Greater plantain characteristics, habitat, properties, care

912
Abraham McLaughlin

The greater plantain (Plantago major) is a herbaceous plant with medicinal properties belonging to the Plantaginaceae family. Known as carmel, lanté, lantel, plantain, common plantain, large plantain, broadleaf plantain, plantago or sietenervios, its place of origin is located in Eurasia.

It is a wild grass that reaches 50 cm in height, it is characterized by oval, green and membranous leaves. The tiny yellowish-green or whitish flowers are grouped into tubular spikes that can measure up to 40 cm in length..

Greater plantain (Plantago major). Source: Alepistoia [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

The leaves emit a pleasant aroma, being also tender, edible and widely used in artisanal medicine. The seeds are highly appreciated for the content of a viscous, aromatic oil with a pleasant taste used in gastronomy.

It is a very common plant in various environments, it grows on humid lands, cultivated fields, pastures or intervened lands with good drainage. Indeed, it is found in the wild on the edge of roads, rocky areas, vacant lands, embankments or fields with a high content of organic matter..

It is one of the wild herbs with the most prolific and cosmopolitan medicinal properties, from which the leaves and seeds are used as home remedies. Its properties include its antiallergic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antidiarrheal, astringent, healing, depurative, disinfectant, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, hemostatic and laxative effect..

Article index

  • 1 General characteristics
    • 1.1 Appearance
    • 1.2 Sheets
    • 1.3 Flowers
    • 1.4 Fruits
    • 1.5 Composition
  • 2 Taxonomy
    • 2.1 Etymology
    • 2.2 Synonymy
    • 2.3 Subspecies
  • 3 Habitat and distribution
  • 4 Properties
    • 4.1 - Nutritional properties
    • 4.2 - Medicinal properties
    • 4.3 - Instructions for use
    • 4.4 - Contraindications
  • 5 Playback
  • 6 Care
    • 6.1 Handling
    • 6.2 Harvest
  • 7 Pests and diseases
  • 8 References

General characteristics

Appearance

Perennial herb with a single, short and thick stem, the average height is 30-50 cm that can vary according to the growth habit. Their life cycle generally lasts six to seven months depending on environmental conditions..

It has a short yellowish rhizome that can be up to 15 cm long in a fully developed plant. As well as abundant roots of uniform size and whitish color that are formed from the underground stem.

Sheets

The oval, glabrous, light green leaves with marked veins are attached to the stem through a narrow petiole. They are usually 50 cm long by 20 cm wide and petioles 15 to 18 cm long.

They have a vertical growth and are arranged alternately in a basal rosette at ground level. The margins are whole or slightly wavy and irregularly denticulate and have 3-7 longitudinal veins from the petiole to the blade.

flowers

Greater plantain flowers (Plantago major). Source: H. Zell [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]

The green-whitish calyx and corolla flowers are grouped in dense, cylindrical and elongated spikes between the months of May and October. The 15 cm long flower stalks, where the tiny florets are grouped, are born from the same insertion point of the foliar petioles.

Fruit

The fruit is a small ovate capsule known as pixidium, which when ripe opens transversely, leaving 8 to 16 seeds free. The tiny oval-shaped seeds are rough, shiny black and slightly bitter, about 1 mm long.

Composition

Leaves of greater plantain (Plantago major). Source: Rasbak [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)]

The phytochemical analysis has determined the presence of flavonoids, pectins, mucilages and tannins, as well as the glucosides aucuba (aucubin) and catapol. The highest concentration of the glucoside aucubin is located in the stems, leaves and flowers.

In the same way, it counts as mineral salts, zinc, salicylic acid, alkaloids, amino bases, sulfur compounds, steroids, resins and rutin. Likewise, acids-phenols, digiprolactan and loliolide lactone, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and certain substances with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties such as aucubin, baicalein and plantamajosida.

Of the phenolic acids the most common are caffeic, gentisic, ferulic, syringic, p-hydroxybenzoic and p-hydroxyphenylacetic acids. Mucilages of the type arabinagalactan, glucomannan and rhamnogalacturan, in addition to carotenes and various such as apigenin, escutellarin and luteolin.

Taxonomy

- Kingdom: Plantae

- Subkingdom: Tracheobionta

- Division: Magnoliophyta

- Class: Magnoliopsida

- Subclass: Asteridae

- Order: Lamiales

- Family: Plantaginaceae

- Gender: Plantago

- Species: Plantago major L.

