Wonderful Weeds that Work for You.

Typically our response to the weeds that defy all efforts and continuously pop up in our garden is one of irritation and despair.  A strong desire to eliminate the weeds by any means necessary often follows. But would you have a different reaction and response to them if you knew that the very medicine that you may need is quite often right within in your reach, in the form of commonly known and found weeds.
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Yellow Dock, Dandelion, Chickweed and Ribwort are just a few readily available plants that can powerfully support you with their nutrient and healing qualities.

​We will focus on one plant for each entry, and given that we are currently facing a health crisis that affects the lungs, aka the Year of the COVID19 virus, we will begin with Ribwort/Plantain, quite commonly known as Narrow leafed and Broad leafed plantain.
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Ribwort/Plantain (Plantago spp. = Plantago lanceolata and Plantago major) is a perennial herb, meaning it is a persistent herb in your garden, living for more than two years, although the Broad leafed Plantain is only a short lived perennial so you are less likely to find this one. Plantains are native to Europe but have naturalised everywhere, they can be commonly found in most open areas, including the cracks in your foot paths. 
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While these two plants are somewhat identical in their actions Plantago lanceolata (seen above centre and to the right) is more suited to healing conditions relating to the respiratory system, including infectious and allergic ailments, and Plantago major (seen above left) has an affinity for intestinal and urinary ailments. 

In the respiratory system Ribwort (Plantago lanceolata) is specifically useful where there is mucous and inflammation.
It contains:

• Silica, zinc and high levels of potassium
• Some of its active constituents include Iridoids, Phenylethanoids and Flavonoids such as acubin, acteoside and luteolin 

These active constituents have anti-cancer and anti-tumoral actions. For these reasons it has been traditionally used to treat cancer.

Ribwort helps to reduce and clear mucous, reduce inflammation in the delicate tissues of the respiratory system, all the way from the nose and throat down into the lower portion of the lung. Due to its mucilage content it is soothing and extremely powerful in its ability to affect catarrh.
It can be helpful for respiratory conditions such as:

• Chronic sinusitis
• All types of catarrh including in the upper, lower portions and sinus cavity
• Asthma
• Chronic bronchitis
• Bronchiectasis
• Cough
• It also can be used externally to treat skin inflammation (Fisher, 2009, pp. 193-4).

Rat tailed Plantain (Plantago major) has similar active constituents to Ribwort, it contains:

• B-carotene, Vitamin C and K, calcium, potassium sulphur
• It has a high content of trace minerals

It is useful for treating ailments of the digestive and urinary system such as:

• Cystitis
• Prostatitis
• Calculus  
• Haematuria
• Hemorrhoid

Its actions include as an: 

• Antibacterial, including against E. Coli, Staph aureus and Salmonella 
• Antiprotozoal activity against Giardia duodenalis
• Anti-inflammatory
• Diuretic
• Antihaemorrhagic

The leaf of Rat tailed Plantain can be crushed and applied locally to wounds, including slow healing wounds, conjunctivitis and blepharitis as an eye wash, haemorrhoids, oral inflammation and mouth ulcers as a mouth wash (Fisher, 2009, pp. 194-5) and as a strong nutritive can be made into a daily tonic in a variety of ways.

So isn't it incredible that such a humble, evergreen and persistent weed is in fact a powerful medicine sitting in your backyard soaking up the sun and working diligently to grow to its full potential so that it may be of service to you.
There are many quick and simple ways you can make use of this beautiful herb, the following gives you some effective applications of Plantago spp.

Please note that when choosing your plant material make CERTAIN that it comes from a spray free area. All herbicides and insecticide sprays such as Glyphosphate are poisonous for your health.

• Infusion: Finely chop 1-2 teaspoons of the washed herb, place in a cup or single cup coffee plunger, pour filtered, boiled water over the plant material, cover, leave to steep for 10 mins, then strain. Add a little honey to sweeten if desired. ACUTE conditions: Take 1/2 cup every half hour for up to 10 times per day. CHRONIC conditions: 1 cup, three times per day for up to 6 weeks. 
• Tonic: Make an infusion and take 1 cup twice daily OR add a handful of washed leaves to your daily smoothie or make into a juice by adding to a blend of fruit and vegetables for a super nutrient boosted fresh juice.
• Used in a poultice: Take a large handful of freshly picked and washed leaves, blend with a little water and castor or olive oil to make a paste, it does not need to be super smooth, just well blended/chopped. Spread a little oil on the affected area and then place on the blended plant material (never place on an open wound), gently wrap with wax wrap, gauze or plastic wrap to keep in place, don't wrap too tight but enough to stop it from oozing out and making a mess. Rest the area, leave for between 10 mins to 4 hours. Occasionally observe the surrounding area to ensure that it doesn't become irritated.
• Taken as a stronger and more specific measured medicine in a Fluid Extract blend. Contact me for further information.

References.
Fisher C (2009) Materia Medica of Western Herbs.  Nelson. NZ.