History oF Plantain

First, it is the "herb" Plantain, not the reddish looking banana thing you can buy in the market.

The following information is from "The Complete Medicinal HERBAL" Book by Penelope Ody. Page 86 First copyright 1993 AWESOME BOOK, if you can find one buy it. I've had mine since 1994 and it is the one book that I refuse to let anyone borrow.

"PLANTAIN" Plantago spp. Called Waybread by the Anglo-Saxons. It is a common herb considered important in healing. It has been said that if several pieces of flesh were put in a jar with plantain it would join them back together again. (Kind of an icky thought.) It is a common herbal medicine, known to be very effective for bee stings. It has also been called the "Backyard Bandaid" because it grows in many areas of the country and kids have been known to chew it until moist and then put it on a bee sting, bug bite, or scrape.

APPLICATIONS: As suggested in the book.

Juice from the leaves taken 3 times a day for relief from inflamed mucous membranes in cystitis, diarrhea, and lung infections. (Haven't done any of that.)

Tincture made from fresh leaves. Good for heavy mucus, as in allergic rhinitis.

Poultice: Apply fresh leaves to bee stings and slow-healing wounds.
(I do not know where to get fresh leaves at. I use dried crushed leaves.)

Ointment: Apply to wounds, burns, and hemorrhoids.

Wash: Use the liquid for inflammations, sores and wounds.

Gargle: Use diluted liquid for sore throats and mouth or gum inflammation.

Leaves: The leaves soothe urinary tract infection and irritations and ease dry coughs. Applied externally, both are healing for sores and wounds.