Etymology

- Plantago: the generic name is related to the Latin expression "plantago" derived from "planta, -ae f." which means "sole of the foot". In allusion to the shape of the leaves, wider at one end and with obvious veins.

- major: the specific adjective corresponds to the Latin term that means "greater".

Synonymy

- Plantago borysthenica Wissjul.

- Plantago dregeana Decne.

- P. latifolia Salisb.

- P. major fo. scopulorum Fries

- Plantago major var. borysthenica Rogow.

- Plantago officinarum Crantz

- Plantago sinuata The m.

Subspecies

- Plantago major subsp. major

- Plantago major subsp. intermediate (DC.) Arcang.

- Plantago major subsp. winteri (Wirtg.) W. Ludw.

Fruits of greater plantain (Plantago major). Source: Frank Vincentz [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)]

Habitat and distribution

The greater plantain is native to Asia and Europe. It is geographically distributed throughout Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and North America. In Latin America it is located from Mexico and Costa Rica to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

It is found in the wild in grasslands, fallows, slopes, roadsides and around farmland. It adapts to regions with a temperate and cold climate, little warm and with high lighting, humid soils, from sea level to 2,100 meters above sea level..

Properties

Plantain is a wild plant with nutritional and medicinal properties, which is often considered invasive when environmental conditions are suitable. In natural medicine its leaves and seeds are used due to its bioactive principles, it is also used in gastronomy to flavor stews, soups and purees.

- Nutritional properties

The young leaves are edible due to their high content of vitamins and minerals, mainly vitamin A, vitamin C and calcium. It is usually consumed as a salad dressing, in combination with fresh, cooked or fried vegetables and greens.

They are preferably eaten tender, since the mature leaves tend to be fibrous, rough on the palate and with a strong astringent flavor. The tender stems are also edible, they are very nutritious due to the presence of thiamine or vitamin B1.

The oilseeds are used dry and crushed to flavor certain dishes, in the same way a semolina is prepared to cook the traditional "sago". In the wild, the leaves are a source of food for rabbits, goats or sheep, with the seeds countless birds feed.

- Medicinal properties

The main medicinal use of plantain is related to its ability to treat allergies and disorders of the respiratory system. Indeed, the leaves contain the glucoside aucuba with antibacterial properties, which is used to alleviate bronchopulmonary diseases.

Likewise, it contains mucilages and fibers with antitussive, antigastric, anti-inflammatory, béquic, emollient and softening action, which gives it an effective expectorant capacity. In fact, its consumption allows cleaning the respiratory tract, being indicated to soothe throat conditions, aphonia, cough, hoarseness, mucus in the bronchi and lungs..

Seeds of greater plantain (Plantago major). Source: Supermartl [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]

- How to use

Juice

The juice results from the crushing and subsequent straining through a sieve of several fresh leaves. This liquid is used topically to heal wounds and relieve earache..

Infusion

It is made by adding a glass of boiled water to 1-2 leaves of plantain, let it rest and sweetened with honey. It should be consumed warm two or three times a day to calm the symptoms of the common cold.

Cooking or decoction

In a container, boil a liter of water with a handful of dry leaves for 15 minutes, then filter it and let it rest. This decoction is indicated to wash external wounds and gargle, it is also useful to calm colds and heal wounds.

Washes

The infusion water or dilution of the decoction is used for washing and cleaning shallow wounds with the use of a cotton ball or handkerchief. These dilutions are also effective in calming conjunctivitis problems..

Compresses

Bandages or gauze are moistened with the infusion of several leaves. It is applied on the sight to reduce inflammation of the eyelids, relieve tired eyes and to cure conjunctivitis.

Dressings or poultices

The crushed leaves are disinfected in boiling water for one minute, then placed on wounds, burns, ulcers or sores using forceps. They are fastened by means of a firm bandage, it is recommended to change the sheets every 2-3 times a day.

Macerated

50-80 g of dried leaves are boiled in a liter of water for 10 minutes, leaving the mixture to macerate. Its consumption is indicated as anti-inflammatory, purifying, disinfectant and healing, it can be ingested several times a day.

Ointment or ointment

Plantain ointment is used to heal wounds, relieve insect bites, and soothe hemorrhoids. It is made from the concentrated juice of several leaves mixed with petroleum jelly or lard.

