Ribwort

(Plantago lanceolata L., Plantaginaceae)

Also Called: Lance-leaf plantain, Long Plantain, Snake Plantain.

Description: Perennial plant up to 50cm (20in) high.
The erect, hairy, lanceolate leaves grow up to 40cm (16in) long from the rootstock on margined petioles in a basal rosette. There are 3-7 longitudinal nerves distinct and prominent on the lower surface.
Several grooved flower stalks may grow from 6 to 30 inches high, tipped by a short spike of tiny white flowers whose brownish sepals and bracts give the spike its predominantly dark colour.
Seeds about 1 mm (0.03in) long, oval, blackish-brown.
Flowering time is from April to November.

Parts Used: Principally the dried leaves; rarely the ripe seeds.

Habitat and Collection:Widespread in Britain and central Europe, Lance-leaf plantain is a perennial plant that inhabits meadows, roadsides, on embankments, agricultural lands, rubbish heaps and in grassland.
Generally distributed in Britain on neutral and basic soils.
The leaves are collected in spring as the flowers appear and are dried as rapidly as possible either in the shade or in sunlight at 30 -50C (86 -122 F).
Slow drying produces a brown drug.
Seeds are collected when mature (August October) and on a dry day.

Constituents and Action Mucilage and the glycoside aucubin are present.
Astringent, demulcent, expectorant, hemostatic, feeble resolutive action.
The seeds contain mucilage in the epidermis; they have a regulating action on the intestine.

Lance-leaf plantain is a useful remedy for cough irritations and hoarseness and for gastritis and enteritis.
It is good for all respiratory problems, especially those involving mucous congestion.
A decoction of the dried leaves promotes the coagulation of blood.
The fresh juice, pressed from the whole plant, is helpful for chronic catarrhal problems, gastro-intestinal ailments, and worms.
Externally, the fresh leaves are crushed for application to wounds, sores, cuts, scratches, insect bites, and even hemorrhoids.

Usage:
Infusion: Steep 1 tbsp. leaves in 1/2 cup water for 5 minutes. Take 1 cup a day, mainly for persistent bronchitis.
Decoction: Boil 2 oz. dried leaves in 1/2 qt. water. Helps coagulate blood.
Juice: Take 1 tbsp. In water or milk or mixed with 1 tbsp. honey, three times a day.
Ointment: For hemorrhoids, boil 2 oz. of the plant In 1 pint soybean or peanut oil.
The seed (allow 1-3 teaspoonfuls to swell for 2 hours in half a tumbler of water and swallow the whole) as a mild purgative for slight diarrhoea

 

PLANTAIN (cont.)

(Plantago media)

Also Called: Hoary plantain, gray ribwort, woolly plantain.

Part Used: The plant.

Description: Hoary plantain is a perennial plant favouring the same habitats as the foregoing plantains, but it is geographically limited to the northeastern U.S. and some local areas in the western states. Its leaves are shorter than those of lance-leaf plantain, more ovate, and they are covered with white hairs. The fragrant white flowers grow in short, dense spikes from 1 to 3 inches long. Flowering time is May to September.

Properties and Uses: Same as lance-leaf plantain.

Preparation and Dosage: Same as lance-leaf plantain.