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 You can see more information by clicking on the tabs above
Broadleaf Plantain overview
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Broadleaf Plantain in flower - a powerful broad-spectum healer
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Plantago major
Common Plantain, Greater Ribwort
Family: PLANTAGINACEAE
Another of nature's miracle perennial herbs that I have discovered growing wild on our land is Broadleaf Plantain - Plantago major, also known as common or greater plantain or ribwort
[1] [2] .
Word certainly has gotten around about how wonderful Plantain is for Menopause. I have clients from all over the world who have suffered terribly with hot flushes, mood swings and emotional highs and lows and the common words I hear from them is “thank you, thank you so much, taking your Plantain tea / tincture has given me my life back and my hormones are now balanced, the flushes are gone and my moods and emotions are balanced again”.
We have found that plantain is a superb eliminator of heavy metal toxins from the body.
Broadleaf Plantain can help you eliminate the heavy metal toxicity caused by mercury amalgam fillings
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Some years ago I was helping a colleague learn to operate his newly-acquired blood analysis machine, there were about 10 volunteers having their blood analysed. My blood samples consistently showed a complete absence of heavy metal toxins - like lead, cadmium, mercury etc.
As I was one of the few there who still had mercury amalgam fillings in my teeth it seemed unlikely but it remained throughout the day. Finally we all got together and compared notes - the one item that was a regular part of my diet was plantain - and no-one else's!
It was clear that by adding plantain to my food on a regular basis I was achieving a heavy metal elimination effortlessly - one person there had paid thousands of dollars to have her amalgam fillings replaced!!
Plaintain is found all over the world, and is one of the most abundant and accessible medicinal herbs.This powerful herb keeps on astounding me as I see the wonderful results that occur with my patients.
Broadleaf plantain is one of the most abundant and widely distributed broad-spectrum medicinal herbs in the world
[2] a characteristic it shares with it's close relative narrow-leafed plantain.
It is very effective used externally as a tincture or poutice applied to wounds, stings, and sores in order to inhibit infection and and accelerate healing.
It is an important component in our C-mix anti-cancer tincture.
Internally it is very helpful for a host of conditions
[3] [4] including many skin disorders such as dermatitis, menopausal discomfort, burns, diarrhea, inflammation, infection, kidney and bladder problems, blood poisoning, hemorrhoids, ringworm toothache, tuberculosis, syphilis .............
Broadleaf plantain is also a highly nutritious edible plant with generous amounts of calcium and vitamins A, C, and K. The young leaves can be eaten raw in salads while they are tender but once they mature they are best boiled in stews or steamed.
It has a close relative, Narrow leaved Plantain which is so similar in it's characteristics that we combine the 2 when we make our Plantain Tea and Tincture.
A potent broad-spectrum healer: unsurpassed for treating menopause, cancers, infections, inflammations, eliminating heavy metal toxicity, blood detoxing, asthma, tumours, allergies, aging - a strong antioxidant and tonic which helps you stay at your peak
young broadleaf plantain showing no discomfort growing in roadbase
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Trijntje's story
I discovered Ribwort was great for Menopause, when I went through the change myself, and experienced erratic menstruation with times when I menstruated months apart and then one month, I bled profusely for three weeks. I actually was thinking about which herb to use when I walked outside and thought Ribwort! It is well known for internal and external bleeding. I took three cups of Ribwort tea that evening and woke up the next morning and the profuse bleeding had stopped, I have not menstruated since.
I have used Ribwort on many women since and the same thing happens, a handful of leaves in a pot of hot water, left to stand for at least 30 minutes and drink 3-4 cups definitely works.
After researching the menopause, I have found that native women who live on a natural diet of fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and fish, have no menopausal problems, no hot flushes or depression. It is bad diet and stress that creates an over acid condition in the body which before menopause was eliminated by menstruation and after menopause is eliminated through the skin as a hot flush.
I have found by experimenting with myself that if I drink wine or foods with additives or emulsifiers, I will that night have a hot flush.
