Plantain is a medicinal plant of the plantain family (Plantaginaceae), which includes more than 250 species. In the article we will talk about the plantain great, it's a medicinal plantain, a sevenfold, a cutter, a chieve grass. The Latin name is formed from the "plant" (sole) and "agere" (move), as the leaves of the plantain resemble the footprint. The Russian name indicates the prime location of growth, since this unpretentious plant is very often found near the road, on wastelands, fringes, banks of reservoirs, near housing.
Healing properties of plantain
Among various, recognized not only folk, but also official medicine of medicinal plants, plantain occupies an honorable place. Let's try to figure out what the plantain is so useful.
It turns out that its leaves contain glycoside rinatin, bitter and tannic substances, carotene, provitamin A, vitamins C and K, citric acid. It is these active substances that determine the medicinal properties of plantain and its effect on the human body.
In medicine, plantain is recommended for the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, less often - in anemia, diseases of the vascular and respiratory system. In traditional medicine, the emphasis is most often made on the anti-inflammatory and tanning properties of plantain.
Substances contained in the leaves of plantain, serve as antiulcer and positively affect the exchange of cholesterol, have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, are effective in wound infections, staphylococci, intestinal and pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Treatment with plantain
Plantain is widely used in the treatment of various diseases. Use leaves in its pure form, seeds, juice, infusion, specially prepared syrup and alcohol tincture of plantain. To make infusion, 2 tablespoons of dried raw material is poured into a glass of boiling water and insisted for at least 6 hours.
The juice of plantain is squeezed from fresh leaves, previously rinsed and scalded. After that, the raw material is passed through a meat grinder, and the juice is squeezed out of the resulting mass.
Plantain in medicine
- Plantain for infections . In the case of wounds and external inflammatory processes, plantain leaves are often used, which are pre-washed, cut with a knife and applied to the wound, with a bandage. To wash the wounds, you can use the plantain infusion. For inflammation of the cornea, plantain juice is used, diluted in proportion 1: 2 (with the threat of staphylococcal and streptococcal infection), or 1: 4 (with suspicion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa).
- Plantain with gastritis . An infusion of plantain is used, which should be drunk on a third of glass half an hour before meals. You can also take psyllium juice one tablespoon by the same scheme. The course of treatment is 1-1.5 months.
- Plantain for colds . With bronchitis , tracheitis, laryngitis, a mixture of plantain with honey is considered to be especially effective. Three tablespoons of leaves pour a glass of boiling water and bring to a boil, after which the mixture is cooled and add 3 tablespoons of honey. Take the resulting mixture of 1 teaspoon, ranging from 4-5 times, and ending with the reception every hour with especially severe attacks of cough.
- Plantain with infertility .
In this case, a decoction of the plantain seed is used. A tablespoon of seeds is poured with a glass of boiling water and boiled for 5 minutes on a small fire, after which the broth is cooled and taken 2 tablespoons 4 times a day.
Contraindications for use
As with any drug, in addition to numerous useful properties, there are contraindications to the use of plantain. In addition to individual intolerance, plantain is not prescribed for certain types of stomach ulcers, with increased acidity, with a tendency to thrombosis, increased blood coagulability. Prolonged use of the plantain in itself can increase blood coagulability and increase the tendency to form blood clots.