Plantain herb (in English plantain – plantago) is considered one of the perennial and widespread herbs, some may not pay attention to it or are ignorant of its health benefits, but this herb has many benefits and uses, let’s get acquainted with this herb and its uses and benefits, follow this article with us.

What is plantain?

This herb is one of the very famous herbs and it always decorates gardens, playgrounds and rockeries, but many people may consider it a herbal pest that is spread in gardens and agricultural lands, but on the contrary.

There are many and varied types of this plant, such as the African plantain, the oval plantain, and the Chinese plantain. The main habitat of this herb is Europe and Asia, and it has green oval and large leaves and has long-shaped flowers, in addition to seeds.

The leaves and seeds of this herb are edible and have been used in alternative medicine for centuries to treat certain conditions due to the health benefits they contain.

Health benefits of plantain

There are some studies that indicate the existence of health benefits for this herb and plantain seeds, and the most famous of these benefits:

Reduce inflammation

Studies show that plantain can help reduce inflammation, because the leaves of this plant contain compounds that act as anti-inflammatory, such as flavonoids.

Promote wound healing

This herb supports rapid wound healing by helping to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and limit microbial growth. This is according to some studies stating that applying this herb with aloe vera gel and using them topically helps heal wounds and support the repair of injured body tissues.

Improve digestion

There are some compounds present in the leaves and seeds of this plant that help relieve digestive problems, as the seeds of this herb contain psyllium, which is a type of fiber that is a natural laxative that helps absorb water during its movement within the digestive system in the event of exposure. to the problem of constipation.

There are also medical reviews that say that its leaves slow down the movement of the digestive system, and this helps to enhance the regularity of bowel movement and treat the problem of diarrhea.

There are studies indicating the importance of this plant for the treatment of stomach ulcers, as well as inflammation of the intestines that expose you to stomach pain, a feeling of bloating, and diarrhea.

Other benefits

• Dermatitis treatment.
• Cough treatment.
• Urinary tract infection treatment.

Important notice: These benefits were the result of some preliminary studies and need more research and experiments to prove them, and for this reason these results are still being researched, so be careful and do not use them without medical advice and do not overuse them.

Ways to use plantain

Healthy people and adults can eat plantain leaves, either in raw or cooked form, as this is safe and healthy, and it is also possible to use its seeds, and nutritional supplements containing plantain can be available.

It is necessary to consult a doctor in the event of taking or using supplements of this plant, and not to use them without this advice, as well as in the case of using seeds and leaves, especially if you suffer from a specific health problem or chronic disease.

Plantain damage

There are some possible side effects from the use of plantain, especially dietary supplements of this herb. It may cause:

• vomiting.
• Nausea.
• bloating
• diarrhea.
• Allergic reactions.

And in the event that high doses of these supplements are taken, the side effects may increase in severity, and the matter deteriorates to the occurrence of:

• Exessive sensitivity.
• Severe allergic reactions.
• life-threatening complications.

Supplements derived from the seeds of this plant, known as fiber supplements, such as psyllium, may cause some problems as well, including digestive issues, such as:

• bloating
• Feeling of uncomfortable fullness.
• Gases.

warning:

You must start with low doses when eating this plant or using its nutritional supplements, and increase the dose slowly, and if you feel any side effect, you must stop using it immediately, and review the specialist doctor. In addition to avoiding its use during pregnancy and lactation.