Plantago Herba, Plantain Herb, Che Qian Cao 车前草

Arnoglossum
Che Qian Cao (TCM)
Left: P. major; Right: P. minor (P. lanceolata)
Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

     Red Plantain (variety)                                                     Greater Plantain       
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

Left: Greater Plantain; Middle: Ribwort Plantain; Right: Buck's-Horn Plantain
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

     Greater Plantain                                                                                                Ribwort Plantain
Parkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640
P. major
Flora von Deutschland (20), Kohler, 1885

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

P. asciatica
Illustrations Of Indian Botany, Vol. II, Wight, 1850
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
cleanses, thickens

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 (Herb, Seed; TCM, West):
-heat-type coughs with thick yellow phlegm, dry cough

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

3. Clears Heat, Stops Bleeding:
-spitting of blood, bloody Urine, and excessive Menstruation (TCM, TWM)

4. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine (Herb, Seed; TCM, West):
-Edema, Cystitis, Incontinence, Hematuria

5. Externally:
-externally, applied to fresh Wounds and Ulcers
-poultice of the leaves is good for heat-type pain and inflammation; Dermatitis, Eczema etc.
-a strong decoction as a wash stops all types of Itching
-Chronic and Hard-to-heal Sores and Ulcers including Old, Foul or Varicose Ulcers
-‘all malignant and Leprous running and filthy Ulcers’ (Dioscorides)
-Tumors and Cancers, including those of the breast
-stops Pain of the Teeth

Main Combinations:
Comfrey & Plantain

1. To clear Heat and cool the Blood, Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
2. For heat-type Bleeding:
i. Plantain with ... available in PRO version
ii. Plantain with ... available in PRO version
iii. Plantain  ... 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 with  ... available in PRO version
4. Excessive Menstruation:
i. Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Plantain seed with  ... available in PRO version
5. Spasmodic and Whooping cough, Plantain ... available in PRO version
6. Sore Throat, Tonsillitis, Plantain with ... available in PRO version
7. Cough and Bronchitis, Plantain , ... available in PRO version
8. Chronic Cough with excess Phlegm, Plantain ... available in PRO version
9. Incontinence, Bedwetting:
i. Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
iii. Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
10. Diabetes, excess Urination, Plantain with ... available in PRO version
11. Bleeding during Pregnancy, Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
12. Threatened Miscarriage, Plantain with  ... available in PRO version
13. To promote Labor, Plantain ... available in PRO version
14. Snake bite, Plantain ... available in PRO version
15. Cancer of the Mouth, combine Plantain juice  ... available in PRO version
16. Black spots on the Body, apply Plantain juice ... available in PRO version
17. Pustules on the body, mix Plantain juice ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas:
Decoction of Timaei (modified)
Vulnerary Decoction
Syrup of Plantain and Comfrey (Boyles Syrup)
Syrup of Comfrey Compound
Powder for Diabetes (Riverius)
Powder for Bleeding During Pregnancy


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