I do not experience hot flushes or depression when I stay on a natural diet. I believe nature has its own way of letting us know when we go off track.
Trijntje Reilly ND |
Other Uses of Plantain
Plantain is edible [5]. The very young leaves can be added to salads or cooked as greens. The leaves tend to become stringy and strongly flavored rather quickly as they age, particularly where they grow in hot, dry, or very sunny locations. This does not mean they are no longer edible, only that at this point, they are better suited to making stock or tea.
Here is a list of the many therapeutic uses of Plantain, I am sure there are many more that are not listed here.
- Asthma
- Blood Purifying
- Bee Stings
- Bed Wetting
- Bladder Problems
- Bleeding - Internal & External
- Blood Poisoning
- Burns
- Cancer treatment
- Diarrhoea
- Detoxification
- Dysentery
- Douche
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- Eyes
- Excema
- Fractures
- Frigidity
- Haemorrhage
- Haemorrhoids
- Hoarseness
- Insect Bites
- Itching
- Kidneys
- Leucorrhoea
- Lumbago
- Lungs
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- Menopause
- Menstruation (decrease)
- Poison Ivy-Oak
- Poisonous Spiders
- Rashes
- Stinging Nettle rash
- Snake Bites
- Thrush
- Tumours
- Ulcers
- Vagina
- Wounds
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Broadleaf Plantain actions
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Major medicinal actions of Broadleaf Plantain[6][7]
Plantain Tincture
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- allantoin
- analgesic
- anesthetic
- anthelmintic
- antiaging
- antibacterial
- antibiotic (weak)
- anticancer
- anticoagulant
- antidepressant
- antidiabetic
- antifungal
- antihypertensive
- antiinflammatory
- antileukemic
- antimalarial
- antioxidant
- antipyretic
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- antirheumatic
- antiseptic
- antispasmodic
- antitumor
- antitussive
- antiulcerogenic
- antiviral
- ascorbic-acid
- astringent
- aucubin
- cardiotonic
- cathartic
- cholagogue
- choleretic
- choline
- demulcent
- deobstruent
- detoxicant
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- digestive
- diuretic
- dye
- expectorant
- fungicidal
- Hemostatic
- hypotensive
- laxative
- linoleic-acid
- mucilage
- purgative
- refrigerant
- sedative
- stomachic
- styptic
- tonic
- vermifuge
- vulnerary
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That is a lot of health-maintaining activity in just one plant. However there is more - here are other actions attributed to the constituents found in Broadleaf Plantain. Of course not all of these are considered major actions of Broadleaf Plantain, however the list does demonstrate just how comprehensive Broadleaf Plantain’s health maintaining abilities are.
Other actions of Broadleaf Plantain[6]
These are actions attributed to chemical constituents found in Broadleaf Plantain often the quantity of the substance is so minute that the action is not considered a significant feature of the plant's healing benefits.
Broadleaf Plantain constituents
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Vitamins
Ribwort or Plantain contains vitamins A, B, C and K.
Minerals
Plantain or Ribwort contains these minerals: Calcium, Iron, Silica, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Selenium, Sodium, Zinc, Potassium and Sulphur.
Plantain also contains many bioactive compounds
[8][2][9][10]
Allantoin ,
Aucubin , ursolic acid, asperuloside, mucilage, flavonoids, caffeic acid derivatives and alcohols in the wax on the leaf surface.
