Naming |
|
|---|---|
| Botanical Name: | Plantago lanceolata |
| Common Names: | Ribwort plantain; Narrowleaf plantain; English plantain; Buckhorn plantain; Ribgrass; Lanceleaf plantain |
| Key Name: | Plantago |
| Parts Used: | leaf; seed; root |
| Sister Plants: | Plantago major; Plantago ovata; Plantago asiatica; Plantago media |
| Comments: | Common wayside perennial; drawing herb for toxins and stings; high mineral and mucilage content |
Taxonomy |
|
|
No taxonomy linked yet. |
|
Characteristics |
|
| Identifying Character: | basal rosette; narrow lanceolate Leaves; parallel veins; tall leafless stalks; compact cylindrical flower spikes |
| Stem: | leafless scapes; 10-60 cm tall; ribbed; green; smooth or sparsely hairy; unbranched |
| Leaves: | lanceolate; 5-25 cm long; 1-3 cm wide; acute tip; parallel veins 3-7; basal rosette; slightly hairy; entire to weakly toothed margins |
| Flowers: | whitish; tiny; 4 petals; in dense spikes 2-8 cm; prominent white stamens; bloom late spring to autumn |
| Fruit: | capsule; small ovoid; 2-4 mm; brown; 1-2 seeds; matures summer through fall |
| Taste: | Bitter; Astringent; salty |
| Odour: | faint; grassy; slightly musty when dried |
| Root: | fibrous; shallow; creamy white; thin; slightly Aromatic |
| Image: | |
Distribution |
|
| Distribution: | Europe; western Asia; North Africa; naturalized in North America; Australia; New Zealand; temperate zones |
| Cultivation: | well-drained soil; full Sun to partial shade; drought tolerant once established; seed propagation; self-seeding |
| Harvest: | Leaves spring to fall before full flower; young Leaves preferred; dry in shade at low temperature |
Medical |
|
| Therapeutic Action: | Allopathic: Anti-inflammatory; Antimicrobial; Demulcent; Expectorant; Herbal: vulnerary; Astringent; Diuretic; Lymphatic; TCM: Clears heat; drains damp; promotes urination; Ayurvedic: cooling; Astringent; Pitta balancing; Naturopathic: Alterative; drawing; HOMEOPATHIC: soothing to Mucous membranes |
| Medical Uses: | Allopathic: Bronchitis; Wounds; insect bites; allergic rhinitis; Herbal: cough; Diarrhea; Hemorrhoids; skin irritation; TCM: Edema; difficult urination; lung heat; Ayurvedic: Dysentery; skin Eruptions; Naturopathic: allergies; Eczema; sinus congestion |
| Constituents: | Mucilage; Tannins; Flavonoids; Iridoid glycosides; aucubin">aucubin; catalpol">catalpol; asperuloside">asperuloside; verbascoside">verbascoside; plantamajoside">plantamajoside; Allantoin; Vitamin C; vitamin K; silica; potassium; Calcium; zinc">zinc |
| Solvents: | water (infusion); alcohol (Tincture); glycerine (glycerite); oil (infused oil); vinegar (oxymel) |
| Dosage: | Tincture 2-5 ml three times daily; infusion 1 cup up to three times daily; Topical poultice as needed |
| Administration: | Tincture)">oral (tea Tincture); Topical (poultice salve)">topical (poultice salve); inhalation (steam) |
| Formulas: | respiratory tea with mullein; wound salve with calendula and hypericum; drawing poultice blend |
| Contraindications: | rare contact dermatitis; generally safe in Pregnancy and lactation |
| Preparation: | infusion steep 10-15 min covered; fresh leaf poultice crushed and applied; Tincture 1:5 in 40 percent alcohol |
| Chinese: | Che qian cao; clears lung heat and dampness; promotes urination and clears eyes |
| Veterinary: | Allopathic: treats livestock Diarrhea and Wounds; Herbal: cough remedy for dogs and horses; TCM: Urinary support in companion animals |
| Homeopathic: | 6C-30C for earache; Toothache; eye irritation; bedwetting |
Pollination and Pollinators |
|
| Apis: | Yes |
| Pollinator: | honeybees collect pollen and nectar; hoverflies; solitary bees; butterflies |
| Pollen: | Yes |
| Pollen Notes: | significant pollen; collected by bees; wind pollinated; high protein; no toxicity |
| Nectar: | Yes |
| Nectar Notes: | blooms late spring through autumn; moderate nectar; good forage for bees in meadows and disturbed ground |
Other |
|
| Non-Medical Uses: | edible green; livestock forage; dye plant; soil stabilizer; fiber |
| Culinary Uses: | young Leaves in salads and soups; mild Bitter flavor; European wild green; herbal seasoning |
| History: | Ancient Greek Roman use for Wounds by Dioscorides; Anglo-Saxon nine herbs charm; adopted by Native Americans for bites and infections |
| Reference: | ENCY Home Page. Grieve M. A Modern Herbal 1931; Hoffmann D. Medical Herbalism 2003; Duke JA. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 2002; Tilford G. Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West 1997 |
| URL: | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantago_lanceolata |
| Share: | Public |