Plantain we all know from childhood is an unpretentious and hardy plant. The area of its distribution is quite wide, the medicinal culture grows everywhere throughout our country. About the healing properties of plantain has been known for a very long time. On its basis, different variations of drugs for the treatment of diseases are created. They can be purchased at the pharmacy or prepared independently. The proposed material talks about the most effective tool - a plantain broth.
Description
This is a perennial plant that belongs to the plantain family. The healing properties of plantain have been known for a long time. In ancient times, it was used to treat cough, as a vitamin complex, hemostatic agent.
The grass consists of a small basal rosette, from the central part of which leafless branches appear in the summer. They form small flowers, and later seeds. Such processes are called flower arrows. Plantain has a very short but thick rhizome with a large number of filiform processes located vertically. The root is very hard, woody, brown. The leaves are quite wide, petiolate, have an ovoid shape. On each leaf in the middle, 6–9 veins are noticeable. Leaves have a deep dark green color, smooth to the touch. Note that they are characterized by more useful properties.
Plantain flowering begins in May and ends in August. This is the most favorable time for the procurement of medicinal raw materials. Please note: decoctions can be prepared from fresh and dry parts of the plant.
Medicinal properties of plantain
The plant is interesting in that all its parts can be used for medicinal purposes. The most useful properties are anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, bactericidal, wound healing. The plant has a high content of volatile and tannins, which have a bactericidal effect. In addition, plantain contains polysaccharides, due to this, inflammatory processes slow down and wounds heal.
However, the healing properties of plantain are not limited only to these indicators. It will be useful to know that:
- Plantain enhances immunity, improves the effectiveness of other drugs in the fight against leukemia and malignant tumors. With radiation or chemical therapy, it helps protect internal organs from damage.
- Favorably affects the digestive tract, increases appetite.
- When coughing, a decoction of plantain helps well. Also, this composition is effective for bronchitis, pleurisy and tuberculosis.
- The action of plantain favorably affects the nervous system, depending on the composition, the infusion has a tonic effect or, conversely, a calming effect.
- Using a decoction helps lower blood pressure.
Indications for use
Plantain broth is an easy-to-prepare, but extremely effective remedy. It helps strengthen immunity and helps maintain good health even for serious illnesses. It is used for:
- gum disease, periodontal disease, scurvy;
- diseases of the respiratory system and throat (bronchitis, whooping cough, tonsillitis, tonsillitis, bronchial asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis);
- diseases of the stomach associated with low acidity, colitis;
- increased gas formation in the intestines, stomach, hemorrhoids, diarrhea;
- hypertension (in the initial stage);
- arrhythmias, blood vessel diseases, headaches;
- gall bladder diseases;
- inflammatory processes on the skin, acne;
- urticaria, dermatitis;
- parametritis, inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system;
- swelling, lymphostasis;
- insomnia, exhaustion, neurasthenia;
- oncological diseases of the lungs, stomach, leukemia;
- malignant skin ulcers.
Plantain seed broth
Highly effective are preparations prepared on the basis of plantain seeds. Such medicines:
- help to make you feel better with diabetes;
- completely heal from female infertility that has arisen on hormonal soil;
- have a calming effect on the gastric mucosa, relieve irritation, protect against negative factors;
- lead to normal peristalsis of the intestine, relieve it of accumulated harmful toxins.
Contraindications
Before taking any medications from herbs, first of all, you need to consult a doctor. In some diseases, a plantain broth may be contraindicated. Refuse phytotherapy should be:
- thrombosis;
- varicose veins;
- increased blood coagulability;
- gastritis or peptic ulcer;
- with individual intolerance or hypersensitivity to plantain.
Collection and harvesting of raw materials
Plantain leaves are harvested during flowering, which lasts from June to October. Next, the prepared raw materials are laid in a single layer on a clean cloth or paper and placed for drying in the shade. This can be done in the open air, attics, verandas, etc. Leaflets must be periodically reviewed and turned over, discarded brown and yellowed.
Harvesting of seeds lasts from late summer to early autumn. To obtain seeds, the stems are cut and dried, after which the seeds are cleaned by hand. Raw materials should be stored in clean, dry glass containers with a tight-fitting lid. Shelf life is: leaves - two years; seeds - three.
Plantain leaf
The leaves of this plant contribute to the disinfection of wounds and are an excellent hemostatic. Before use, they must be washed, then whole (however, you can grind them) and apply to the wound. As a result, the pain will weaken, and then the bleeding will stop. What helps plantain broth? It is used for insomnia, allergies, is a sedative.