Active constituents found in Broadleaf Plantain[6]
Plantain Tincture
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- acetoside
- adenine
- allantoin
- apigenin
- ascorbic-acid
- asperuloside ( Flower 2 ppm )
- aucubin ( Leaf 10,000 ppm )
- baicalein
- baicalin
- benzoic-acid
- caffeic-acid
- catalpol
- chlorogenic-acid
- choline
- cinnamic-acid
- citric-acid
- d-glucose
- ferulic-acid
- fiber ( Seed 190,000 ppm )
- fumaric-acid
- geniposidic-acid
- gentisic-acid
- hispidulin
- lignoceric-acid
- linoleic-acid ( Seed 25,000 - 50,000 ppm )
- luteolin
- mucilage
- neo-chlorogenic-acid
- nepetin
- oleanolic-acid
- oleic-acid ( Seed 37,000 - 74,000 ppm )
- p-coumaric-acid
- p-hydroxy-benzoic-acid
- salicylic-acid ( Plant 1 ppm )
- sorbitol ( Plant 15,000 ppm )
- succinic-acid
- syringic-acid
- syringin
- tannin ( Plant 40,000 - 57,000 ppm )
- tyrosine
- tyrosol
- ursolic-acid
- vanillic-acid
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Broadleaf Plantain tea
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Why choose a Herbal Tea?
Plants produce a vast range of substances -
phyto-chemical s - which are very beneficial in restoring and maintaining health in we humans without side-effects. We believe that they are perfectly suited to preventative and curative health care because they are natural and harmonious to our bodies.
If you do not have fresh Broadleaf Plantain nearby or are not confident you can identify Broadleaf Plantain then dried material is the next best way to obtain their beneficial influence.
How long will Broadleaf Plantain tea keep it's potency?
Stored properly - in an air-tight glass container away from direct sunlight - Broadleaf Plantain tea will keep for up to 18 months without losing it's potency. If you are dealing with the onset of a severe condition we suggest it may be worth purchasing fresh material to have complete confidence in its healing potency.
When should I drink my Tea?
For best absorption, consume herbal teas 30 minutes or more before meals or drinking other liquids to avoid diluting it while it is in your digestive tract.
Caring for your Broadleaf Plantain herbal tea
If you don't plan on using the tea immediately, it's best to keep it unopened and away from direct sunlight (in a closed cupboard or drawer). Exposed to the air it may absorb moisture and humidity, so if they are opened, reseal them tightly, or (preferably) put it in a glass jars with a tight-fitting lid (avoid metal containers).
Most will never require refrigeration or freezing - just keep them at average room temperature (70-80 degrees). Generally, the "shelf-life" for optimum freshness will be about a year if stored properly.
If you live in a warm, high humidity area, it may be impossible to keep moisture out of regularly opened and closed glass containers, and the plants may become mouldy. If this happens, discard them and purchase fresh ones. To prevent mould, try storing them in paper lunch bags so they can “breathe” (although this will reduce the shelf-life significantly).
Making an Infusion
pour a cup after it has infused
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Preparing an infusion is just like making a cup of tea but allowing more time for the water to absorb the Broadleaf Plantain essence.
Pour boiling water over the tea (use a glass, stainless steel or ceramic vessel), cover it and allow to soak/steep for 20 minutes or so. Stirring it a few times while steeping is helpful - and is an ideal opportunity to focus your mind on the benefits it will bring to you.
Generally use 1 teaspoon of dried Broadleaf Plantain in a 250ml cup of water is sufficient. The standard dosage is one teacup (250ml), two or three times daily.
For convenience, your entire day's dosage can be prepared at night (2-3 cups at one time) and left overnight and then refrigerated for use throughout the day. You can drink it cold or heat it if you want it warm.
Making a Decoction
Because some tea (with bark, stems or roots in them) contains tough, woody material, a decoction is the recommended method for making your medicine.
Instead of just soaking it in hot water, the plant material is boiled for a longer period of time to soften the thicker woody pieces and release its active constituents.
Use a ceramic, glass or enamel pot with a snug fitting lid, if you don't have one then a stainless steel pot is good but definitely not aluminium or teflon.
Add the amount of herb needed (1 teaspoon per 250ml of water) to the proper amount of cold water in the pot depending on how many doses you wish to prepare.
Turn the heat to medium high and bring to a vigorous boil then put the lid on the pot and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle but cheerful simmer for 20 minutes.
If you can see steam escaping or smell the aroma of the herb, your lid is not tight enough and valuable essential oils may be escaping.
After 20 minutes, remove from heat and cool slightly, for maximum potency we encourage you to let it stand overnight.
