Benefits of Plantain
 
Plantain has been used as a panacea in some Native American cultures, and it holds powerful skin-healing properties. There is a very good reason for this, as it has many active constituents that show antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Plantain is known for soothing and cooling mucous membranes, and at the same time, its astringency helps to relieve diarrhoea, excess menstrual flow, haemorrhoids and incontinence in children and adults. It is also soothing to the lungs, effectively loosening and expelling phlegm and congestion and treating hoarseness. Plantain leaves are believed to be useful for diabetes, gout, gastric and bowel ulcers, dyspepsia, tuberculosis, jaundice, epilepsy, constipation, varicose veins, and even eye infections.
Plantain contains potassium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, fibre and magnesium, as well as vitamins A, C and K. It is also rich in numerous phytochemicals, including glycosides, phenols, allantoin, salicylic acid, and tannins. The phytochemicals are antioxidant compounds that are found naturally in plants that may help to prevent free radical induced damage in the body. The International College of Herbal Medicine states that Plantain leaves have anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, analgesic and immune-stimulating properties. 
Plantain, a diuretic, increases urine flow, and its antiseptic properties make it effective in easing uterine infections, urinary tract infections, syphilis and bladder infections. It has shown to be beneficial for female disorders with fluent discharges and internal problems symptomatic of the urinary tract, including cystitis and leucorrhoea. Plantain may also slow the growth of staphylococcus infection and tuberculosis bacteria. The increased urine flow also helps in cases of oedema and excess water weight.
Plantain also helps to ease indigestion and heartburn and may help in cases of diarrhoea and dysentery. It has also been found to be useful in problems of constipation, dropsy, gastric and bowel ulcers, dyspepsia, and jaundice. 
Plantago major is believed to be one of the most versatile of herbal medicines, according to Bartram's. Plantain leaf tincture contains a high amount of mucilage, which soothes and cools mucous membranes. This action is soothing to the lungs and may help to effectively loosen and help to get rid of phlegm and congestion. It is both an astringent, both moistening and drying, Plantain makes a great addition to herbal cough syrups and can be so soothing. 
Plantain can help to stop bleeding (including bleeding from mucous membranes) and control excess menstrual flow. It has also been found to be helpful in controlling vaginal and other types of infection.
Plantain Leaf herbal extract contains salicylic acid, the natural property of synthetic aspirin, and it has been effective in relieving pain, including neuralgic pain. An infusion of the herb has been used in the ear for ear infections, as long as the eardrum has not burst, to ease the pain and shorten the duration. When used externally, the astringent actions of Plantain leaves are said to soothe bee stings, bites, poison sumac and poison ivy. And, when used topically, acts to staunch haemorrhage and ease wounds and bleeding cuts by contracting blood vessels. 
It is also believed to help those who wish to "kick the habit" to stop smoking, by including Plantain tincture in a gargle.