Our ancestors often used it, both in cooking and as a natural remedy: Lanceolate plantain is one of the most common spontaneous medicinal herbs in our country and can be used to prepare infusions, tinctures and medicinal syrups.
The lanceolate plantain is a spontaneous herbaceous plant that grows almost everywhere in the countryside and belongs to the same family as the large plantain, which differs in its broader leaves.
In peasant tradition, plantain was used as a “first aid” remedy, so much so that an old peasant saying stated that “the way to the plantain is shorter than the way to the doctor”.
Of course, this plant cannot replace the doctor, but it offers healing properties that should not be ignored and which we list below.
Lanceolate plantain contains flavonoids, iridoids, mucilage, tannins and minerals, all of which are very rich in health benefits.
It is a plant characterized by its relaxing and expectorant properties, its mucous membrane toning, antispasmodic, anticatarrhal, healing and hemostatic properties.
Lanceolate plantain can be used in the following ways:
Tincture: Take 3 to 5 ml (60 drops – 1 teaspoon) 3 times daily to treat catarrh or digestive problems such as gastritis or irritable bowel syndrome.
Juice: Use the dried leaves to make a juice and take 3 teaspoons twice daily. This helps treat cystitis, diarrhea, and lung infections. You can also apply the juice to wounds.
Infusion: Drink a cup 3 times daily to combat phlegm. Use the infusion to gargle and soothe sore throats.
Syrup: Add 225 grams of sugar to 300 ml of infusion and take 5 ml (1 teaspoon) to relieve sore throats and coughs. Poultices
: Grind green leaves to prepare a poultice for slow-healing wounds or chronic ulcers. It is also useful for insect bites.
Now that you know all the wonderful properties of the lanceolate plantain, pick it up the next time you see it and try it: it is a miracle of nature.
