Plantago Herba, Plantain Herb, Che Qian Cao 车前草
ArnoglossumBartang (Unani)
Che Qian Cao (TCM, Herb)
Tha ram ཐ་རམ (Tibetan)
Gart der Gesundheit, Cuba, 1485
Plantago majorOrtus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491 |
Plantago minor (P. lanceolata)Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491 |
Red Plantain (variety) Greater Plantain Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
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New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
Greater PlantainParkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640 |
Ribwort PlantainParkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640 |
P. majorFlora von Deutschland (20), Kohler, 1885 |
P. lanceolataFlora von Deutschland (20), Kohler, 1885 |
P. asciaticaIllustrations Of Indian Botany, Vol. II, Wight, 1850
Botanical name:
Plantago spp.
A number of species are used:
- P. major, Greater Plantain (Main source)
- P. lanceolata, Ribwort Plantain (preferred for Lung conditions)
- P. coronopus, Buck’s-Horn Plantain
- P. media, Hoary Plantain.
- P. asciatica and others are used in India and China.
- P. depressa (and P. majus), used in Tibet.
Parts used:
Herb, Juice; sometimes the root
See also Plantain Seed
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Slightly Bitter and Sweet
“Cold and dry in the second degree” (Avicenna)
Classifications:
2G. CLEANSING. 2N. REPELLENTS. 2O. ASTRINGENTS. 2T. GLUTINATE. 2Z. CICATRIZING
3B. FEBRIFUGE & ANTIPYRETIC. 3K. EXPECTORANT. 3L. ANTI-TUSSIVE. 3M. ARTHRITICS
4e. STOMACHIC
Preparers and Purgers of Bile
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
-venomous bites including those of Snakes, Spiders, Scorpions and poisonous Insects (internally and externally)
-boils, carbuncles and other hot-type swellings
-heat and inflammation of the Ears, Eyes, Mouth, Throat, Lungs, Bladder, Bowels;
-Glandular swellings, Scrofula, Syphilis, Malaria
-Mercurial poisoning.
-“good for treating Chronic, Malignant and Creeping Ulcers, Eczema and deep Wounds. In these diseases it is the drug of first choice” (Avicenna)
3. Clears Heat, Stops Bleeding:
-spitting of blood, bloody Urine, and excessive Menstruation; also stops excess bleeding from wounds (TCM, West)
-very useful for excessive discharge following Birth;
-herb steeped in water with salt was used for Dysentery (Dioscorides)
-juice ‘is good to them that be sick of the perilous flux, with excoriation or razing of the bowels’. (Albertus)
-“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
-Sores and Ulcers of the Genitals
-Seed is used for these purposes and is preferred
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, Sorrel, Violet
ii. Plantain, Chicory, Cleavers
iii. Plantain with Sorrel, Mallow, Purslane, Endive, Aniseed, Borage, Violet (as in Decoction to Cool the Blood)
2. Fever:
i. Plantain, Cleavers, Fevefew
ii. “said to be useful in Tertian Fever. For this purpose three pieces of its roots, mixed with 120 mls of wine, are used. Four pieces of its roots are taken in a similar manner in Quartan Fever”. (Avicenna)
Bleeding:
2. For heat-type Bleeding:
i. Plantain with Shepherd’s Purse
ii. Plantain with Marshmallow, Comfrey root, Water Plantain
iii. Plantain root & seed, Red Earth, Bistort, Pomegranate peel, Hematite, Red Coral, Orange peel (as in Plantain Powder)
3. Bleeding from the Lungs:
i. Plantain with Comfrey (as in Syrup of Plantain and Comfrey)
ii. Plantain with Horsetail
iii. Plantain, Comfrey, Horsetail, Licorice
iv. Plantain juice, Plantain seed, Armenian (Red) Earth, Red Coral; mix and drink (Arnold de Villa Nova)
v. Juices of Plantain, Pimpernel, Shepherd’s Purse (6 oz. each), Armenian Earth (1 pound), Gum Arabic burnt, Tragacanth (1 oz. each), Starch, Dragon’s Blood, Sealed Earth, Acacia, Tabasheer, Myrtle berries (10 drams each). Boil the juices with the powders, then put them in a mortar and beat well together, adding some Whey, and make an Ointment to annoint the Chest. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
Lungs:
4. Sore Throat, Tonsillitis, Plantain with Marshmallow, Coltsfoot, Elder, Agrimony and Violet
5. Cough:
i. Spasmodic and Whooping cough, Plantain with Thyme, Camomile, Cowslip root
ii. Cough and Bronchitis, Ribwort Plantain, Nettle and Yarrow
