RIBWORT PLANTAIN

                                                                                                    Plantago lanceolata

Ribwort is high in calcium, sodium, cobalt & copper & lower in magnesium, potassium & phosphate. 
It is high in fiber, rich in B complex vitamins, vitamins A, C & K & has antibacterial & anti-inflammatory properties as well.

Ribwort makes an effective treatment for wound bleeding.
It contains epidermal growth factor, stimulating the repair of damaged tissue. 
Leaves extract has antibacterial properties. 
Plantain root is useful in cases of rattlesnake bite. 
Seeds, having a high mucilage content, are a good remedy against parasitic worms. 
Supports lung & respiratory function,promotes healthy breathing,soothes mucus tissue such as the throat, bronchial & respiratory tract,supports kidney & bladder health.
It has healing effect in bad coughs & in shaking chills. 
In the Middle Ages it was used to treat burns, ulcers, inflammation of the eyes & nose & dog bites.
Its antibiotic action makes it effective in febrile disorders of the lungs & bronchi.
Its use as cough remedy was so proverbial that, in Germany, the expression "Ribwort Plantain juice" was until recently synonymous with cough mixtures in general. 
Internally, they are used in the treatment of a wide range of complaints including diarrhoea, gastritis, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhage, haemorrhoids, cystitis, bronchitis, catarrh, sinusitis, asthma & hay fever. 
They are used externally in treating skin inflammations, malignant ulcers, cuts, stings etc.
Plantain seeds contain up to 30% mucilage which swells up in the gut, acting as a bulk laxative & soothing irritated membranes. 
Sometimes the seed husks are used without the seeds.
Crushed, freshly picked leaves are placed directly on fresh wounds. 
Application of crushed ribwort plantain leaves to insect bites relieve the itching & swelling. 
When you are out walking, you can just pick an emergency plaster from the meadow.
Plantain is super antiseptic.
Plantain has a positive effect on chronic inflammation of the colon.
Ribwort can be used when a person is giving up smoking.
Useful remedy for cough irritations & hoarseness & for gastritis & enteritis.  
Good for all respiratory problems, bronchitis, asthma, especially those involving mucous congestion.  
Used for diarrhea, nosebleed, kidney & bladder trouble, jaundice, headache, infections, hepatitis, spermatorrhea, loss of sexual power, promotes fertility, bedwetting, sciatica, tuberculosis, syphilis, snakebites, worms, toothache, dropsy, prevent blood poisoning, excessive menses & inflamed eyes. 
Externally, the fresh leaves are crushed for application to erysipelas, eczema, burns, ringworms, tetters, shingles, scalds, wounds, running sores, ulcers, boils, tumors even hemorrhoids.  
Widely used as a laxative & combats inflammation.

A decoction of the dried leaves promotes the coagulation of  blood. 
Externally, decoction obtained from the leaves is used in cases of skin inflammations, cuts, stings & malignant ulcers.

Distilled water made from the plant makes an excellent eye lotion.

Plantain tea has a positive effect on reducing the discomforts of hay fever.
Plantain tea is also good for coughs & colds. 
Plantain tea is an excellent remedy for cleansing & removing toxins from your blood.
Tea made from the seed is helpful in treatment of diarrhea, dysentery & bleedings of mucous membranes.
Ribwort plantain taken as tea is a great option to help strengthen weak lungs. 

To help ease the discomforts of a headache soak a piece of cloth in plantain tea. Place the cloth on your forehead & relax.

The heated leaves are used as a wet dressing for wounds, swellings etc. 

In folk medicine the juice is used for blood cleansing cures in the spring, diluted with chamomile tea it is used for the treatment of poorly healing wounds.
The fresh juice, pressed from the whole plant, is helpful for chronic catarrhal problems, hay fever, allergic rhinitis, gastro-intestinal ailments & worms.

This herb is a powerful remedy to reduce pains caused by poison ivy & bite stings.

Take a couple plantain leaves & chew them to make a “paste”. 
Place the crushed leaves on the area that stings. This works almost like a miracle. The unbearable stinging pain will be reduced to a slight tickling more or less immediately.
You can also just crush the leaves & place them on the wounded area of the skin.

If you live in a cold climate you can freeze the leaves for easy access during the winter months. 
You can also use dried leaves if that is more convenient.

PRECAUTIONS:

People who are using any kind of insulin need to know that plantain seeds can lower blood sugar & should avoid plantain. 

Pregnant & breastfeeding women should always consult their doctor before taking any kind of herbal remedy.

Plantago lanceolata

RECIPES:

Poultice: Fresh leaves of Ribwort or Common Plantain are washed & crushed on a wooden board with a wooden rolling pin & applied.

