Plantain Leaf C/S (Plantago lanceolata) 1 lb: K

This is Frontier's nitrogen-flushed double wall silverfoil pack. Some Frontier packs are double wall wax-lined paper. Used as an infusion, decoction, extract, tincture, poultice and ointment. Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata are closely related, have similar chemistries, and are often taken to be the same plant. As Grieve puts it: 'Several of the wild Plantains have been used indiscriminately for Plantago major. Of these, the most important is Plantago lanceolatus (Linn.), the Ribwort Plantain.' Their chemistries are so similar that they are used and discussed interchangeably by both the old herbalists and the more scientifically rigorous modern herbalists. Plantain should not be confused with the banana-like vegetable of the same name. The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Plantain herb for 'Internal: Catarrhs of the respiratory tract, inflammatory alterations of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa. External: Inflammatory reactions of the skin.' 'Average daily dosage: 3 - 6 g of herb; equivalent preparations. Mode of Administration: Comminuted herb and other galenical preparations for internal and external use. Actions: Astringent; Antibacterial.' Human studies have found positive results in the treatment of chronic bronchitis with plantain. This gentle expectorant soothes inflamed and sore mucous membranes. Plaintain is very helpful with coughs and mild bronchitis. Its astringency aids in diarrhoea, haemorrhoids and cystitis. Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Refrigerant, diuretic, deobstruent and somewhat astringent. Has been used in inflammation of the skin, malignant ulcers, intermittent fever, etc., and as a vulnerary, and externally as a stimulant application to sores. Applied to a bleeding surface, the leaves are of some value in arresting haemorrhage, but they are useless in internal haemorrhage, although they were formerly used for bleeding of the lungs and stomach, consumption and dysentery.' 'The fresh leaves are applied whole or bruised in the form of a poultice. Rubbed on parts of the body stung by insects, nettles, etc., or as an application to burns and scalds, the leaves will afford relief and will stay the bleeding of minor wounds.' 'Fluid extract: dose, ½ to 1 drachm.' 'A decoction of Plantain was considered good in disorders of the kidneys, and the root, powdered, in complaints of the bowels. The expressed juice was recommended for spitting of blood and piles. Boyle recommends an electuary made of fresh Comfrey roots, juice of Plantain and sugar as very efficacious in spitting of blood. Plantain juice mixed with lemon juice was judged an excellent diuretic. The powdered dried leaves, taken in drink, were thought to destroy worms.' 'To prepare a plain infusion, still recommended in herbal medicine for diarrhoea and piles, pour 1 pint of boiling water on 1 oz. of the herb, stand in a warm place for 20 m