Greater plantain grows in damp places, along the roads, rivers and anyplace where water flows. Leaves of female greater plantain are broad egg-shaped, shiny and thick and therefore it is also called broad-leaved.
In all plant organs there is heteroside aucuboside and enzyme invertase, emulsine, tyrosinose and coagulase. Leaves contain around 4% tannins, pectin, lemon acid, vitamin C, saponozids and phytoncides.
Greater plantain leaf is effective against various infections of skin and mucous membrane as well as wounds that bleed. Greater plantain leaf is excellent remedy for treatment of respiratory organs as it increases secretion of liquid inside the lungs, thus alleviating discharge of thick mucus from respiratory organs.
Alone or combined with other teas, it has favorable effect against diarrhea, catarrh, colic, and hemorrhage inside the stomach as well as duodenal ulcer.
For these purposes, mixtures of greater plantain and equal amounts of chamomile, yarrow and st. john’s wort are the most efficient.
Warm tea, prepared by steeping the dry mixture in hot water, is consumed three times a day, one cup before every meal.