cm long, often purplish at the base and each with 3 –

5 longitudinal ribs. Covered with fine hairs on top and hairy along the

ribs underneath. P. major has broad ovate leaves with 7 ribs.

 

Seeds: P. lanceolata seeds about 1 mm long, black-brown, oval.

P. major seeds smaller, rounder, brown.

 

Growing hints: Wild plant

 

 

 

 

WHAT PART AND WHEN TO HARVEST?

Traditionally the whole plant has been used medicinally with the leaves

being the most commonly used part in current herbal preparations. The

leaves are harvested during late spring and summer, flowers as they

arise depending on the climate, and roots generally spring or autumn.

 

 

 

HOW TO USE

Plantain is rich in mucilage and is therefore used as both a soothing

and restorative treatment for mucous membranes and skin.

§ Coughs

§ Asthma

§ Bronchitis

§ Ulcers

§ Diarrhoea

§ Haemorrhoids

§ Cystitis

§ Liver tonic

§ Hayfever

 

Uses External

§ Wounds of all kinds – particularly effective at removing the itch from

bites and the sting from cuts and grazes. Aids the healing of most skin

disorders including psoriasis, cracked skin, and pimples.

§ As a drawing poultice finely chop or chew a Plantain leaf then mix

with a pinch of cayenne powder. Apply to the site and bandage lightly.

Change every 4 hours.

§ Haemorrhoids (ointment)

§ Nappy rash (ointment)

§ Minor burns including mild sunburn (oil, ointment)

§ Conjunctivitis (eyewash)

§ Gum disease, inflammation, mouth ulcers (mouth wash)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO PREPARE

Medicinal preparations can be made from both dried and fresh plants.

Traditionally infusions, decoctions, poultices, and ointments were used

while today liquid extracts (fluid extracts, tinctures) are also used.

 

FROM DRIED PLANTS

Plantain Tincture

Take 50gm of finely ground plant material; place it in a jar with 250mls

of menstruum (the alcohol/water mix). You will need 25% alcohol. This

makes a 1:5 preparation where one part of the herb is represented by

five parts of the menstruum. Macerate (allow to sit) for 2 to 6 weeks.

 

When the maceration is complete, the plant material is pressed out. It

is important that as much as possible of the precious liquid is squeezed

out. This can be done using a citrus or wine press or squeezing the

liquid through a square of cotton or cheesecloth. The tincture can now

be bottled, preferably in amber glass, stored away from the light and at

an even temperature. Some herbalists also filter the liquid at this

stage.

 

FROM FRESH PLANTS

Plantain Fresh Juice

Juice a handful of fresh leaves and flower heads along with a carrot or

any other fruit or vegetable juice.

 

Plantain Syrup

Simmer equal parts of honey and the juice of the leaves for twenty

minutes and store in a well-sealed glass container. Excellent as a cough

remedy for children.

 

Plantain Tea

Fresh or dried leaves may be used for teas or infusions. For tea use one

or two fresh leaves or 1 tsp of dried leaf to one cup of boiling water.

Traditional recipes often called for the fresh leaves to be boiled for a

short time and left for up to two hours before being drunk.

 

Plantain Fresh Plant Tincture

Place 100gms of finely chopped fresh leaves in 230 mls of 25% alcohol.

The maceration time is as for dried plant tinctures.

Strain off the liquid and squeeze as much of the liquid out of the plant

matter as possible using cheesecloth or a juice press.

 

Plantain Oil

Collect the leaves after the dew has dried. Allow them to wilt for a day

in the shade. Finely chop the plant material and loosely pack it into a

jar. Cover it well with a cold pressed oil or extra virgin olive oil.

Seal the jar, put it in brown paper bag in the sun for 2 - 6 weeks.

Strain when ready and leave to settle for 2-3 days. The result should be

a beautiful, deep green, powerfully healing oil.

 

Plantain Ointment

Place a small jar in a saucepan containing a small amount of water.

Allow the water to simmer at the lowest possible heat. In the jar place

approximately 1 Tbsp of beeswax to every 30 mls of Plantain oil. Stir

with a wooden chopstick to ensure all the wax has melted. Remove from

the heat and allow to set.

 

 

HOW MUCH TO USE

For 1:5 tincture 6 – 12 mls daily in divided doses.

For oils and ointments, use topically as required.

For tea: 1-3 cups daily

For infusion: 1-3 cups daily

For juice: take as required

 

 

SAFETY

Plantain is safe to use.

 

 

 

RESEARCH REVIEW

A reasonable amount of medical, pharmacological, and agricultural

research over the past decade has focussed on P. lanceolata and P. major

for the following reasons.

§ Aucubin content

§ Catalpol content.

§ Wound healing

§ Anti-inflammatory action in upper respiratory infections

§ Immunostimulatory properties

§ Possible hepato-protective properties

§ Usefulness as pasture crop

§ Allergenic properties of the pollen from P. lanceolata

 

Aucubin

Both P. major and P. lanceolata contain a glycoside of the monoterpene

class (iridoid) called aucubin. Numerous scientific papers have been

written about this particular member of the monoterpene family, the

general characteristics of which are: sedative, anaesthetic, alterative,

antiseptic, anti-viral, anti-toxic, anti-histaminic, anti-inflammatory,

anti-rheumatic, anti-tumour, anti-cancer, anti-carcinogenic, diuretic,

expectorant, hypotensive, organoleptic (odour, taste)

 

Aucubin has been shown to have potent liver protecting properties (in

rats and mice). Both aucubin and a haemolytic saponin from Plantain

leaves have been shown to be active against Staphylococcus aureus1.

