5 Benefits of Plantain

Plantago major
Plantago major

 

  1. One of the best herbs for wound healing, Plantain is anti-inflammatory, astringent and anti-microbial.
  2. Plantain is a great expectorant, making it an excellent remedy for coughs and bronchitis.
  3. Because Plantain is not only astringent, but also demulcent, it is a very effective remedy for sinus issues.
  4. Plantain has the remarkable ability to draw slivers, venom, pus and infection from open woulds and heal them from the inside out.
  5. Plantain is also beneficial for any type of inflammatory gut conditions due to its anti-inflammatory, demulcent and astringent qualities.

 

plantain

 

 

 

Herbal Allies Found the World Over

Having recently moved to India, I have been excited to learn about a whole new batch of herbs to use as food and medicine. In the meantime however, I have been struck by the pervasiveness of a few old herbal friends from home:

Dandelion: Where would we be without dear old Dandelion? It was one of the first plants I recognized when I arrived here in India. A Euro-Asian native now naturalized throughout the world as a common weed in disturbed soils, there are not many places it won’t grow!

The leaves of Dandelion make an extremely nutritious spring potherb and salad green. They are also a dependable diuretic without depleting potassium. The roots are an excellent bitter, stimulating digestion, with a particular affinity to the kidneys and liver. One of the best liver herbs there is! And the flowers make a wonderful infused oil that is used for inflammation and sore muscles. They also make delicious pancakes and fritters!

 

Yellow Dock: I was so happy to see Yellow Dock here in India! An Old World native, Yellow Dock is now naturalized throughout the world as a common weed in disturbed, poor soils. And how fortunate we are that it is!

Externally, Yellow dock is used as an antiseptic. In fact, The Academy of Minsk recommends it to be used in a poultice against burns, ulcers and infected wounds that are slow to heal. It is also one of the best topical remedies for nettle stings. Internally, it is used extensively in western herbalism for the treatment of chronic skin conditions. Yellow Dock is another one of those herbs described through the ages as a “blood cleanser”, with an affinity for the liver and gallbladder. It also aids in the digestion of fatty foods.

 

Plantain: My old friend Plaintain! The variety here in India is ever so slightly different in appearance than what we have back in the Pacific Northwest. I think it may be Plantago erosa….. Can you see it nestled in next to Dandelion below?

Plantain is also one of those Old World natives that has now made it’s home all over the world and seen mainly as a “weed”. One of Plantain’s most stellar topical uses is as a drawing agent to pull out splinters, dirt, pus and infection from wounds. Internally, it is a gentle expectorant and simultaneously a demulcent to soothe inflamed membranes while helping to expel phlegm, making it useful for coughs and bronchitis. It’s  astringency makes it ideal for mouth ulcers and gum disease as well.

Recognizing these familiar plants so far from home makes me realize that wherever you are in the world, you have a medicine chest at your doorstep!

What herbs can you see as you step out your front door?

 

 

 

Herbal Home Medicine Kit

It wasn’t that long ago when every home had an herbal medicine kit to treat injuries or illnesses that family members might encounter. These days it is not so common and many people feel at a loss when they are faced with a feverish child at 2 am, the beginnings of a respiratory infection, or a finger burned from a kitchen mishap. Not only is it common sense to have an herbal medicine kit at home, but it is inexpensive to put together and quite empowering to realize that you have the ability to heal yourself and your family of just about any acute illness or injury that you may encounter.

Here is a brief summary of some of the items you may want to include in your herbal home medicine kit. They can be purchased ready made, but most of them you can make yourself very easily and inexpensively. A combination of any or all of the herbal items listed below would make a great addition to any home.

Aloe vera Photo by Peter Kratochvil

Aloe vera – Aloe has been used throughout a long portion of our history in treating and healing burns and other minor skin irritations. The best way to use aloe is directly from the plant itself. Break off a plump piece and slice it open. Apply the clear sap inside directly to the burned or irritated area. It is this sap that has been shown to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.

Elderberry Elixir – This is an essential remedy to have on hand, especially during the cold and flu season. Here is my favorite recipe. Rich in vitamins A, B and C, elderberry supports immune system functioning and is one of the best remedies for viral infections. Useful for colds, flus, respiratory afflictions, fevers and upset stomachs.

