Plantago palmata

Hook.f.

Plantaginaceae Potential hazards — see below 174 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

iNaturalist· cc-by

Description

A herb. It is short and has underground roots or rhizomes. The leaves are in rings. The leaves have lobes like fingers on a hand. The leaves are 5-12 cm long by 3-13 cm wide. The flowers are in spikes 1-11 cm long.

Medicinal Uses

The leaves are used in the treatment of a wide range of complaints including oedema, threatening miscarriage, nausea during pregnancy, intestinal problems such as diarrhoea, to expel intestinal worms. The sap of the leaves, mixed in water. is taken as a treatment for diarrhoea and vaginal prolapse. An infusion of the leaves in milk is taken to treat intestinal problems. The pounded leaves, mixed with honey, are used as a treatment against heart problems. The leaves are macerated in banana beer, which is taken to treat hepatic diseases. The sap of the leaves, mixed with water, is applied externally to treat conjunctivitis and haemorrhoids. Pounded leaves and inflorescences are applied to burns and skin diseases. A grilled leaf is applied to aching joints. The macerated leaves are applied externally to treat breast infection. The roots are pounded in milk and taken to treat intestinal problems. The aerial parts of Plantago palmata contain the caffeic acid derivatives plantamajoside and acteoside, as well as the iridoid glycosides aucubin, geniposidic acid, epiloganic acid, arborescoside and gardoside. Plantamajoside has an inhibitory effect on arachidonic acid-induced mouse ear oedema (anti-inflammatory activity), and inhibitory effect on 5-lipoxygenase, 15-lipoxygenase, and cAMP phosphodiesterase. It also has some antibacterial activity. Both plantamajoside and acteoside have antioxidant activity and are DPPH radical scavengers. Aucubin shows anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, antidote and hepatoprotective activities as well as antiviral activity against hepatitis B. The leaves, fruits and roots of Plantago palmata have been tested for antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. There was no antibacterial activity, but all parts, especially the roots, expressed antifungal activity against Microsporum canum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, while the leaves had moderate activity against the Coxsackie virus.

Known Hazards

Plantain has been consumed as human food since prehistory. For example, archaeological recovery along California's Central Coast has demonstrated use of this species as a food since the Millingstone Horizon. The broad-leaved varieties are sometimes used as a leaf vegetable for salads, green sauce, and so on. Tender young plantain leaves can be eaten raw and older leaves can be cooked. The seeds can be cooked like rice. Plantago species have been used since prehistoric times as herbal remedies. The herb is astringent, anti-toxic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, as well as demulcent, expectorant, styptic and diuretic. Externally, a poultice of the leaves is useful for insect bites, poison-ivy rashes, minor sores, and boils. In folklore it is even claimed to be able to cure snakebite and was used by the Dakota tribe of North America for this. Internally, it is used for coughs and bronchitis, as a tea, tincture, or syrup. Tea made from the leaves may help cure diarrhea. Plantain seed husks expand and become mucilaginous when wet, especially those of P. psyllium, which is used in common over-the-counter bulk laxative and fiber supplement products such as Metamucil. P. psyllium seed is useful for constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, dietary fiber supplementation, and diverticular disease. Mucilage from desert indianwheat (P. ovata) is obtained by grinding off the husk. This mucilage, also known as psyllium, is commonly sold as Isabgol, a laxative which is used to control irregular bowel syndrome and constipation. It has been used as an indigenous Ayurvedic and Unani medicine for a whole range of bowel problems. Psyllium supplements are typically used in powder form, along with adequate amounts of fluids. A dose of at least 7 grams daily taken with adequate amounts of fluid (water, juice) is used by some for management of elevated cholesterol. There are a number of psyllium products used for constipation. The usual dose is about 3.5 grams twice a day. Psyllium is also a component of several ready-to-eat cereals. In Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Russia, leaves from Plantago major are used as a folk remedy to preventing infection on cuts and scratches because of its antiseptic properties. In Slovenia and other Central European regions, the leaves were traditionally used topically as a cure for blisters resulting from friction (such as caused by tight shoes etc.). There may also be a use for plantains in the abatement of enteric methane from ruminants, as the natural compounds present (e.g. condensed tannins; ~14 g/kg DM), affect the acetate-propionate ratio in the rumen, which is a primary mechanism by which methanogenesis is restricted. Currently this is not a viable option in any significant scale due to agronomic difficulties.