Herb name: Plantago, Plantago major
Family: Plantaginaceae
Useful plant parts: Leaves
Description: The plantago is a perennial plant, with leaves collected closely overground in a rosette-like shape. The leaves are smooth, wide, and long from 5 to 10 cm. Stems (without leaves) grow out from the ground leaves, and have long blooms, that are consisted of a large number of tiny flowers.
Collecting period and locations: Leaves can be picked throughout the summer. It is best to pick them just before flowering (normally the blooming period lasts from May to September). It is recommended not to pick plants near roads, but only those found on clean meadows. As for the locations, plantago can be found almost everywhere, on meadows and pastures, along ways, on fields, etc.
Medicinal properties and applications: Plantago is an excellent aid for cough, and other lung based diseases. In addition, it has been discovered that certain substances in the plant have antibiotic effects.
Active compounds: Mucilage, silicon dioxide and glycosides.
Recipe: You may prepare the tea by adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of leaves to a fourth liter of boiling water which is then left for about 15 minutes. The tea can be drinked 2-3 times a day.
A syrup can also be prepared, by taking fresh leaves are crushing or cutting them in small pieces and adding them to a smaller quantity of water, that is heated until boiling starts. This mixture doesn't need to be strained. At the end, honey is added and the prepared mixture is taken each hour (one teaspoon). |