Strain the mixture through a tea strainer into a wide-necked bottle, jug or cup, making sure to press on the material in the strainer with a spoon or similar to get as much of the liquid/decoction out of the material as possible.
Standard dosages for decoction are generally one-half to one cup, two or three times daily.
A day's dosage can be prepared the prior evening (2-3 cups at one time), allowed to continue to soak while it cools overnight to ensure maximum potency and refrigerated until ready to use throughout the next day.
Broadleaf Plantain tincture
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Is it Safe for me to take Broadleaf Plantain Tincture? If you have any concerns or apprehensions please use our free Herbal Tincture enquiry service so that we can make sure that what you want is completely safe for your situation or condition.
We especially encourage you to get in touch if you have any of the following health problems or conditions:
- An enlarged prostate gland
- Are preganant or breast-feeding
- Blood clotting problems
- Cancer
- Diabetes
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- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Immune system problems
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- Liver problems
- Psychiatric problems
- Parkinson's disease
- Stroke
- Thyroid problems
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You have two options when you purchase Broadleaf Plantain tincture:
- For external use which you can apply externally to the soles of your feet or topically on an external condition - you can purchase these without a consultation.
- For internal use. If you wish to take it internally because of the potency of these tinctures you need to be sure they will not cause complications with an existing health condition or prescribed drugs you may be taking.
Broadleaf Plantain tincture
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If you are in any doubt about the possibility Broadleaf Plantain tincture causing complications with prescription drugs or a medical condition you may have please get in touch so that we can advise you on the suitability of a particular tincture.
Especially if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
You can have an online consultation or visit our clinic for a thorough consultation if you wish to purchase our potent tinctures for internal use.
There are fewer concerns when using Broadleaf Plantain tincture externally and our many years of experience has shown that the tincture is just as effective being applied into the soles of the feet or applied
topically
on external conditions where they will be absorbed into your system.
Our clients who have come for a consultation use the same tincture internally and we recommend they take half an eyedropper (about 1.5ml) of herbal tincture in a small glass of water three times per day for adults and a quarter of an eyedropper in a small glass of water for children.
Broadleaf Plantain tincture is a potent liquid extract made from organic Broadleaf Plantain. It is a concentrated way of getting herbal medicine into your body easily especially applying them to the soles of your feet. Once a tincture is prepared, it has an extremely long shelf life. Tinctures should be kept in a cool, dark cupboard to maintain their potency.
If you are on any prescribed medication we strongly advise you to use our free Herbal Tincture enquiry service to make sure that the medication and potent Broadleaf Plantain tincture are compatible.
making medicine for internal use
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How to Use Broadleaf Plantain Tincture internally
How do I prepare my Broadleaf Plantain Tincture?
Just add the recommended dosage - which is usually 1.5ml or one eyedropperfull - to a glass of drinking water or any other cold drink.
Then drink it.
When should I drink my Broadleaf Plantain Tincture?
For best absorption, consume herbal tinctures 30 minutes or more before meals or drinking other liquids to avoid diluting it while it is in your digestive tract.
How to Use our Tinctures externally
how to apply a tincture to the soles of your feet
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If you are treating an external condition - such as a skin infection - then simply apply the tincture directly to the site using the eyedropper or a suitable swab.
If you are treating an internal condition then the best way to get the tincture into your body is through the soles of your feet. The skin is a highly absorptive organ and the feet have the reflexology facility which helps get the healing properties of the herbs right to the place inside you where they will do the most good.
If you don't have someone to do it for you, the easiest way we've found is to apply it sitting down. Rest one foot on your other leg's thigh (use a towel to make sure the tincture doesn't drip on your furniture or clothes), squirt a small amount of tincture onto the palm of one hand (about 1.5ml or half an eyedropper), rub it gently into the sole of your foot. In most cases you will find it has been absorbed within 30 seconds or so - you'll know when your foot feels dry. Then do the same to your other foot and the treatment is complete.
