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Plantago Herba, Plantain Herb, Che Qian Cao 车前草

Arnoglossum
Che Qian Cao (TCM)
Picture
Plantago major
Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

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Plantago minor (P. lanceolata)
Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

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Left: Red Plantain;   Right: Greater Plantain       
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

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Plantago major
Flora von Deutschland (20), Kohler, 1885

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Plantago. lanceolata
Flora von Deutschland (20), Kohler, 1885

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Plantago asciatica
Illustrations Of Indian Botany
, Vol. II, Wight, 1850

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Members CLICK HERE for the PRO VERSION

Botanical name:
Plantago spp.
A number of species are used:
  1. P. majus, Greater Plantain (Main source)
  2. P. lanceolata, Ribwort Plantain (preferred for Lung conditions)
  3. P. coronopus, Buck's-Horn Plantain
  4. P. media is Hoary Plantain.
  5. P. asciatica and others are used in India and China.
  6. P. majus and P. depressa are reportedly used in Tibet.

Parts used:
Herb, Juice; sometimes the root

Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Slightly Bitter and Sweet

Classifications:
2G. CLEANSING.    2N. REPELLENTS.    2O. ASTRINGENTS.    2T. GLUTINATE.    2Z. CICATRIZING
3B. FEBRIFUGE & ANTIPYRETIC.    3K. EXPECTORANT.    3L. ANTI-TUSSIVE.    3M. ARTHRITICS
4e. STOMACHIC

Uses:
1. Clears Heat and Phlegm, Stops Cough:
(TCM, West)
-heat-type coughs with thick yellow phlegm, dry cough

2. Clears Heat and Toxins, Reduces Swelling, Eases Pain: (TCM, West)
-all sorts of Fevers

3. Clears Heat, Stops Bleeding: (TCM, West)

4. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine: (TCM, West)
-Edema, Cystitis

5. Externally:
-
poultice of the leaves is good for heat-type pain and inflammation; Dermatitis, Eczema etc.


Comment:
1. Greater Plantain was most used, and is preferred for Heat and Toxin
2. Ribwort Plantain is now preferred for Lung Heat Cough (although Greater Plantain was traditionally used)

Dose:
Leaf or Whole herb in Decoction: 6–15 grams (15–30 grams fresh)
Fresh leaf Juice: 1–3 oz.
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Main Combinations:
Comfrey & Plantain

Clear Heat:
1. To clear Heat and cool the Blood:
i. Plantain,  ... available in PRO version
ii. Plantain,  ... available in PRO version
iii. Plantain with  ... available in PRO version

Bleeding:
2. For heat-type Bleeding:
i. Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
iii. Plantain root & seed,  ... available in PRO version
3. Bleeding from the Lungs:
i. Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
iii. Plantain,  ... available in PRO version
iv. Plantain juice,  ... available in PRO version
v. Juices of Plantain,  ... available in PRO version

Lungs:
4. Sore Throat, Tonsillitis, Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
5. Cough:
i. Spasmodic and Whooping cough, Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Cough and Bronchitis, Ribwort Plantain,  ... available in PRO version
iii. Bronchitis, Tuberculosis, Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
iv. Chronic Cough with excess Phlegm, Ribwort Plantain,  ... available in PRO version
v. Chronic Catarrh of the Lungs,  ... available in PRO version
6. Tuberculosis, Plantain,  ... available in PRO version

Urinary, Incontinence:
7. Incontinence, Bedwetting:
i. Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
iii. Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
8. Bladder and Kidney Ulcers, Plantain leaf and root with  ... available in PRO version

Gynecology, Obstetrics:
9. Excessive Menstruation:
i. Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
10. Bleeding during Pregnancy, Plantain with  ... available in PRO version

Trauma, Bruising:
11. Vulnerary (Bruising, Trauma):
i. Plantain,  ... available in PRO version
ii. Plantain,  ... available in PRO version
iii. Plantain,  ... available in PRO version
iv. Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
v. Plantain with  ... available in PRO version

Other:
12. Anxiety, Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
13. Snake bite, take equal parts of the juices of Plantain and  ... available in PRO version
14. Hernia, Plantain with.  ... available in PRO version

External:
15. Eczema and Pruritus and other skin complaints, combine Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
16. Black spots on the Body, apply Plantain juice mixed with  ... available in PRO version
17. Lupus, Plantain (1 handful),  ... available in PRO version
18. Pustules on the body, mix Plantain juice with  ... available in PRO version
19. Hemorrhoids, Plantain,  ... available in PRO version
20 Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
21. As a gargle for Sore Throat:
i. Plantain,  ... available in PRO version
ii. Plantain,  ... available in PRO version
22. Cancer of the Mouth, combine Plantain juice with  ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas:
Decoction of Timaei (modified)
Decoction for Excessive Menstruation
Decoction to Cool the Blood (Wirtzung)
Decoction of Hemp Seed
Decoction for Hernia
Vulnerary Decoction
Syrup of Plantain and Comfrey (Boyles Syrup)
Syrup of Comfrey Compound
Wine for Incontinence
Powder for Bleeding During Pregnancy
Powder for Diabetes (Riverius)
Powder Against Rabies
Ointment for Congealed Blood
Eye Drops (Riverius)

Cautions:
Generally Safe. Use cautiously in cold and weakness of the digestion

Main Preparations used:
Dehydrated Juice, Distilled Water of the whole Plant, Syrup of the Juice

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