Water Plantain

Clinical Notes. Rhizome used as Rhizoma Alismatis (Ze Xie) in TCM Fresh plant toxic - must be dried/cooked Traditional use for urinary Damp-Heat, edema, diarrhea Modern research on lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory NOAEL >2000 mg/kg/day in 90-day rat study 6467358

Properties and Uses. The leaves, when fresh, are highly stimulating, and even vesicant. When dry, a strong infusion of them proves relaxing and stimulating, acting on the skin and kidneys. Used warm, this will secure gentle moisture on the surface, and quiet nervous agitation.

Description. Natural Order, Alismaceae. Genus ALISMA: Acaulescent marsh-herbs, with expanded leaves and panicled flowers. Flowers perfect, three-petaled and three-sepaled; stamens six; styles and ovaries numerous, and arranged in a circle. A. PLANTAGO: Leaves radical, ovate, sub-cordate, abruptly acuminate, five-veined, four to six inches long, long-petioled. Scape one to two feet high, panicled. Flowers verticillate, numerous, small, rose-white, appearing in July and August. Carpels fifteen to twenty. This smooth little plant is common in our ditches and pools.

indications. Water Plantain is traditionally indicated for: Nephritis, Digestive complaints, Liver disease, Oliguria, Fatty liver, Painful urinary dysfunction, Hyperlipidemia, Gonorrhea, Tinnitus, Dizziness, Diabetes, Urinary tract infection, High cholesterol, Hypertension, Leukorrhea, and 11 further conditions.