Common or Broad-Leaved Plantain.

(Plantago Major.)

Also see Hool, 1918: Plantain.

Flowers from June to August.

Properties: Emollient, astringent, diuretic, aperient.

Useful for thrush or frog, also for affections of kidneys, Bright's disease, ulceration and inflammation of kidneys, and inflammation of bladder.

The whole plant can be used (roots, stems, leaves, and seeds), either in syrup, infusion, decoction, or fluid or solid extract. It can be ground up and made into pills and taken in that way.

Dose: Of infusion or decoction, a teacupful every 2 or 3 hours, either day or night, according to requirements of case. If children suffer from frog or thrush, from 1 week old to 3 years—dose, 1 tablespoonful every 2 or 3 hours.

For children, make the decoction, and take 1 oz. of seeds and simmer or boil in 3 gills of water down to 2 gills; strain; then it is ready for use.

It can be sweetened with a little treacle, West India molasses, sugar, or honey. It clears the frog or thrush better than any other known remedy—safe and sure in its action, and never fails.

Common Plants and their Uses in Medicine was written by Richard Lawrence Hool, F.N.A.M.H., in 1922.