iii. Bronchitis, Tuberculosis, Plantain with Echinacea, Elecampane, Licorice
iv. Chronic Cough with excess Phlegm, Ribwort Plantain, Mallow flower, Mullein, Thyme
v. Chronic Catarrh of the Lungs, Chickweed with Horsetail, Lance-leaf Plantain, Nettle (Fischer)
6. Tuberculosis, Plantain, Echinacea, Comfrey
Urinary, Incontinence:
7. Incontinence, Bedwetting:
i. Plantain with St. John’s wort
ii. Plantain with Hemp seed, Agrimony, Shepherds Purse, Knotgrass (as in Decoction of Hemp Seed)
iii. Plantain with Comfrey, Cyperus rotundus, Galangal, Horsetail, Cypress nut, Rue seed, Agnus Castus, Frankincense (as in Wine for Incontinence)
8. Bladder and Kidney Ulcers, Plantain leaf and root with Grape sugar (Dioscorides)
Gynecology, Obstetrics:
9. Excessive Menstruation:
i. Plantain with Tormentil, Comfrey, Barberry seed, Sorrel, Gum Arabic, Tragacanth (as in Decoction for Excessive Menstruation)
10. Bleeding during Pregnancy, Plantain with Bistort, Purslane, Coriander (as in Powder for Bleeding During Pregnancy)
Trauma, Bruising:
11. Vulnerary (Bruising, Trauma):
i. Plantain, Sanicle, St. Johns wort, Wintergreen (Pharmacopoeia Sardoa, 1773)
ii. Plantain, Sanicle, Comfrey root, Marshmallow, Pimpinella, Licorice (as in Vulnerary Decoction)
iii. Plantain, Sanicle, Golden Rod, Solomans Seal, Sage, Pennyroyal, Century (as in Vulnerary Decoction of Wirtzung)
iv. Plantain with Ladies Mantle, Agrimony, Bugle, Comfrey, St. Johns wort, Saxifrage, Nettle, Tormentil (Dispensatorium medico pharmaceuticum Palatinatus, 1764)
v. Plantain with Elecampane, Comfrey, Tormentil, Licorice, Sanicle, Saxifrage, St. Johns wort, Agrimony, Bugle, Fennel seed (Pharmacopoeia Generalis, 1783)
Other:
12. Anxiety, Plantain with Spearmint (see research below)
13. Snake bite, take equal parts of the juices of Plantain and Horehound
14. Hernia, Plantain with. Sanicle, Rupturewort, Agrimony, Solomans Seal, Comfrey root, Tormentil, Coriander seed (as in Decoction for Hernia)
External:
15. Eczema and Pruritus and other skin complaints, combine Plantain with Echinacea for topical application
16. Black spots on the Body, apply Plantain juice mixed with Vinegar (Arnold de Villa Nova)
17. Lupus, Plantain (1 handful), Pomegranate flowers, Cypress nuts, Balsam wood and fruit, Sugar of Alum (of each 1 oz.), boil in Plantain water, adding towards the end Camphor (1 dram). Use as a wash. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
18. Pustules on the body, mix Plantain juice with Ceruse and Vinegar and apply (Arnold de Villa Nova)
19. Hemorrhoids. Yarrow, Plantain, Mullein (4 handfuls each), Elder flower, Pomegranate flower (1 oz. each). (Dispensatorium medico pharmaceuticum Palatinatus, 1764)
20 Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Plantain with Aloe gel
21. As a gargle for Sore Throat:
i. Plantain, Pomegranate flower, Rose, decoct, add Alum and Syrup of Pomegranate (A Treatise on Foreign Drugs, Geoffroy and Thicknesse, 1749)
ii. Plantain, Self Heal (4 0z. each), Sage (2 oz.), Rose, Ligustrum flower, Pomegranate flower (1 oz. each) (Dispensatorium medico pharmaceuticum Palatinatus, 1764)
22. Cancer of the Mouth, combine Plantain juice with Vinegar and Rose water and use as a mouth wash (Physicians of Myddvai)
23. Biting of a Rabid Dog: “applied with salt on the bite of mad dog.” (Avicenna)
Major Formulas:
Powder of Plantain Compound
Decoction of Timaei (modified)
Decoction for Excessive Menstruation
Decoction to Cool the Blood (Wirtzung)
Decoction of Hemp Seed
Decoction for Hernia
Vulnerary Decoction
Syrup for Excess Menstrual Bleeding
Syrup of Plantain and Comfrey (Boyles Syrup)
Syrup of Comfrey Compound
Wine for Incontinence
Water for Cancer
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
1. Conserve of Plantain:
Fresh Plantain (1 part), Sugar (2 parts). Beat.
2. Juice of Plantain:
i. Bruise the fresh herb in a stone mortar, moistening with a little water and press strongly. Set aside, decant and preserve in bottles, adding a dram of alcohol to each pound of juice. Dose: 2–3 oz. (Pharmacopoeia Sardoa, 1773)
3. Syrup of Plantain Juice:
i. Expressed juice of Plantain, White Sugar (of each 4 parts), Water (sufficient). Clarify, boil to the a syrup. (Pharmacopoeia Hispana, 1798)
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Extra Info
- Research