Echinacea Tincture – Echinacea is a wonderful immune boosting herb – anti-viral as well as anti-bacterial. Topically useful for stings and bites (it is a Native American snakebite remedy), as well as skin infections, echinacea is a staple for the home medicine kit. Just a few of the various conditions that have historically been treated with echinacea include: poisonous insect and snake bites, toothaches, sore throat, wounds, mumps, smallpox, and measles, upper respiratory infections, the common cold, sinusitis, influenza, herpes, lymphatic swelling and skin ulcers.

Oregon Grape Root Tincture – Oregon grape is an excellent alternative to Goldenseal, which is endangered, and can be used for many of the same ailments, including bacterial diarrhea, bladder infections, sinusitis, intestinal parasites, sore throat/laryngitis, and eye infections. It is also useful in chronic skin affections, such as psoriasis,  and supporting the liver. It has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, as well as anti-fungal properties and recent studies have shown it may have anti-cancer properties as well.

Calendula cream or ointment – This is one of the most used items in our home medicine kit. It is the first thing we reach for whenever one of the children has a cut, scratch, scrape or rash. Historically, Calendula has been used in reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, and as an antiseptic. It has been used to treat a variety of skin diseases including skin ulcerations and eczema.

Image: Tom Curtis / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

St John’s Wort salve – While many people these days are aware of St John’s Wort for it’s anti-depressant benefits, they may not be aware that it is one of the best topical anti-inflammatory and wound healing herbs to be found. It’s use in wound healing dates back to Hippocrates. Some of the ailments that can be helped by the topical use of St John’s Wort include bruises, wounds, burns, hemorrhoids, sunburn, herpes sores, varicose veins, sciatica, nerve pain, rheumatism and arthritis.

Plantain/Comfrey/Self-Heal/Chickweed salve – All of these herbs have excellent wound healing properties and one or all of them alone, or in combination with the above mentioned Calendula and St John’s Wort, would make a great salve or ointment for most skin ailments you may encounter.

Essential oils – Essential oils are of great benefit in treating minor ailments at home. If you are unfamiliar with Aromatherapy, or the use of essential oils, please read my article before purchasing and using them. DO NOT use essential oils internally or undiluted or in the eye area. Some of the essential oils I find most useful are: Lavender, Chamomile, Tea Tree, Oregano, and Peppermint. Lavender is very relaxing, calming and can be employed for easing headaches, muscle strain and stress. Chamomile is anti-inflammatory as well as calming and analgesic. iIt is especially well suited for use with children’s complaints, such as colic and teething pain. Tea Tree is a very popular essential oil because of it’s strong antiseptic properties, useful in deep wound cleaning and treating infections. Oregano oil is getting a lot of press lately, mainly because of it’s virtually unmatched germicidal properties. It can be used when dealing with just about any kind of microbial infection. Peppermint is useful for a great many conditions; colds, flus and respiratory illnesses as well as digestive upsets and headaches are just a few of them.

Witch Hazel – This multi-purpose remedy is essential for treating blisters, burns, swelling, inflammation, bleeding, skin injuries, hemorrhoids, varicose veins and eczema. It is astringent and disinfectant as well as hemostatic.

Garlic Photo by Petr Kratochvil

Garlic – I have heard many people say that if they were stranded on a desert island and could have only one medicine with them – it would be garlic! It is a powerful broad spectrum antibiotic and has been used to ward off everything from the common cold to the Plague. Some of the ailments it has been used to treat include wounds, ulcers, skin infections, flu, athlete’s foot, some viruses, strep, worms, respiratory ailments, high blood pressure, blood thinning, cancer of the stomach, colic, colds, kidney problems, bladder problems, and ear aches. Incorporating garlic, especially raw, into your daily diet is a key part of keeping your body healthy and your immune system functioning at optimal levels.

Ginger – Ginger is an excellent anti-inflammatory herb as well as an important digestive remedy. It is useful for a broad range of ailments such as: nausea, motion sickness, diarrhea, colic, arthritis, rheumatism, colds flus, headaches, poor circulation and heart conditions. In Asia is it considered a longevity herb.

Yarrow – Yarrow is considered a common weed, but is an extremely useful one (as most weeds are). It is an antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, stimulant, tonic, vasodilator and vulnerary. It can be used for colds and flu, stomach ulcers, amenorrhea, abdominal cramps, abscesses, trauma and bleeding, and to reduce inflammation.