Plantain and Its Uses
Uses of Ribwort Plantain
Ribwort plantain (lat. Plantago lanceolata) is a perennial herb that grows from a short rhizome forming a rosette of basal leaves. The leaves are long-lanceolate with parallel veins, gradually narrowing downwards into a long, often hairy petiole. Ribwort plantain flowers from May to September. The fruit is an ovate capsule containing two relatively large seeds. There are also Greater plantain, Hoary plantain and Indian plantain.
Ribwort plantain grows abundantly in Europe and Asia in meadows, field boundaries, field paths, ditches, embankments and light forests, but also as a weed in gardens and fields, especially in clover fields. Plantain is also cultivated for pharmaceutical purposes. The leaves are collected from May to August. The flowering stems are removed, and the leaves are quickly dried in thin layers in the shade or at an artificial temperature up to 50°C to prevent them from losing their green color.
Use of plantain in cosmetics
Plantain herb contains mucilage, tannins and the glycoside aucubin. It appears that the entire complex of these substances affects the human body. Most commonly, we can prepare a plantain infusion at home by pouring 0.5 l of warm water over 50 g of the herb, leaving it to infuse for 30 minutes, and mixing it with an equal part of diluted alcohol. This infusion serves as an excellent facial toner for impure, acne-prone skin or acne. Crushed fresh leaves can be added to herbal facial masks.
Use of plantain in medicine
Folk medicine and to some extent official medicine consider plantain leaves to be very effective. Internally, they are used in the form of syrups, drops and teas against inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, against cough, and as an intestinal regulator. Externally, it is recommended to apply a decoction from the leaves or directly well-washed leaves to wounds, which then heal well. It is also used to treat swelling, such as insect bites.