This little weed pops up in gardens, on lawns and even in driveway cracks. Those bushy green leaves and small, stalk-like buds are part of the miraculous plantain. Plantain is one of the most medicinally powerful “nuisance” plants. For hundreds of years, plantain has been used as one of nature’s most powerful medicines, and for very good reason.
Its unique nutritive potential could help you clear up skin can, overcome difficult menstrual cycles and even treat painful arthritis.
Aid in Healthy Digestion
Plantain is your cure in case of constant digestive problems due to antibiotics, food allergies or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The leaves and seeds of the plant are believed to aid in reducing inflammation and help repair damage to the gut lining.
When steeped, plantain leaves can be turned into an extract for use as a gut healer. The seeds of plantain are also beneficial in maintaining a clean digestive tract, acting similarly to psyllium husk in absorbing toxins and creating firmer stools.
A Wound-Healer
Life Advancer Explains: “Because it draws toxins from the body with its astringent nature, plantain may be crushed (or chewed) and placed as a poultice directly over the site of bee stings, bug bites, acne, slivers, glass splinters, or rashes,”.
So, one of the numerous uses is that it can serve as an astringent for wounds and bug bites. Simply chewing plantain leaf or crushing and grinding it, produces an effective poultice to draw out poisons from the skin and prevent infections and scarring.
Treatment of Hemorrhoids
“Plantain is one of Western herbalism’ s primary topical healing agents, used as a lotion, ointment, compress, or poultice for cuts and bruises,” adds Hoffmann in his book. “It may be applied topically for hemorrhoids and skin ulcerations.”
The same abovementioned astringent properties that make it an effective wound- healer, also make it an effective remedy for hemorrhoids. When processed and turned into a lotion or ointment, plantain can be applied to hemorrhoids to stop the flow of blood, which is also useful in the treatment of cystitis accompanied by bleeding.
Treatment of Congestion, Respiratory Problems
Plantain is an impressive expectorant, due to the large quantities of mineral silica it contains. This makes it a fantastic means to effectively treat coughs, clear up congestion and mucus, colds and various other respiratory ailments.
“Plantain acts as a gentle expectorant while soothing inflamed and sore membranes, making it ideal for coughs and mild bronchitis,” wrote David Hoffmann, FNIMH, AHG, in his book Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine.
Treatment of All Blood Diseases, and Nearly All Other Diseases
“Plantain is almost a panacea for the human body, treating everything from all menstrual difficulties, all digestive issues, to nearly all skin complaints, and even arthritis,” claims Life Advancer about the amazing healing potential of plantain.
To be on the up and up, there seems to be very few health conditions that plantain can’t treat. According to The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, written by Dr. Finley Ellingwood, MD, in 1919, plantain is effective against virtually all blood diseases, diarrheal conditions, female disorders, injuries, bites and rashes on the skin, many glandular diseases and mercury poisoning.
To sum up, simply use this miracle whenever you can: “add it to salads, chew to ease thirst, or enjoy it in stir fries. This versatile wild vegetable will keep you healthy and satisfied for years to come!”