Plantain is a herb; every person has been aware of the amazing healing properties since childhood. Everyone knows that a wound or bruise will stop hurting if a bright green leaf is applied to the damaged area. However, the healing power is inherent not only in the leaves, but also in the stems and seeds.
Where does plantain come from? What is included in its composition? And how else can this plant be used? This and many other things are worth telling in detail now.
Vitamin C
This is the first component of plantain. There is a lot of vitamin C in the grass. Its benefits are as follows:
- Positive effect on the central nervous system.
- Strengthening blood vessels.
- Participation in the process of proteoglycan production by cartilage cells.
- Stimulation of the endocrine glands.
- Participation in blood renewal processes.
- Antioxidant effect.
- Maintaining the body with diabetes, as well as after a stroke and heart attack.
- Participation in recovery processes.
- Healing ulcers and wounds.
In addition, vitamin C is a powerful energy drink that can regain strength when overworked.
Beta carotene
Many properties of grass plantain determines the presence of this powerful unsaturated hydrocarbon in its composition. When beta-carotene enters the body, it is synthesized into vitamin A, the benefits of which are known to everyone. In addition, the following properties are inherent in this substance:
- It is a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from radicals that provoke the development of cardiovascular and oncological diseases.
- It reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis.
- Beta carotene lowers cholesterol.
- It has a positive cosmetic effect on hair, nails and skin.
- Prevents the development of cataracts and glaucoma, improves eyesight.
- Helps to cope with diseases of the genitourinary system.
- Accelerates skin regeneration in case of ulcers, wounds and burns.
- Supports the work of the prostate gland.
In addition to the above, beta-carotene helps maintain immunity, effectively combating infectious processes. If you believe some studies, the intake of this substance in the body in large quantities helps inhibition of cell destruction in AIDS.
Vitamin K
Many properties of medicinal herbs plantain are due to the presence of this substance in its composition. Vitamin K greatly affects coagulability. That is why bleeding quickly stops if a leaf or gruel from plantain is applied to the wound. It is also important to note the following:
- Vitamin K positively affects the work of the gall bladder, liver and kidneys.
- Normalizes metabolism in the connective and bone tissue.
- Helps the body absorb calcium and vitamin D.
- Prevents the appearance and development of osteoporosis.
- Participates in redox reactions.
- Promotes the synthesis of proteins necessary for pulmonary and cardiac tissue.
In addition, vitamin K neutralizes such strong poisons as aflotoxin, coumarin, and many others similar in composition.
Other components
In a smaller amount in the composition of plantain grass are present:
- Bioflavonoids. These are powerful antioxidants.
- Various enzymes.
- Uronic and citric acids.
- Tannins. They have a bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and astringent property.
- Volatile They prevent infections.
- Alucine glycoside, which determines the anti-inflammatory properties of the plant.
- Alkaloids. Promote cardiac activity and positively affect the central nervous system.
- The most important trace elements (selenium, molybdenum, calcium, cobalt, potassium, copper, iron).
Plantain seeds deserve special attention. Many people know about the grass and its properties, but not everyone knows how great their benefits are. In addition to the above, they also include:
- Proteins
- Amino acids.
- Saponins. These are substances that help with coughing, thin out sputum in the bronchi and increase the secretion of gastric juice.
- Slime. Its content is about 44%.
- Essential Fatty Acids.
It is difficult to talk about the importance of each component that is part of this plant, since there are a lot of them. So it’s worth summarizing them and generally telling about the benefits of plantain.
Compresses and ointments
It is possible to contribute to the healing of wounds or the elimination of pain in swollen places in a more effective way than by applying a sheet to them. Better to make a compress.
To do this, rinse large fresh leaves in water and carefully grind them into gruel. Put the resulting mass into a damaged place and gently “fix” it on it, wrapping it with a film. Do not tighten. Or, if it’s not a limb, and you won’t be able to wind it up, you can just pull a film over the pulp and fix the edges with a band-aid. Wear preferably 10-12 hours.
With purulent skin diseases, homemade plantain ointment can help. You just need to mix the grass (10 g) with petroleum jelly (100 g) and grind the damaged area with the resulting mixture.
And you can prepare the ointment in a different way. Squeeze juice from fresh leaves - you should get 2 tablespoons. Mix them with fresh butter, add a teaspoon of honey. It is recommended to lubricate such ointment with burn, purulent and inflamed wounds. The optimal number of procedures is 3-4 times a day. The pre-treated area should be washed with hydrogen peroxide or manganese solution.
Decoction of leaves
This medicine, which is easy to prepare at home, has a number of healing properties. The grass plantain in broth reveals all its strength. The drug has worked well in the treatment of the following pathologies and conditions:
- Gum disease and periodontal disease.
