Names: Greater Plantain Habitat: A common "weed" in Britain and
many other parts of theworld. Collection: Gather during
flowering throughout the summer. Dry as fastas possible as the
leaves will discolour if dried improperly. Part Used: Leaves or
aerial parts Constituents: * Iridoids; aucubin,
3,4-dihydroaucubin,6'-O-[[beta]]-glucosylaucubin, catalpol *
Flavonoids; apigenin, lutelin, scutellarin, baicalein, nepetin,
hispidulin, * Miscellaneous; tannin, oleanolic acid, plant acids
such as chlorogenic, neochlorogenic, fumaric, hydroxycinnamic
and benzoic acids and theiresters. Actions: Vulnerary,
expectorant, demulcent, anti-inflammatory,astringent, diuretic,
anti-microbial Indications: Both the Greater Plantain and its
close relative RibwortPlantain have valuable healing properties.
It acts as a gentle expectorantwhilst also soothing inflamed and
sore membranes, making it ideal forcoughs and mild bronchitis.
Its astringency aids indiarrhoea, haemorrhoids and also in
cystitis where thereis bleeding. Ellingwood