- Characteristics of the Burro's Ear Plant
- Medicinal properties and uses of the Burro's Ear plant
- References
The ear donkey, also known as plantain, is a medicinal plant with multiple, antibacterials, expectorants, antihistaminic, antiviral, astringent healing and anti - inflammatory properties.
Its scientific name is Plantago lanceolata L., it is a perennial plant, it lives for more than two years, and it is present throughout Europe, the US, Canada and Western Asia.
It is popularly called Burro's Ear, given the similarity of the shape of its leaves with the ears of the referred animal.
It is widely recognized for its health properties, since its use helps in the cleaning of the bloodstream and the expulsion of waste from the body naturally.
Characteristics of the Burro's Ear Plant
This plant is characterized by having flower stems capable of reaching up to 50 centimeters in height. Its leaves are shaped like the end of a spear, are long, and slightly serrated at the edge.
These start from the same point of origin, located in the center of the plant and at ground level. This point is called the basal rosette, and it is typical of perennials.
It blooms in the period between spring and summer. Its flowers are small, they make a spike with slightly yellowish brown petals, and the anthers are purple.
Among its components it contains aucubin, an iridoid glycoside that offers powerful benefits for the liver and increases the renal excretion of uric acid in the body.
In addition, it has a high content of mucilage in its seeds. Mucilage is a highly recommended soluble fiber to promote the proper functioning of the digestive system.
In addition, donkey ear has an important portion of iron, calcium, vitamin C, pectin, silicic acid, flavonoids, phenols, tannin and enzymes.
Medicinal properties and uses of the Burro's Ear plant
Depending on the form of intake or application of this plant, it is used in the treatment of various health conditions.
- Donkey's ear can be prepared in the form of an infusion or syrup, and is highly recommended to treat respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, asthma or colds, thanks to its recognized expectorant properties.
- It can also be applied directly to the eyes as an eye drop, to alleviate the effects of conjunctivitis.
- In case of otitis, the leaf is usually crushed and a few drops of the liquid obtained directly onto the ear, as it helps to alleviate the inflammation.
- Its topical use is highly recommended on minor wounds, such as insect bites, bruises or burns.
- The ointments based on this plant have regenerative properties on the skin, and are usually used to speed up the healing of small lacerations and scrapes.
- The seeds of the donkey's ear are excellent natural laxatives.
- Its direct intake is also recommended to take full advantage of its regulatory properties on gastric acids and irritations of the stomach and intestines.
In this case, its leaves must be collected before the flowering of the plant, and eaten raw as a complement to salads. It is important to wash the leaves very well and remove the veins before eating.
References
- 8 applications of plantain, a magical medicinal plant of the most complete in the plant world (nd). Recovered from: tunuevainformacion.com
- How To Take Advantage Of The Medicinal Properties Of The Lesser Plantain (2014). Recovered from: flordeplanta.com.ar
- Plantain, properties, benefits and medicinal uses (2013). Recovered from: ecoagricultor.com
- Donkey's Ear (2015). Binipatía. Valencia Spain. Recovered from: binipatia.com
- Plantago lanceolata - Medicinal properties (2017). Recovered from: Plantasyremedios.com
- Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2017). Plantago lanceolata. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org