The king of the ways
As "king of the paths" ("rich" is derived from the Old High German "rih" for "king"), the plantain reigns over a far-flung kingdom of meadow, path and field edges.
But it is also known as the "mother of all medicinal plants". Because the plantain comes along modestly, but can do a lot. Numerous healing, anti-inflammatory and immunostabilizing active substances have been proven in scientific studies, confirming what our ancestors already knew about 2000 years ago.
And so, over the centuries, it made a good name for itself as a medicinal herb, which is why it is also called medicinal plantain or wound plantain. Father Kneipp wrote: "As with golden threads, the plantain sap sews up the gaping crack, and as rust never settles on gold, so all rot and putrid flesh flees the ribwort". If, for example, you are injured during a hike, stung by an insect or burned by stinging nettles, it helps to squeeze a few fresh ribwort leaves and dab the juice on the affected skin area.
The many effects of the plantain:
- Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory (due to iridoids and flavonoids).
- Anti-irritant and skin-protective (mucilages)
- Astringent and promotes wound healing (tannins)
- Decongestant
- Immunostabilizing
- Antipyretic
- It has already proven effective even for stubborn, stuck coughs, bronchitis and asthma
- Against eye inflammation
- Bladder infections
- Persistent diarrhea
- Itchy skin allergies
- Oily, blemished skin
- Neurodermatitis
- In addition, the plantain is one of the few plants that stimulate the production of interferon. These proteins strengthen the defenses and thus also help against viruses in the airways. "Ribwort plantain bursts the "inner iron rings" that we put ourselves around the lungs and allows us to breathe more freely again" (Wolfgang Schröder Meisterkräuter-Therapie).
Its application possibilities are as diverse as its effect:
- Internal use:
Leaves and roots can be used fresh as a salad addition or cooked as a
Wild vegetables can be consumed. Fresh or dried as a condiment in vinegar, oil or wine, as oxymel,
Cold extract, tea or tincture. - External use:
Fresh or dried as a wash, plant poultice, as a tincture, gel or healing ointmentThe simplest, but no less effective application is the tea. The abundant mucilage soothes cough irritation and helps with and anti-inflammatory. The silicic acid strengthens the lung tissue.
Tea preparation:
Either 2 tablespoons fresh ribwort leaves or 1 tablespoon dried leaves
- for dry irritating cough pour 1 cup of lukewarm water,
Cover and steep for 1 - 2 hours and drink in sips - for bronchitis pour 1 cup of boiling water, cover and infuse for 10 minutes and then enjoy
If the tea has already cooled down a bit, a spoonful of honey also tastes quite good in it, but for this it should be lukewarm, otherwise the honey loses its good active ingredients.
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