Plantago Herba, Plantain Herb, Che Qian Cao 车前草
ArnoglossumChe Qian Cao (TCM)
Plantago majorOrtus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491 |
Plantago minor (P. lanceolata)Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491 |
Left: Red Plantain; Right: Greater Plantain Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Plantago majorFlora von Deutschland (20), Kohler, 1885 |
Plantago. lanceolataFlora von Deutschland (20), Kohler, 1885 |
Plantago asciaticaIllustrations Of Indian Botany, Vol. II, Wight, 1850
Members CLICK HERE for the PRO VERSIONBotanical name:
Plantago spp.
A number of species are used:
1. P. majus, Greater Plantain (Main source)
2. P. lanceolata, Ribwort Plantain (preferred for Lung conditions)
3. P. coronopus, Buck’s-Horn Plantain
4. P. media is Hoary Plantain.
5. P. asciatica and others are used in India and China.
6. P. majus and P. depressa are reportedly used in Tibet.
Parts used:
Herb, Juice; sometimes the root
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Slightly Bitter and Sweet
Classifications:
2G. CLEANSING. 2N. REPELLENTS. 2O. ASTRINGENTS. 2T. GLUTINATE. 2Z. CICATRIZING
3B. FEBRIFUGE & ANTIPYRETIC. 3K. EXPECTORANT. 3L. ANTI-TUSSIVE. 3M. ARTHRITICS
4e. STOMACHIC
Uses:
1. Clears Heat and Phlegm, Stops Cough (TCM, West):
-heat-type coughs with thick yellow phlegm, dry cough, blood in the sputum and wheezing;
-acute Respiratory tracts infections, dry Cough, acute Bronchitis and Wheezing; Hemoptysis
-Lung ulcers and the accompanying cough; early stages of pulmonary Phthisis (especially the juice or syrup)
2. Clears Heat and Toxins, Reduces Swelling, Eases Pain (TCM, West):
-all sorts of Fevers
-‘Remarkably effectual in Poisons of all kinds’; long regarded as very effective against a range of poisons
-boils, carbuncles and other hot-type swellings
3. Clears Heat, Stops Bleeding:
-spitting of blood, bloody Urine, and excessive Menstruation; also stops excess bleeding from wounds (TCM, West)
-herb steeped in water with salt was used for Dysentery (Dioscorides)
-“The Decoction of Ribwort drunk, is a most excellent remedy to stop the Terms [Menstruation]” (Culpeper)
4. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine (TCM, West):
-Edema, Oliguria, Cystitis, Incontinence, Hematuria
-acute Diarrhea, Dysentery, Jaundice
–Leukorrhea, Spermatorrhea
5. Externally:
-externally, applied to fresh Wounds and Ulcers
–poultice of the leaves is good for heat-type pain and inflammation; Dermatitis, Eczema etc.
-a strong decoction as a wash stops all types of Itching
-fine powder is blown with a reed directly into the throat in tonsillitis
-Chronic and Hard-to-heal Sores and Ulcers including Old, Foul or Varicose Ulcers
–‘all malignant and Leprous running and filthy Ulcers’ (Dioscorides)
–‘Burns are cured by the agency of plantago‘ (Pliny)
-Tumors and Cancers, including those of the breast
-“When plastered on Elephantiasis it restricts its further expansion and thereafter brings about its deflation” (Avicenna)
–‘For diseases of the sinews and joints, plantago, beaten up with salt, is a very useful remedy’ (Pliny)
-stops Toothache, the decoction used as a mouthwash (Avicenna)
-topically for Opthalmia (Avicenna)
Comment:
1. Greater Plantain was most used, and is preferred for Heat and Toxin
2. Ribwort Plantain is now preferred for Lung Heat Cough (although Greater Plantain was traditionally used)
Dose:
Leaf or Whole herb in Decoction: 6–15 grams (15–30 grams fresh)
Fresh leaf Juice: 1–3 oz.
Main Combinations:
Comfrey & Plantain
Clear Heat:
1. To clear Heat and cool the Blood:
i. Plantain, … available in PRO version
ii. Plantain, … available in PRO version
iii. Plantain with … available in PRO version
Bleeding:
2. For heat-type Bleeding:
i. Plantain with … available in PRO version
ii. Plantain with … available in PRO version
iii. Plantain root & seed, … available in PRO version
3. Bleeding from the Lungs:
i. Plantain with … available in PRO version
ii. Plantain with … available in PRO version
iii. Plantain, … available in PRO version
iv. Plantain juice, … available in PRO version
v. Juices of Plantain, … available in PRO version
Lungs:
4. Sore Throat, Tonsillitis, Plantain with … available in PRO version
5. Cough:
i. Spasmodic and Whooping cough, Plantain with … available in PRO version
ii. Cough and Bronchitis, Ribwort Plantain, … available in PRO version
iii. Bronchitis, Tuberculosis, Plantain with … available in PRO version
iv. Chronic Cough with excess Phlegm, Ribwort Plantain, … available in PRO version
v. Chronic Catarrh of the Lungs, … available in PRO version
6. Tuberculosis, Plantain, … available in PRO version
Urinary, Incontinence:
7. Incontinence, Bedwetting:
i. Plantain with … available in PRO version
ii. Plantain with … available in PRO version
iii. Plantain with … available in PRO version
8. Bladder and Kidney Ulcers, Plantain leaf and root with … available in PRO version
Gynecology, Obstetrics:
9. Excessive Menstruation:
i. Plantain with … available in PRO version
10. Bleeding during Pregnancy, Plantain with … available in PRO version
Trauma, Bruising:
11. Vulnerary (Bruising, Trauma):
i. Plantain, … available in PRO version
ii. Plantain, … available in PRO version
iii. Plantain, … available in PRO version
iv. Plantain with … available in PRO version
v. Plantain with … available in PRO version
Other:
12. Anxiety, Plantain with … available in PRO version
13. Snake bite, take equal parts of the juices of Plantain and … available in PRO version
14. Hernia, Plantain with. … available in PRO version
External:
15. Eczema and Pruritus and other skin complaints, combine Plantain with … available in PRO version
16. Black spots on the Body, apply Plantain juice mixed with … available in PRO version
17. Lupus, Plantain (1 handful), … available in PRO version
18. Pustules on the body, mix Plantain juice with … available in PRO version
19. Hemorrhoids, Plantain, … available in PRO version
20 Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Plantain with … available in PRO version
21. As a gargle for Sore Throat:
i. Plantain, … available in PRO version
ii. Plantain, … available in PRO version
22. Cancer of the Mouth, combine Plantain juice with … available in PRO version
Major Formulas:
Decoction of Timaei (modified)
Decoction for Excessive Menstruation
Decoction to Cool the Blood (Wirtzung)
Decoction of Hemp Seed
Decoction for Hernia
Vulnerary Decoction
Syrup of Plantain and Comfrey (Boyles Syrup)
Syrup of Comfrey Compound
Wine for Incontinence
Powder for Bleeding During Pregnancy
Powder for Diabetes (Riverius)
Powder Against Rabies
Ointment for Congealed Blood
Eye Drops (Riverius)
Cautions:
Generally Safe. Use cautiously in cold and weakness of the digestion
Main Preparations used:
Dehydrated Juice, Distilled Water of the whole Plant, Syrup of the Juice