Broadleaf Plantain history
For millennia, poultices of plantain leaves have been applied to wounds, sores, and stings to promote healing [11].
hunter gatherers with herbs
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Common Plantain came to the United States with the Europeans[5], the native Americans, observing its spread, named it “white man's footprint” or “Englishman's foot”. Perhaps they saw the same resemblance to feet (or affinity for paths) as the Greeks. “Plantago” is derived from a Latin word meaning “sole of the foot”.
Plantago major was found about 4000 year ago in Europe for the first time[12].
Plantain was spread from Europe through the whole world. The Indians called the plant "The footstep of the white", because it everywhere was found where the Europeans been were.
Plantain has been known as a medicinal plant for centuries . In Scandinavia is the plant the best known its wound healing properties, the Norwegian and Swedish names for Plantain are Groblad which means “healing leaves”.
Plantain became also many used in the time of Shakespeare and also is named in the piece “Romeo and Juliet” Act I, Scene II (circa 1600).
Romeo: Your Plantain is for that excellent for.
Benvileo: For what, tea?
Romeo: For your wound.
Today Broadleaf Plantain is pretty well naturalized throughout the world.
Plantago major L PLANTAGINACEAE
Greater Ribwort Rat-tail Ribwort / Waybread
This and some closely related Plantago species such as P. major var. asiatica Decne. and P. lanceolaia L have a long traditional use in the treatment of sores which has recently been vindicated by modem examination of the plant's action. The unattractive and tenacious Ribworts are the scourge of gardeners, but many are still highly respected in folk medicine from Africa to Vietnam.
Description: Perennial. Leaves entire or slightly toothed, long petioled, ovate to elliptic, 5-20 cm long, forming a basal rosette. Leaves prominently 7-veined and no more than twice as long as the petiole. Flowers inconspicuous 3 mrn wide, numerous, yellowish-green, with lilac and then yellow anthers, on cylindrical spike 5-40 cm long. Appearing early summer to mid-autumn.
Distribution: Native to Europe. Introduced to other temperate zones. Widely distributed on cultivated land, wasteland and roadside. Prefers moist sandy or loamy nutrient-rich soils, but tolerates most conditions.
Cultivation: Wild plant. In eastern Europe commercial cultivation of P. lanceolata L. has recently begun. Constituents ( Mucilage; a pentacyclic triterpene, oicanolic acid; a glycoside, aueu- bin (rhinanthin); the enzymes emulsin and invertin; potassium salts (to 0.5%); citric acid. (seed) Oil (to 22%); a trisaccharide, planteose; aucubin; choline; various organic acids.
Uses: (dried leaves, seed) Vulnerary; diuretic; expectorant; astringent; bacteriostatic. Principally of use as a poultice, ointment or in decoction for the external treatment of wounds, ulcers and bites. Also used as a gargle and as an eye-wash in blepharitis and conjunctivitis.
The plant has the ability to destroy a wide range of micro-organisms, and stimulates the healing process (epithelization). The leaf may be employed internally to treat diarrhoea, and conversely the seed is of benefit in constipation. Formerly used to treat various haemorrhage; including post-partum haemorrhage; also bronchitis, bronchial catarrh and coughs. An effective diuretic. Employed homeopathically. The young leaf was once used as a pot-herb.
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Broadleaf Plantain cultivation
Known as a weed
[13] [14]
young Broadleaf plantain plants
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Broadleaf Plantain self-cultivating and grow just about anywhere under many conditions.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of this extraordinary plant is its ability to thrive in the most inhospitable of places.
At Middle Path this is the first plant to reappear in the road after a weeding session - it seems like it just won't take “no” for an answer!
Broadleaf Plantain video footage
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Some video showing you Broadleaf Plantain courtesy Dancing Spectrum Video
| Introducing our Plantain tea and tincture - Natures medicine chest in a plant. |
You can see more information by clicking on the tabs below
middlepath.com.au> Middle Path> Plants> Broadleaf Plantain - Plantago majorReferences
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