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Plantain Seed for Health
Plantain seed contains mucilage in its outer epidermis, and swells when it gets wet. This property makes these seeds a natural candidate for the control of cholesterol levels. Along these lines, Plantain has been shown by scientists in Italy, Russia and other countries to reduce the intestinal absorption of lipids and cholesterol. The consensus of opinion today is that the Plantain seeds and leaves act by reducing the intestinal absorption of bile acids. Cholesterol levels may also be lowered in persons that use this herb as an appetite suppressant.
Action: To remove heat , to cause diuresis and eliminate damp, to relieve dysuria, to clear the eye, and to promote expectoration.
Indications: Edema; dysuria with difficult painful urination; diarrhea caused by sum-mer-damp; inflammation of the eye; cough caused by phlegm-heat.
The herb is astringent, antitoxic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, as well as demulcent, expectorant and diuretic. Externally, a poultice of the leaves is useful for insect bites, poison ivy rashes, minor sores. In folklore it is even claimed to be able to cure snakebite (but at least for actually dangerous snakebites this is certainly untrue). Internally, it is used for coughs and broncitis, as a tea, tincture, or syrup. The broad-leaved varieties are sometimes used as a leaf vegetable for salads, green sauce, et cetera.
Plantain seed husks expand and become mucilaginous when wet, especially those of P. psyllium, which is used in common over-the-counter bulk laxative and fiber supplement products such as Metamucil. P. psyllium seed is useful for constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, dietary fiber supplementation, and diverticular disease. Recent research is also showing it to be promising in lowering cholesterol and controlling diabetes.
Comment made on this article doesn't stand for the position of TCMADVISORY.
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