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Plantain Leaf Herbal Powder (Plantago major)

Soothing anti-inflammatory & wound healer for Lungs, GI, and urinary tract. Anti-microbial.
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Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Soothing anti-inflammatory & wound healer for Lungs, GI, and urinary tract. Anti-microbial that clears infections of the lungs, GI, and urinary tract. As an astringent, it stops diarrhea and bleeding from wounds.

"Among all remedies that arrest bleeding, clear heat and heal ulcers, Plantain is foremost, or hardly surpassed at all. This is because it dries with biting or sharpness, and clears heat without causing heaviness or stupefaction." - Galen (Source: Holmes)

Plantain is a lymphatic decongestant for stagnant blood.

Lance leaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata) is more effective for respirator, infectious, and allergic conditions. Round leaf plantain (Plantago major) is preferred for intestinal and urinary conditions.

Make sure the leaf is fresh because the dried leaf has very little medicinal value. Or, consume as a tincture.

Images of Plantain Leaf

Ayurveda Plantain Leaf Whole Plant Large

Ayurveda Plantain Leaf Leaf Large

Metabolic Nature of Plantain Leaf

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

Find Out More

COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

GOOEY

ABOUT GOOEY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Gooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GOOEY

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

Find Out More

ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

SALTY

ABOUT SALTY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Salty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SALTY

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot and oily with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body. Vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Other

Affinity:
Respiratory Health
Family:
Plantaginaceae

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Plantain Leaf
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Cleanse & Detox:
Internal Detoxicant

STRONG INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Skin Care & Beauty:
Soothing

SOOTHING

Calms and alleviates irritation, discomfort or pain in a particular region.

SEE ALL 'SOOTHING' FOODS / HERBS

,
Vulnerary

STRONG VULNERARY

An herb used for the treatment of wounds (antiulcer, connective tissue tonic).

SEE ALL 'VULNERARY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antipruritic

ANTIPRURITIC

Antipruritics are herbs that inhibit itching, often associated with skin conditions such as sunburns, allergic reactions, eczema, psoriasis, chickenpox, fungal infections, insect bites, or contact dermatitis (as in poison ivy rashes).

SEE ALL 'ANTIPRURITIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Demulcent

DEMULCENT

Herbs that coat or form a soothing film over a mucous membrane, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane.

SEE ALL 'DEMULCENT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Skin Tonic

SKIN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion.

SEE ALL 'SKIN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Respiratory-Health:
Antitussive

ANTITUSSIVE

Cough suppressant, particularly for dry coughs or a tickle in your throat.

SEE ALL 'ANTITUSSIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Decongestant

DECONGESTANT

An herb that reduces mucus production often by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes.

SEE ALL 'DECONGESTANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Expectorant

EXPECTORANT

Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.

SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Mucolytic

MUCOLYTIC

An herb that breaks apart mucus, liquefying the mucus.

SEE ALL 'MUCOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Immune System:
Antipyretic

STRONG ANTIPYRETIC

Reduces a fever / febrifuge.

SEE ALL 'ANTIPYRETIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antimicrobial

ANTIMICROBIAL

An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.

SEE ALL 'ANTIMICROBIAL' FOODS / HERBS

,
Immune Calming

IMMUNE-CALMING

Herbs that interrupt an allergic reaction or calm the immune system, useful in allergies and autoimmune conditions.

SEE ALL 'IMMUNE-CALMING' FOODS / HERBS

Heart & Circulation:
Hemostatic

HEMOSTATIC

An herb that stops bleeding.

SEE ALL 'HEMOSTATIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Styptic

STYPTIC

A herb that contracts tissue or blood vessels. Generally styptics are astringent. They are often used topically as a hemostatic to stop bleeding, or to reduce secretions.

SEE ALL 'STYPTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Other:
Constituents:

Foods with a Similar Nature to Plantain Leaf

  • Honey

    Honey has these Actions in Common

    Antitussive, Hemostatic, Vulnerary, Demulcent, Mucolytic, Antimicrobial, Expectorant, Styptic

    LEARN MORE

  • Cinnamon

    Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

    Expectorant, Mucolytic, Decongestant, Hemostatic, Styptic, Demulcent, Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial

    LEARN MORE

  • Thyme (fresh)

    Thyme (fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Expectorant, Mucolytic, Antimicrobial, Immune-calming, Vulnerary, Decongestant

    LEARN MORE

  • Sage

    Sage has these Actions in Common

    Antipyretic, Immune-calming, Vulnerary, Decongestant, Internal-detoxicant, Expectorant, Mucolytic

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric Root (Fresh)

    Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Internal-detoxicant, Antipruritic, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Immune-calming, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric

    Turmeric has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Immune-calming, Vulnerary, Antimicrobial, Internal-detoxicant, Antipruritic, Skin-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Pomegranate

    Pomegranate has these Actions in Common

    Styptic, Anti-inflammatory, Internal-detoxicant, Hemostatic, Skin-tonic, Immune-calming

    LEARN MORE

  • Aloe Vera Juice / Gel

    Aloe Vera Juice / Gel has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial, Skin-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Cayenne Pepper

    Cayenne Pepper has these Actions in Common

    Expectorant, Mucolytic, Anti-inflammatory, Hemostatic, Decongestant, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Cassava Root / Yuca

    Cassava Root / Yuca has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Expectorant, Antipyretic, Soothing

    LEARN MORE

  • Cilantro

    Cilantro has these Actions in Common

    Antipyretic, Internal-detoxicant, Hemostatic, Styptic, Anti-inflammatory, Immune-calming

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Plantain Leaf

  • Licorice Root (Yastimadhu)

    Licorice Root (Yastimadhu) has these Actions in Common

    Immune-calming, Mucolytic, Anti-inflammatory, Vulnerary, Antimicrobial, Antipruritic, Antitussive, Demulcent, Expectorant

    LEARN MORE

  • Licorice Ghee (9oz)

    Licorice Ghee (9oz) has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Expectorant, Immune-calming, Mucolytic, Anti-inflammatory, Vulnerary, Antimicrobial, Antipruritic, Antitussive

    LEARN MORE

  • Comfrey Root

    Comfrey Root has these Actions in Common

    Antitussive, Demulcent, Hemostatic, Skin-tonic, Soothing, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial

    LEARN MORE

  • Horsetail

    Horsetail has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Demulcent, Hemostatic, Immune-calming, Internal-detoxicant, Skin-tonic, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

  • Calendula, Marigold

    Calendula, Marigold has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Skin-tonic, Styptic, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antipyretic, Hemostatic

    LEARN MORE

  • Arjuna

    Arjuna has these Actions in Common

    Antipyretic, Decongestant, Expectorant, Hemostatic, Skin-tonic, Styptic, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Haritaki

    Haritaki has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Expectorant, Hemostatic, Immune-calming, Internal-detoxicant, Styptic, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Goldenseal

    Goldenseal has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Mucolytic, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antipyretic, Decongestant, Hemostatic

    LEARN MORE

  • Yarrow

    Yarrow has these Actions in Common

    Hemostatic, Immune-calming, Internal-detoxicant, Styptic, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antipyretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Lungwort Lichen Thallus

    Lungwort Lichen Thallus has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Antipyretic, Antitussive, Decongestant, Demulcent, Mucolytic, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

See guidelines for herbs?
Follow these guidelines

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Plantain Leaf may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Plantain Leaf may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Plantain Leaf. Please see your health care provider for more information.

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