Page 285 - Lost Book Remedies
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The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies
Water Plantain, Medicinal Use: Most of water plantain is used me-
dicinally, including the fresh and dried roots, leaves,
Alisma subcordatum and seeds.
The easiest way to use it is to eat it as part of a daily
Southern water plantain grows in swamps, wetlands, diet. Make sure it is thoroughly cooked before use.
lakes, marshes, and coastal areas. It is also known as
Alisma lantago-aquatica var. parviflorum. It is in the
Alismataceae (Water Plantain) Family. It grows in
eastern North America.
Identification: Water plantain grows from 1 to 3
feet (0.3m to 0.9m). The broad leaves may float on the
water surface but are often submerged. The leaves are Bff, Creative Commons by SA 3.0
widest at or near the middle and taper at the ends. Un-
derwater leaves are often long, and ribbon-like.
The flowers are highly branched with whorls of white
or pink to pink-purple flowers. Flowers have three pet-
als and six stamens, and many carpels. Each carpel has
one ovule and style. Flowers bloom all summer and Diuretic, Kidney Stones, and Cystitis: Dried
seeds ripen from July to September. water plantain root is a diuretic and helps the body
get rid of excess water (edema). The leaves treat cysti-
tis (bladder infection) and kidney stones.
Powdered Water Plantain Seed for Bleed-
ing: Dried and powdered water plantain seed is a good
astringent and helps control bleeding. Apply it directly
to the wound to disinfect the area and stop bleeding.
Digestive Ailments: Water plantain is a good
source of dietary fiber (cook it well!). It also treats di-
gestive issues such as cramps, stomach flu, bloating,
and heartburn.
Lowers Cholesterol and Blood Pressure:
Water plantain lowers blood pressure and cholesterol
levels. It is heart healthy.
Poultice for Bruising and Swelling: Water
plantain contains anti-inflammatories that work to re-
Christian Fischer, CC by SA 3.0 Unported
duce swelling and bruising. It is also a rubefacient.
Edible Use: Boil the leaves and petioles of water Crush the fresh leaves and use them as a poultice.
plantain to eat. The leaves and root are toxic raw, but Cover it with a clean cloth and replace as needed.
the poisons are destroyed by heat and drying. Cook
them for a long time to make sure all toxins are de- Harvesting: Harvest the roots in winter and boil for
stroyed. immediate use, or dry them for the future. Harvest
leaves in spring and summer.
The cooked roots are salty and rich in starch. They are
a good starch source in the winter when wild food sup- Warning: Water plantain can cause skin irritation in
plies are low. some people. While water plantain is considered safe,
it can irritate the digestive tract with long-term use.
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