Plantain. Plantago major L. Rib Grass. Ribwort. Ripple Grass. Plantain, Fr. Wegerich, G. (Fam. Plantaginaceae).—The leaves are saline, bitterish, and acrid to the taste; the root is saline and sweetish. The common plantain weed was formerly considered refrigerant, diuretic, de-obstruent, and somewhat astringent. The ancients esteemed it highly, but it is at present never used, except externally in domestic practice as a stimulant application to sores. The leaves are applied whole or bruised in the form of a poultice.

Plantain is a well-known herb, growing in rich, moist places, in fields, by the roadsides, and in grass plats,

The plant loses its medicinal activity by drying. All its preparations should be made from the freshly-gathered roots and tops. Water or alcohol extracts the virtues of the plant.

Related Species.—Plantago lanceolata, Linné (more); Lance-leaved plantain, has properties similar to common plantain. Its leaves contain much bitter matter. Locally applied, it has proved a haemostatic for small bleeding surfaces.

Depression and insomnia of chronic Nicotinism. Causes an aversion to tobacco.

The roots and leaves are diffusively relaxant and stimulant, leaving behind a gentle tonic impression. They are not of strong power, and a concentrated decoction (or fluid extract) is required for internal use. The kidneys and mucous membranes receive their principal influence, and other glandular organs are moderately acted on.

The crushed leaves very promptly relieve the distressing symptoms caused by punctures from the horny appendages of larvae of lepidoptera and the irritation produced by certain caterpillars, as well as the stings of insects and bites of spiders. The promptness with which it relieves the burning pain of wounds caused by the first named and dissipates the rapidly spreading erythema, as we have personally experienced, leads us to believe it may be of value in erysipelas, and should be tried when that disease occurs in the summer season when the fresh plant can be obtained.

Used for poisonous bites, stings, toothache, etc

Plantago lanceolata (Llantén menor), es una especie apreciada popularmente como medicinal. En la actualidad se encuentra entre las plantas que se ha aprobado su empleo como droga seca y extracto fluido por el Ministerio de Salud Pública de Cuba para su incorporación al Sistema Nacional de Salud, por lo que se requieren grandes cantidades de material vegetal obtenidos a través de su cultivo. En la Estación Experimental de Plantas Medicinales "Dr. Juan Tomás Roig" se realizaron una serie de investigaciones que permitieron aconsejar efectuar los semilleros entre mediados de octubre e inicios de noviembre, su plantación a distancia de 45 x 20 cm y la realización de 3 recolecciones del material vegetal; la primera alrededor de los 45 d después del trasplante, las restantes con frecuencia de 30 d, lográndose un rendimiento total fresco de más de 20 toneladas por hectárea.

Its true Myzaldus and others yea almost all Astrologo-Physitians hold this to be an Herb of Mars, and they give a verisimile of a truth for it too, Viz. becaus it cures diseases of the Head and privities which are under the Houses of Mars, Aries, and Scorpio: All Diseases of the Head coming of heat are caused by Mars, for Venus is made of no such hot mettle, or at least deals in inferior parts. The truth is, it is under the command of Venus, and cures the Head by Antipathy to Mars, and the Privities by Sympathy to Venus, neither is there hardly a Martial Diseas but it cures, If I were to fortifie my Body against a Martial Diseas I would do it by this Herb as soon as by any, and may do it (it may be) when time shal serve.

---Medicinal Action and Properties---Refrigerant, diuretic, deobstruent and somewhat astringent. Has been used in inflammation of the skin, malignant ulcers, intermittent fever, etc., and as a vulnerary, and externally as a stimulant application to sores. Applied to a bleeding surface, the leaves are of some value in arresting haemorrhage, but they are useless in internal haemorrhage, although they were formerly used for bleeding of the lungs and stomach, consumption and dysentery. The fresh leaves are applied whole or bruised in the form of a poultice. Rubbed on parts of the body stung by insects, nettles, etc., or as an application to burns and scalds, the leaves will afford relief and will stay the bleeding of minor wounds.

And in the United States the plant is called 'Snake Weed,' from a belief in its efficacy in cases of bites from venomous creatures

The Broad-leaved Plantain seems to have followed the migrations of our colonists to every part of the world, and in both America and New Zealand it has been called by the aborigines the 'Englishman's Foot' (or the White Man's Foot), for wherever the English have taken possession of the soil the Plantain springs up. Longfellow refers to this in 'Hiawatha.'