- Contraindications

Generally, greater plantain does not produce side effects if it is ingested orally in the form of infusion or decoctions. However, it can cause certain allergic reactions if applied topically as a poultice on the skin or external wounds..

Its intake is contraindicated in pregnant women, since it can have an abortive effect by generating changes in the uterus. In addition, its high content of vitamin K can interfere with the action of warfarin, an oral anticoagulant used to prevent thrombi and emboli.

Cultivation of plantain major (Plantago major). Source: Rasbak [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)]

Reproduction

The plantain plant usually grows naturally on cultivated fields, intervened land and on the side of roads. It is a small herbaceous plant whose leaves reach only 20-30 cm, so it does not require a large space to be cultivated..

The seeds are covered by a mucilaginous structure that becomes sticky when wet. In this way, its natural dispersal is facilitated, being transported by insects, birds or mammals..

Its cultivation in a commercial way is established to take advantage of the benefits of the leaves and seeds. In this case, it can be grown in orchards or pots, requiring a greater availability of humidity in pots..

Plantain can be planted directly in the field through seeds or transplanted seedlings established in the nursery. In both cases, it is advisable to sow at the end of the rains or the beginning of spring in a site with half or full sun exposure..

The recommended substrate is an equal parts mixture of black soil, worm castings, and composted organic matter. In the nursery, they usually germinate after 5-10 days, and the seedlings will be ready to transplant after 45 days..

The frequency of irrigation depends on the environmental conditions and texture of the substrate. However, excessive soil moisture should be avoided, as plantain roots are susceptible to waterlogging..

The harvest and collection of the leaves is carried out when the plant has reached its full maturity. It is advisable to keep the plant alive and collect the lower leaves for use. The seeds are collected when the inflorescences have dried.

Image of Greater Plantain (Plantago major). Source: Original book source: Prof. Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thomé Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz 1885, Gera, Germany [Public domain]

Care

Driving

Plantain is a wild plant that is not very demanding in relation to the type of soil, although it grows best on loose, well-drained soils. It grows with greater vigor on fertile substrates, but is susceptible to excess humidity or waterlogging of the ground.

It is developed preferably in places that present semi-shade and luminosity during the day. It is not recommended its cultivation in full sun exposure or completely shaded places.

Irrigation should be moderate, although it tolerates several days without humidity, it is susceptible to excess water in the land. Commercially grown requires keeping weeds free in order to avoid competition for moisture and nutrients.

Harvest

Harvesting is done during the flowering phase, the leaves dry in full sun for one day and in the shade for 3-5 days. The leaves must maintain their green color, not turn dark, and if drying is too slow, the active ingredients lose their effectiveness..

The seeds are harvested when the ears mature, they are dried directly in the sun and impurities are removed by aeration. Both the leaves and the seeds can be stored in a dry and cool place for up to 3-4 months without losing their medicinal properties..

Plagues and diseases

The plantain is a rustic plant with wild habits adapted to adverse environmental conditions. In fact, under certain conditions it is considered a weed, in addition there are no reported damages of economic importance caused by pests or diseases.

However, some publications indicate damage caused by coleopterans such as the striped flea (Systena basalis) and the green chrysomile (Diabrotica balteata) that cause perforations in the sheets.

Regarding diseases, there is evidence of the damage caused by phytopathogenic fungi Cercospora plantaginis Y Sclerotium rolfsii that can cause the death of the plant.

References

  1. Blanco-Ulate, B., Saborío, A., & Garro-Monge, G. (2008). Anatomical description, medicinal properties and potential use of Plantago major (greater plantain). Revista Tecnología en Marcha, 21 (2), p.-25.
  2. Plantain or Plantago mayor (2013) Eco-Farmer. © Naturvegan Ecologico S.L. Recovered in: ecoagricultor.com
  3. Mijalenko, S., Sanz, N. G, & Kovacic, P. N. (2012) Functional plantain. Argentine Animal Production Site.
  4. Mondragón P., J. & Vibrans, H. (2004) Weeds of Mexico. Plantago major L. Plantain major. Recovered at: conabio.gob.mx
  5. Ocampo Sánchez, R. A., & Valverde, R. (2000). Manual of cultivation and conservation of medicinal plants. RA Ocampo Sánchez. 1st ed. San Jose Costa Rica. ISBN 9977-12-430-2.
  6. Plantago major (2019) Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org

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