- Diseases of the respiratory system and throat. Most effective in asthma, tuberculosis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, whooping cough and pleurisy.
- Dysentery.
- Diseases of the stomach, provoked by low acidity.
- Colitis, hemorrhoids, increased gas formation.
- Gallbladder disease.
- Hypertension of the initial stage.
- Headaches, arrhythmias, problems with blood vessels.
- Inflammation of the eyes.
- Acne, rash, and inflammatory skin processes.
- Parametritis and inflammation of the genitourinary system.
- Dermatitis and urticaria.
- Insomnia, neurasthenia and exhaustion.
- Lymphostasis and swelling.
- Leukemia, malignant skin ulcers, cancer.
In general, there can be a lot of evidence for taking a decoction. Plantain grass is really effective, the main thing is to remember to drink this healing medicine and observe the measure.
How to cook a decoction?
There are two excellent recipes, and both are simple.
First:
- 10 grams of plantain leaves pour hot water (250 ml).
- Send the container to a water bath and keep it under the lid for half an hour.
- Strain.
Second:
- 5 grams of plantain pour a liter of boiling water.
- Boil over low heat for 10 minutes.
- Leave under cover for a day.
- Strain.
To prepare the broth, you can use not only dry, plantain bought in a pharmacy, but also natural. But you have to grind it well. And it is better to take 2-3 times more raw materials, taking into account the fact of shrinkage.
A decoction of seeds
In grass, plantain, the application is quite widespread. Its seeds, in addition to the listed actions, also have additional ones. A decoction based on them is capable of:
- Normalize the female hormonal background.
- Relieve diabetes.
- To soothe the mucous membrane of the stomach, protect it from irritating factors, and relieve inflammation.
- To establish intestinal motility, contribute to the removal of toxins.
- Positive effect on potency.
How to cook such a decoction? There are also two recipes here.
First:
- Pour seeds (1 tbsp. L.) In an enameled container.
- Pour a glass of water.
- Boil for one minute.
- Insist 30 minutes under the lid.
- Strain.
Second:
- Seeds (1 tbsp. L.) Pour boiling water (350 ml).
- Simmer for 15 minutes over low heat.
- Strain.
Drink this amount per day in three divided doses with equal time intervals between them.
Could there be harm?
Yes, like any other product or medicine. And contraindications should be mentioned. Plantain grass is far from harmless. And a person, unknowingly, can harm himself. Contraindications are as follows:
- High acidity of the stomach.
- Ulcer.
- Hyperacid gastritis.
- Increased concentration of gastric juice.
- Thrombophlebitis.
- Increased blood coagulation.
- Individual intolerance.
So there are not only medicinal properties of the plantain grass. And there are contraindications, as you see. Therefore, before you start taking any remedy based on it, you need to consult a doctor. Or at least start with small dosages. In the absence of a negative reaction, you can increase the dose to normal.
Cosmetology
Much has been said above about the medicinal properties, benefits and harms of psyllium grass. It should also be noted that on its basis make excellent cosmetic products that contribute to:
- Smoothing wrinkles of any type.
- The elimination of purulent inflammation.
- Traces of healing of cracks and wounds.
- Mitigation of the epidermis.
The regular use of plantain-based products really gives a wonderful effect. It is not surprising, because it contains organic acids, flavonoids, tannins and the listed vitamins that are simply necessary for the skin.
Cosmetics at home
If you want to help your skin, then you can make ice from plantain. Cryomassage improves lymphatic drainage, strengthens blood vessels, works against wrinkles.
You will need:
- Plantain dry, shredded - 8 grams.
- Filtered water - 80 ml.
- Wheat oil - 5 ml.
Water must be heated, then pour dry grass into it and cover with a lid. Stir and leave for 2 hours, covered with a lid. After the time has passed, strain and add oil. Pour into ice molds and send to the freezer. Frozen cubes need to be cleaned before cleansed face skin before going to bed and apply moisturizing cocoa butter on it after the procedure.
You can also make a lotion that effectively tightens pores, soothes pustules and treats a purulent rash. Required:
- Dry plantain - 12 g.
- Cognac - 50 ml.
- Water - 90 ml.
- Peach oil - 6 ml.
What do you need? Insist plantain in cognac for a week. Then strain the liquid and add oil and water to it. Pour the resulting composition into a bottle, install a spray nozzle on it. Shake well before each use. It can be applied to the skin with a cotton pad or just like that.
Well, plantain is really a real natural healer. Once again, this can be verified by the fact that many medical preparations are also made on its basis.