 

In one study aucubin was found to suppress hepatitis B viral DNA

replication in vitro2.

 

Catalpol

Catalpol has many functions including stimulating production of adrenal

cortical hormones, which increase the production of sex hormones and

stimulation of the production of adrenal gland androgens. It has

anti-inflammatory properties and is implicated in wound healing.

 

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

The two Plantains have been used to treat upper respiratory infections

traditionally and while only few clinical data are available results of

research confirms anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic and immunostimulatory

actions. In one German study the use of P. lanceolata in moderate

chronic irritative cough, especially for children, was found to be very

beneficial3.

 

In 1982 a clinical trial of an alcohol preparation of P. major in the

treatment of chronic bronchitis treated twenty-five patients for 25-30

days. A rapid improvement was experienced by 80 per cent of patients4.

 

An extract of P. major is included as a mild sedative in a patented

preparation for breaking the smoking habit. (Brooker et al, 1987. p 192)

 

Immunostimulatory Properties

A study carried out by the National Institute of Public Health in Oslo,

Norway showed that a pectin type polysaccharide fraction, PMII, isolated

from the leaves of Plantago major, is a potent complement activator with

an activity similar to that of human immunoglobulin (Ig)G5.

 

Research carried out by the Department of Biomedical and Therapeutic

Sciences at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in the USA

showed a link between P. major leaf extracts and stimulation of immune

system functions6.

 

Hepato Protection

Some research exists linking P. lanceolata with hepato-protective

actions in mice and rats. Plantain has traditionally been used as a

liver support herb although not so much today.

 

Wound Healing

Much medical research has been undertaken into the use of the Plantains

for wound healing and skin ailments in general. The majority of herbal

texts list many uses of this nature.

 

Allergenic Properties

The pollen from P. lanceolata is a common allergen implicated as a

contributing factor in asthma and bronchitic problems. Three specific

allergens have been detected in P. lanceolata pollen7.

 

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS

Standardised Extract

Where a chemical constituent in the plant is at a set level between

batches of the commercial preparation. In the case of St John's Wort the

level is set at that which has been used in the clinical trials.

 

Liquid Extract

These are tinctures made by maceration, or fluid extracts generally

prepared by percolation usually using alcohol to extract the plant

constituents.

Herbalists use them because a more precise dose and more personalised

formulation can be prepared.

 

Tablets

A great degree of processing is required to achieve a therapeutic dose

in a tablet.

Also precise formulations and dosing are difficult to achieve.

 

Capsules

Convenient but many would have to be taken to achieve a therapeutic

dose.

 

Infusions and Decoctions

These were the traditional ways of preparing herbal medicines. Many

herbalists continue to use these and they are especially useful for the

treatment of people with fevers and urinary tract infections, as well as

for nourishment.

 

 

 

 

REFERENCES

Books

Brooker, S. G., Cambie, R. C., Cooper, R. C., (1987). New Zealand

medicinal plants; p 192

Reed Books, NZ

 

Journals

1. Tarle, D., Petricic, J. and Kupinic, M. Antibiotic effects of

aucubin, saponins and extract of Plantain leaf – herbe or folium

Plantago lanceolata. Farm. Glas. 37: 351– 54, 1981. (Ca 1982, 96:40797)

sited in Brooker et al, 1987.

 

2. Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol 1998 Nov;102(2):189-204

Liver-protective activities of aucubin derived from traditional oriental

medicine.

Chang IM.

 

3. Wien Med Wochenschr 1999;149(8-10):211-6

Plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.: anti-inflammatory action in upper

respiratory tract infections]

Wegener T, Kraft K.

 

4. Vutr Boles. 1982;21(2):133-7. Bulgarian

Clinical trial of a Plantago major preparation in the treatment of

chronic bronchitis

Matev M, Angelova I, Koichev A, Leseva M, Stefanov G.

 

5. Phytotherapy Res 2000 Dec; 14(8): 617-22

Immunoenhancing properties of Plantago major leaf extract.

Gomez-Flores R, Calderon CL, Scheibel LW, Tamez-Guerra P,

Rodriguez-Padilla C, Tamez-Guerra R, Weber RJ.

 

6. Allergy 2000 Nov;55(11):1059-62

Detection of allergens in plantain (Plantago lanceolata) pollen.

Asero R, Mistrello G, Roncarolo D, Casarini M.

 

7. Scand J Immunol 2000 Nov; 52(5): 483-90

Michaelsen TE, Gilje A, Samuelsen AB, Hogasen K, Paulsen BS

 

 

 

 

REFLECTIONS

In my humble opinion Plantain has no equal as a skin healing herb.

 

LINKS

For some very beautiful Plantain images check out the following site:

www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/imaxxptg.htm