Plantain flea is a low-growing plant from the Plantain family. It is also called a flea. The climate of Russia is not suitable for the natural growth of culture. Feels good in the Poltava and Sumy regions of Ukraine. Grow prefers dry slopes.
Despite its inconspicuous appearance, the absence of beautiful inflorescences, the plant is very useful for humans. In many countries, including Ukraine, it belongs to medicinal species. It is a pharmacopoeial type of SP XI. Plantain flea is worth studying in more detail.
Description of the plant
Culture looks ugly. It looks like green sticks with small flowers on top and sharp leaves sticking out in all directions. With herself, she drowns out other cultures and does not arouse admiration among gardeners.
The height of the plantain grass is ten to forty centimeters. The stem is branched, its upper part is abundantly pubescent. The length of the sheet is about five centimeters, and the width is up to three centimeters. Its shape is linear, entire. There is pubescence on the leaf.
Rod root,there are few branches. The herb is used in herbal medicine.
Flower
Plantain flea stalks hold dense small heads made of small white flowers. At the top of the stem, they form something similar to the frame of an umbrella. Flowering occurs in June.
Fruit
After flowering, a fruit is formed in the plantain. Its size is three to five millimeters. The box is closed with a lid resembling a cone. It develops two seeds. It ripens in July-September, after which the seeds fall out of it. The time variation in ripening is associated with the length of the flowering and setting period.
Seeds
Description of psyllium psyllium seeds should be given special attention, since they are used in herbal medicine. Their color is dark brown, very dark. Seeds have a shiny, smooth, slippery surface. Their shape is navicular, elongated. The edges of the seeds are bent inward. This makes them convex on one side and slightly concave on the other. There is a scar in the middle of the concave part. He looks like a bright spot.
The average length of a seed is two millimeters, the width is one millimeter. Two thousand seeds usually weigh one gram.
They have neither taste nor smell. If you moisten the seed with water, it becomes slimy. This is due to the substance contained in the outer layer of its shell.
The seeds are harvested when they are fully ripe. Only those that are in the side branches are considered suitable. They shouldn't fall out of the box. unripe seedscan be dried and they will also be usable.
When collecting seeds on an industrial scale, they are packed in bags of thirty kilograms. The harvest is sent to pharmaceutical factories. What are the benefits of seeds, their husks and the grass itself?
Chemical composition of the plant
To understand the beneficial properties of the flea plantain, it is worth knowing what its seed consists of. It includes the following components:
- aucubin - iridium glycoside;
- protein (25%);
- butter (20%);
- beta-sitosterol;
- linoleic acid;
- mineral s alts;
- starch.
It is precisely because of the high content of starch that seeds become covered with mucus upon contact with water. In some, the starch content reaches 40%.
Procurement of medicinal raw materials
The grass is used in dry form and to obtain juice. You need to get it within a day, while the grass is fresh. The leaves are harvested when the plant is in full bloom. They dry under a canopy.
Seeds must be collected and dried. The weather should be clear and dry. If the slightest moisture gets on them, they will become slimy, it will be impossible to grind them. They are recommended to be laid out with a layer of no more than ten centimeters. The seeds need to be turned regularly. At least once a day. Good seeds after drying should have a brownish-red hue. Keeps their shine and smoothness.
Useful properties of the plant
BPhytotherapy applies grass, seeds. They are crushed or whole, taken for constipation. They act as a laxative due to their ability to swell and expand three to five times in size. This irritates the walls of the stomach and increases its peristalsis.
It was found that a decoction of grass and mucus from the seeds increase blood clotting. They are used for ulcers and bleeding of internal organs. A healing effect has been noted for bleeding hemorrhoids.
In the treatment of dysentery, a mixture of:
- plant juice;
- antibiotic;
- sulfa drug.
Lactating women who suffer from cracked nipples can make a poultice from the seeds. Before that, they need to be crushed and held in hot water. You need to apply the composition between all feedings. This is a great alternative for those who do not trust pharmacy medicines for the he alth of the newborn.
Psyllium husk is an excellent thickener. It is made from the seeds of the plant. It is used in cooking in the production of creams and desserts. It slows down the absorption of fats and carbohydrates. The husk is used to create a powder that lowers sugar levels and promotes weight loss. How does it work?
When mixed with water, the psyllium husk not only swells, it turns into a mass that resembles jelly. Once in the intestines in a dry form, it absorbs excess fluid, forming a normal stool. The husk attracts bile, which is rich in cholesterol. This is how excess fat comes out of the body.
Overweight people with distended stomachs lose weight thanks to the husk. It swells and the person feels full. Take them both separately and with food. It can be porridge or pastries. Fragrant bread with seeds will be eaten by the whole family, benefiting and sated for a long time.
Of course, you should not think that only by taking the seeds you can cure an ulcer, hemorrhoids or get rid of excess weight. It is necessary to consult a doctor, research and follow the prescribed recommendations. Husk and preparations based on it are an auxiliary component on the path to he alth.
Interestingly, this grass grows as a weed in many parts of the world. People pass by her, not even suspecting the beneficial properties of seeds. It is cultivated in India, France, Spain and some other countries. They know about the value of the herb, using it in confectionery, pharmaceuticals.
