Freshsein
This green plant named Plantain has flat, ribbed and short stemmed leaves and is a low-growing plant. Its leaves can actually grow up to 6″ long and 4″ wide. Plantain can send up a leafless flower stock in fall/summer – sometimes the stalks can grow up to 10″ inches tall. They grow everywhere in the world: in Africa, Australia,Asia, America,Europe and New Zealand as well.
Plantain has been used for thousands of years in various treatments, due to its potent medicinal properties. It contains high amounts of ascorbic acid, vitamin K, calcium and beta carotene.
Medical and healing properties:anti-inflammatory, stringent, anti-histamine,antimicrobial,expectorant, demulcent, diuretic and styptic. You can consume the leaf fresh raw or add it in different salads.This herb has anti-inflammatory properties and it can be amazing for decreasing the itch and pain to a variety of skin problems.
The leaves, as well as the plantain seeds, have diuretic, cardiac, antitussive, hemostatic,refrigerant, antidote, antiseptic,astringent, anti-inflammatory,expectorant, vermifuge, poultice, and antibacterial, activity.
Plantain Herbal Tea- recipe
- 1 cup of boiling water
- 1 tablespoon fresh or dry, whole Plantain plant
*one Manuka honey teaspoon( optional)
Directions
Add the fresh or dry plantain in the boiling water and leave it to steep for 10 min. After that strain it. If you are a fan of sweet tea you can flavor it with honey. Consume it and relax enjoying it.
In Bulgaria there were 2 clinical trials. They documented that plantain is very effective for chronic bronchitis. The plant acts as a demulcent, such as glycerin and pectin that are very common ingredients in throat drops and cough syrups. Demulcents can relieve small irritation and discomfort by creating a soothing film over the mucous membrane that was affected.
The leaves of this amazing herb are also high in vitamin C which effectively boosts the immune system. Moreover, they are a rich source of vitamin A which supports eye health and protects against macular degeneration, which can lead to blindness.
The plantain can help for different health problems. The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy by Dr. Finley Ellingwood, MD, in 1919, says that plantain is very effective against diarrheal conditions, rashes and bites on the skin, all blood diseases, injuries, different glandular diseases, female disorders and mercury poisoning.