Plantago asiatica
| Plantago asiatica | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus: | Plantago |
| Species: | Plantago asiatica |
| Binomial name | |
| Plantago asiatica L. | |
Plantago asiatica, is a self-fertile,[1] perennial flowering plant[2] of genus Plantago.[3][4] It is in flower from July to August.[5] The plant is native to East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, etc.). It grows really well in disturbed areas like roadsides or even dirt roads.[6]
Common Name: Chinese plantain, obako, arnoglossa
Description
This plant is a perennial herb that grows to 20–60 cm high, and has big roots. Its leaves, which gather on the ground, have oval blades and are 11–12 cm long and 4–9 cm wide, with obtuse apex and base, and 5 smooth main veins from the leaf base. The petioles are almost the same length as the blades. The plant has erect spikes of 20–45 cm high, with many small, white, hairless flowers, and oval sepals that are 1.8–2 cm long, tube corolla with 5 oval lobes, and 4 stamens. The fruits are oval-shaped pyxis of 3.5 mm high and 2 mm wide, which have 4 black seeds inside that are up to 1.8 mm long.[7]
Medicinal use
This plant was traditionally used in Asian pharmacopoeia for the treatment of liver disease.[8] It has also been used to treat stomach troubles and inflammation of the bladder and urinary tract. Its seeds have a mild laxative effect.[9]
Culinary use
The leaves of the plant are used in many Japanese dishes, especially soups.[10] In Vietnam, the young leaves are boiled, fried, or made into soup with meat or prawns.[7]
References
- ↑ http://naturallineus.com/herbs/plantago-asiatica
- ↑ http://www.herbpathy.com/Uses-and-Benefits-of-Plantago-Asiatica-Cid3525
- ↑ "Plantago subg. Plantago". Retrieved November 23, 2006.
- ↑ "Taxonomic subtree rooted by TaxID 197796 (Plantago asiatica)". Retrieved November 23, 2006.
- ↑ http://naturallineus.com/herbs/plantago-asiatica
- ↑ http://herbalogic.net/the-barefoot-herbalogist-plantago-asiatica/
- 1 2 Tanaka, Yoshitaka; Van Ke, Nguyen (2007). Edible Wild Plants of Vietnam: The Bountiful Garden. Thailand: Orchid Press. p. 114. ISBN 9745240893.
- ↑ http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/meeting_abstract/26/1_MeetingAbstracts/692.16
- ↑ Willcox, Bradley and Willcox, Graig. The Okinawa Diet Plan
- ↑ Willcox, Bradley and Willcox, Graig. The Okinawa Diet Plan