PLANTAIN

Plantago ssp, incl major, psyllium, & lanceolata: Plantaginaceae

PLANET: Venus

ELEMENT: Earth

TASTE: astringent, bitter	VIPAKA: pungent
WARMTH: cooling	DOSHAS: V+ P- K-

MERIDIANS: bladder, small intestine, gall bladder

ACTIONS: expectorant, demulcent, antitussant, astringent, diuretic, alterative, refrigerant, vulnerary, hepatic, antitoxin, bacteriostatic.

INDICATIONS: coughs, mild bronchitis, asthma, hayfever, allergies, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, cystitis, incontinence, haemorrhage anywhere, esp urinary tract, hepatitis and other inflammatory diseases, internal and/or external ulcers and toxins, fever, headache, thrush, acute and/or chronic wounds and sores, neuralgia, menorrhagia, venereal diseases

PRECAUTIONS: none given

CONSTITUENTS: mucilage, a heteroside called AUCUBOSIDE which hydrolyses to AUCUBINE and sugar, CATALPOL, flavonoids, tannin, organic acids including phosphoric, ursolic, silicic and chlorogenic, vits A, C, K, zinc, iron, calcium, sodium

PREPARATION AND USE:
-infusion of 1 c boiling water on 2 tsp dried leaves, drink three times daily
-the juice can be used to heal haemorrhoids, cuts, external ulcers, wounds, bruises, burns, insect bites
- 2-3 ml tincture three times daily
- a poultice can be made with plantain and comfrey leaves and a small amount of cayenne to stop bleeding, heal wounds and draw out splinters or infection.
-if wounded in the woods, chew a plantain leaf and apply directly
-seeds and seed husks of psyllium are used as bulking agents for the stool, helping to relieve constipation and to clean out intestinal toxins
-washes for wounds and irritated skin conditions
-gargles for mouth, gums, and throat irritation or bleeding
-ointments for burns, piles, eczema
-for thrush, boil 1 oz seeds in 1 1/2 pint water and take the syrup three or four times daily
-juice for rattlesnake and insect bites
-soak leaves in vinegar, dry overnight, and put on under stockings to aid leg pains

NUTRITIONAL USE: vitamins and minerals as above; eat young leaves raw like lettuce

USE IN MAGIC: Healing, Strength, Protection, Repels Snakes
-bind to the head with red wool to cure headaches, place beneath the feet to relieve weariness
-protects cars from evil spirits
-carried in pocket to protect from snake bites

USE IN PERSONAL GROWTH:
-identification and clearing of sources of irritation in one's life and being
-loosens congested thoughts or emotional patterns, allowing greater clarity
-balancing health habits, discrimination in choosing regimes
-taking responsibility for one's actions and relationships by developing greater discrimination

"To the extent that I perceive and let Divine love into my life, I can enjoy the harmony that is my birthright."