Our ancestors often used it, both in cooking and as a natural remedy: lanceolate plantain is one of the most present spontaneous medicinal herbs in our country and can be used for the preparation of infusions, tinctures and healing syrups .
The lanceolate plantain is a spontaneous herbaceous plant which grows almost everywhere in our countryside, and belongs to the same family as the great plantain, the latter being different by its wider leaves.
In peasant tradition, plantain was used as a “first aid” remedy, so much so that an old peasant adage said that “ the path to the plantain is shorter than the path to the doctor .”
Obviously, this plant cannot replace the doctor, but it still offers healing properties that should not be ignored, and which we list below.
Ribwort plantain contains flavonoids, iridoids, mucilage, tannins and minerals , all very rich in health benefits.
It is a plant that stands out for its relaxing and expectorant , toning of the mucous membranes, antispasmodic , anticatarrhal , healing and hemostatic action.
Ribwort plantain can be used in the following ways:
- Tincture : Take 3 to 5 ml (60 drops – 1 teaspoon) 3 times daily to combat catarrh or digestive problems, such as gastritis or irritable bowel syndrome.
- Juice : Use the dried leaves to prepare a juice and take 2 teaspoons 3 times a day. This is used to fight cystitis, diarrhea and lung infections. You can also apply the juice on the wounds.
- Infusion : Drink a cup 3 times a day to fight against phlegm. Use the infusion to gargle and soothe a sore throat.
- Syrup : Add 225 grams of sugar to 300 ml of infusion and take 5 ml (1 teaspoon) to relieve sore throats and coughs.
- Poultices : Grind the green leaves to make a poultice for slow-healing wounds or chronic ulcers. Also useful in case of insect bites.
Now that you know all the wonderful properties of the lanceolate plantain , the next time you see one, pick it up and try to use it: it is a wonder of nature.