It was originally brought over from Europe by white settlers, but quickly became known by North American natives as one of their most powerful medicine. This herb is a must on herbal walks when learning about one of the common weeds. "Plantain". It's a good herb to know in famines. A wild eatable plant and is an all around herbal for just about everything. (Another basic herb for the poor with no medical means for healing as in bee stings, mosquito bites or blood poisoning. Which appears with a red streak running up the persons arm, leg or affected area and, can follow by weeks in the hospital with painful and gruesome procedures ending up with the losing of an arm or leg. Even with modern medicine their not able to get the infection down fast enough. It doesn't hurt to try this first or with their chemicals.
Botanical: Plantago major
Family: Plantaginaceae (plantain) Other few other common names: Greater Plantain, Common Plantain, Ripple Grass, Cuckoo's Head, Rat-tail Plantain, Englishman's Foot, White Man's Foot, Ribwort, Waybread, Waybroad, Snake Weed, Broad-leaved Plantain, Dooryard and etc.
(Photo of leaf) DON'T UNDERESTIMATE Plantain, a lowly perennial "weed" with natural healing for "blood poisoning" which is very simple to take care for. A weed that is found in many lawns, meadows and grassy, woody areas. However, never take this herb from a chemically sprayed lawns areas or side of the roads. Take a photo of plantain with you to observe where it grows and find when needed. This knowledge may literally save your life. Gather some leaves for a balm and refrigerate.
Ground, crushed i.e. plantain has been used as a poultice to draw out toxins and to heal wounds. To use plantain, wash it, tear off some leaves and, if necessary, chew them up in your mouth, then apply to an affected area. Leave it (or poultice) on the affective area and replace with fresh Plantain every few hours. It will take anywhere from a few hours to a day or two, but worth it vs the alternative. You can also make a salves (balm with beeswax and/or olive oil). Or, buy on already made on the market used for; "Stings & Bites Ointment" (a Plantain ointment.)
See: http://earthsorganicnews.blogspot.com/2009/01/home-made-salves-balms.html
Try A Drink; Plantain tea, or, take an "Infection Formula" with plantain in the formula to quicken the healing. You can also use the cut or powdered plantain, keep it on hand, and ma curate in any salve or balm, oil, or even add to a good lotion for temporary fixes.
History of Uses: The common broad-leaved Plantain, found anywhere by road-sides, woods and in meadow lands i.e. The seeds of Plantain are used medicinally, having mild laxative effects similar to the seeds of Psyllium, a close relative of Plantain.
Plantain's primary chemical constituents include tannins, flavonoids (apigenin), mucilage, glycosides (aucubin), silicic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, vitamins C and K and beta carotene. It acts as a gentle expectorant while also soothing inflamed and sore membranes, making it ideal for coughs and mild bronchitis. Its astringency aids in diarrhea, hemorrhoids and also in cystitis where there may be bleeding. For skin conditions, the vulnerary, analgesic and antiseptic actions all combine well to heal cuts and burns, while protecting against infection and easing any neuralgic pain.
The fresh leaves are also said to be effective in treating abscesses and ulcers of the skin, and the herb has a long standing tradition in the treatment of insect, snake bites, dog bites, scorpion stings,i.e
Eczema and impetigo are also thought to respond well to a salve made from the fresh leaves. Clinical studies reveal that the freshly crushed leaves contain enzymes with a powerful antimicrobial action, particularly against Staphylococcus infections.
*For coughs and mild bronchitis, Plantain combines its expectorant and demulcent actions to clear catarrh's congestion and at the same time soothe and protect damaged and sore tissues. The fresh juice is said to be a specific treatment for bronchitis in young children. Its astringency is very effective in treating mild intestinal inflammation, aiding in the relief of diarrhea, hemorrhoids and stomachaches. The fresh juice is also effective in treating mild stomach ulcers, and combined with the juice of Nettle is believed to be a most effective combination for clearing mucus from the ears, even in cases of severe catarrhal deafness.
*Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is helped with a warm poultice of Plantain applied directly to the closed, infected eye, with repeated follow-up eye washes.
*Plantain contains salicylic acid, Nature's precursor to aspirin, making it effective in relieving neuralgic pain. And for those who wish to stop smoking, a gargle with Plantain infusion several times a day is thought to be an excellent aversion therapy.
http://exploringhealth.wordpress.com/2008/09/
*A natural synergistic blend is for the pain, swelling and itching caused by insect stings and bites as well as minor cuts and scrapes.
Ingredients: Plantain Leaf, Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Beeswax.
Ailments traditionally used for: Bee Stings, Bites (including Snake bites, however, do get help and use as a temporary fix until help arrives i.e), Blood Poisoning, Boils, Bruises, Chicken Pox, Dermatitis, Eczema, Fragile Capillaries, Insect Stings, Itch, Poison Ivy/Oak, Psoriasis, Snake Bites (Venemous Wounds), Syphilis, Tumor.
*One Infection Formula contains: Plantain Leaves, Black Walnut, Golden Seal Root, Bugle weed Herb, Marshmallow Root and Lobelia Herb. (capsuled) Currently, there are no known warnings or contraindications with the use of Plantain. The point; you can add other herbs of choice to a Plantain formula.
Plantain is one of the most prolific herbal healers, Plantain has been extensively used for its astringent properties for the relief of upper respiratory difficulties. It was also a favorite of traditional herbalists when used topically for treating; as mentioned above; insect bites and stings. Plantain also clears heat and removes excess fluid from the body, while at the same time soothing inflammation and irritated tissues.
(Photo: the leaves veins run in a different direction than most leaves, more heart with a broad shaped. It also forms a cone and seeds)
Plantain goes best beside roads and edges of areas, and found in lawns. Don't use in sprayed lawns the chemicals are still present. Weed killers have almost annihilated Plantain. If you do find it in wooded forest i.e. please leave some by preserving it and, leaving the roots, and spread the seeds on the long cone about for the next person next year. Don't over pick an area. Be good conservationist citizen and an example to your next generation. As once the N. American Indians were, for they knew they would need certain plants in the next year.
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Another common weed N. American Indians used is Peri Winkle; Brain area
http://earthsorganicnews.blogspot.com/2011/02/brain-disorders-parkinson-alzheimers.html
Another is; http://thompsonsorganicrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/06/sedative-herb-catnip-for-stress.html Sap in on the free herbs from nature.
Disclaimer:
The information presented herein as a viable herbal solutions, intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqDq_VnZ8Ok&feature=related See: how Mt. Rose makes salves or balms. History and Pioneers made them from bees wax, animal "fat", tincture from alcohols, wines or vinegar and decoctions, teas i.e. (The art is like a cooking style...all different.)
http://earthsorganicnews.blogspot.com/2010/03/chicory-drink-wild-herb.html
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