From The Forest

Plantago Major. For canker sores and mouth ulcers use diluted Plantain tincture as a mouthwash.

Common Plantain came to the United States with the Europeans. "Plantago" is derived from a Latin word meaning "sole of the foot". Plantain is now naturalized throughout the United States. It is a perennial plant, which dies to the ground each winter and sprouts anew from its fibrous taproot around mid-spring. The oval, ribbed, short-stemmed leaves form basal rosettes which tend to hug the ground. The leaves may grow up to about 6" long and 4" wide. Between early summer and late fall, leafless flower stalks, 6" to 18" tall, arise from the center of the rosette. The flower stalks bear densely packed greenish white flowers each of which will become a small capsule-like seedpod containing 10 to 20 seeds.

Constituents: P. major contains biologically active compounds such as polysaccharides, lipids, caffeic acid derivatives, flavonoids, iridoid glycosides and terpenoids. Alkaloids and some organic acids have also been detected.

Diabetic aid – Plantain tincture can lower blood sugar in Type II diabetes. Use 1 tsp. in ½ cup warm water at mealtimes. It works even more effectively when blended with an equal amount of Huckleberry leaf tincture.

Expectorant – Plantain tincture loosens and expels phlegm from the lungs and respiratory system. It is used to relieve dry coughs, chronic bronchitis, coughing, wheezing and irritation. Add ½ to 1 tsp. to ½ cup of boiling hot water and sip, as needed.

Urinary Tract – Use 1 tsp. of Plantain and ½ tsp. Horsetail tinctures in ½ cup warm water. The Plantain acts as an astringent and demulcent while the Horsetail helps the connective tissues. This formula tones and heals the urinary tract.