Syrup:2 heaped double handfuls of washed leaves are put through a mincer. 
To this add water so it does not burn, 300 g of raw sugar & 250 g of honey. 
Stir constantly on a low heat until this mixture is thick-flowing & bottle.
Keep in refrigerator.

Infusion: steep 1 tbsp leaves in 1/2 cup water for 5 minutes.  
Take 1 cup a day.
Infusions from flowers, leaves or plants can be made into tea using boiling water.
Infusions from the roots, wood or bark should be added to cold water & left to soak for 12 hours. 
The infusion is then slowly heated for approx. 10 minutes, then strained.

Decoction: boil 60 g dried leaves in 500 ml water.  
Helps coagulate blood.

Juice: take 1 tbsp in water or milk or mixed with 1 tbsp honey, 3 times a day.

Ointment:boil 60 g of the plant in 500 ml olive- or peanut oil.
For hemorrhoids.

Tea:

Pour 1 cup of boiling water over ½ to 1 tsp of herb. 
Allow to steep 4-7 minutes, then strain. 
Drink 1- 2 cups of tea daily. 
If desired, add honey &/or lemon to taste. 

The seed can be ground into a powder & added to flours when making bread,or cakes etc. 

Ribwort Syrup:

Pack a 1 liter jar tightly with a layer of fresh ribwort leaves.
Pour in enough honey to cover this layer completely.
Press another layer of leaves on top & again cover with honey.
Repeat the procedure until the jar is full.
Let the jar stand overnight.
Cover the jar with several layers of parchment paper & wrap the neck tightly with wire.
Place jar into evenly warm dark place for 3 months.
Press the syrup from the leaves  & pour into bottles.
Close tight & store in a coo place.
The slow fermentation process preserves the syrup.
Excellent for children.

Ribwort Soup:

4 tbsp butter
1-2 tbsp flour
2 cups milk
2 cups vegetable stock
salt
1 cup chopped ribwort
1 tbsp chopped parsley
juice of half lemon

Slowly melt the butter,whisk in the flour & stir until it bubbles.
Stirring constantly,carefully add the milk & vegetable stock.
Season.
Add the ribwort & parsley & simmer until soup thickens.
Remove the soup from the heat,stir in the lemon juice & serve with crusty loaf. 

Ribwort Omelet:

1 small onion, finely chopped
2 eggs, beaten
1 handful of young ribwort leaves
chopped parsley
lemon juice or fresh lemon peel,grated
salt & freshly ground black pepper
oil or butter, for frying
Remove any fibrous ribs from the ribwort leaves & trim off the stem bases.
Wash well, drain, chop finely, season with salt & set aside.
Heat oil or butter in a non-stick frying pan.
Add the onion & fry gently until soft & beginning to color lightly.
Stir the chopped ribwort leaves into the beaten eggs.
Season to taste.
Add parsley & lemon.
Pour the mixture into the frying pan with the eggs & whisk with a fork until the egg begin to set.
Cook until the base is golden brown then flip the omelet over & cook on the other side.
Serve hot.
This is a modern British recipe for a classic dish of an egg omelet containing onion & ribwort leaves in the mix.

Chicken with Ribwort(Plantain):

1 chicken breast
plain flour
butter or oil
1-2 bacon rashers,chopped
1 small onion sliced
1 handful young ribwort / plantain leaves
pinch of thyme
1 bay leaf
2 cloves
1 glass white wine
salt & pepper
Chop off the stringy stalks.
Slice the leaves.
Drop into boiling water & cook for 3-4 min.
Drain the leaves & refresh with cold water.
Set aside.
Dust the chicken with flour & set aside.
Fry the bacon in butter until cooked.
Remove bacon from pan & set aside.
Fry the chicken in the residual fat & brown all over & set aside.
Gently fry the onion in the same pan until softened then add fried bacon.
Stir in the wine,herbs,cloves,seasoning & the chicken.
Allow to just come to the boil then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer & cover.
Cook for about 15 min then drain the ribwort leaves & add to the pan.
Stir & cook for about another 10 min.
Serve with potatoes or rice.

Ribwort Cough Syrup from:
The Cherry Farm

MAGIC:

In Ancient China plantain was a valued plant. It was a symbol of fertility because of the large amount of seeds on the stock.
People would gather plantain believing this would help encourage a pregnancy & the birth of a healthy child.

Ribwort marriage divination:
On midsummer day eve or when moon is full uproot the ribwort & then place it beneath a flat stone.
Leave it there for all night & then carefully examine the root in the  morning.
If you are destined to  wed in next 12 months,the initials of your future husband or wife will be found upon the plants root.

Take 3 straws of blossomed ribwort & place into your shoe.If in the morning they are found blossom again,your love is true.