The leaves of the plant contain aucubin glycoside, carotene, vitamin K, ascorbic acid, tannins, flavonoids, sorbitol, beckon, citric acid. Please note: phyto raw materials are hygroscopic, which means that it must be stored in sealed containers. Means from plantain leaves (infusions and decoctions) are recommended for colitis, dyspepsia, abdominal pain and for the treatment of cholecystitis. In addition, the compositions of these raw materials have a positive effect on the male gonads due to the fact that they are saturated with saponins, pectins and other very useful substances.
Fresh leaves of plantain are used to prepare infusions, extracts, squeeze juice from them. Note that in severe peptic ulcer, alcohol and water extracts from plantain leaves have a beneficial effect.
Psyllium seeds
Various poultices are prepared on the basis of this raw material, which will help relieve inflammation in diseases of the mucous membranes or skin. To prepare the product, the seeds are placed in hot water, after they are swollen, crushed. In the treatment of female infertility or diabetes, a plantain seed broth is used. It must be taken three times a day for 30 or 60 days under Art. spoon. The composition of the seeds of various types of plantain includes essential oil, nitrogenous substances, oleanolic acid.
If preparations from plantain seeds are taken daily, the risk of cardiovascular disease is significantly reduced. Such compositions help to cleanse the body of bile acids, normalize blood sugar. With hormonal deficiency in women, it is recommended to drink a decoction made from the seeds of plantain.
Husk seed
As a medicine, seed husks are often used, which is obtained by splitting them. Decoctions made from it are used for constipation, various skin irritations, to eliminate problems associated with the bladder.
Husk shows good results in the treatment of such an ailment as hemorrhoids. Due to the fact that it contains alkaloids, amino acids, a lot of insoluble fiber - it is a mild laxative.
Medicinal raw materials help reduce pressure and restore the function of the circulatory system.
Often husk with seeds is used as a thickener in cosmetology and cooking.
When combined with water, the mass swells, resulting in a jelly-like substance. It stimulates the gastrointestinal tract, while eliminating irritation of the colon. Psyllium husk acts as a natural cleanser and helps to free from toxins and toxins, reduces the risk of malignant neoplasms.
Treatment for cough and bronchitis
Folk remedies become especially relevant when patients have an allergy or a ban on medicines. By the way, the effectiveness of drugs from plantain is recognized as official medicine. After all, they include essential oils and natural extracts, which are the basis of most cough syrups.
Consider how to cook a plantain broth with bronchitis and dry cough. Pour a large spoonful of seeds into a thermos, fill with 200 ml of water, infuse for 2 hours, then filter. We drink warm medicine at 50-60 ml 4 times a day. If the oral administration is combined with compresses of alcohol tincture prepared from the seeds of plantain, then the cough will stop faster.
Plantain syrup
This medicine is an excellent vitamin, therapeutic and prophylactic for children and adults with colds and the flu epidemic. A syrup can be prepared throughout the summer and autumn, stored and taken throughout the winter. In order to prepare syrup from plantain, it is necessary to take fresh leaves, rinse them, dry, cut and cover with sugar. The jar needs to be tightly corked with a lid and put in the refrigerator. After 2 months, the syrup is ready for use. It is filtered, squeezed and poured into another clean dish. Instructions for the use of plantain: children are given the medicine 3 times a day, one teaspoon each, adults - 1 tablespoon each.
Treatment of skin diseases, ulcers and gastritis
A decoction made from fresh leaves of plantain shows good results in the treatment of various skin diseases, including traumatic in nature. In its warm form it is used for the preparation of dressings, compresses, lotions.
Please note: it is allowed to take medication for gastritis only with low acidity. Juice treats stomach and intestinal ulcers. Treatment is best done in the summer, when fresh raw materials are abundant. The leaves are washed and arbitrarily cut, after which they squeeze the juice from them. Drink 2-3 tbsp. l 30 minutes before meals, three times a day. The course of therapy is 10 days.
Alcohol tincture
Indications for the use of plantain tincture are as follows: gynecological diseases, impotence, vitamin deficiency. From plantain, you need to squeeze juice in a volume of 200 ml, add exactly the same amount of vodka to it. Put the tincture dishes in a cool, dark place for 15 days. It should be taken once a day, per 10 kg of weight 3 ml settings.
Plantain in cosmetology
In cosmetology, the leaves of the plant from which the infusion is prepared are most often in demand. In addition, you can use plantain juice. As a moisturizer for the skin, a compress is made from plantain. To do this, a couple of spoons of crushed leaves are combined with a glass of boiling water and insisted for half an hour, after which they are filtered. The compress is alternated three to four times, starting with hot (it is applied for no more than 2 minutes) and ending with cold (for 5 minutes).