Common Plantain (Plantago major) to Treat Anal Fissure

Common plantain is one of the many herbal plants in the world esteemed for both its availability, nutritional content and numerous health benefits. This plant grows anywhere where there is plenty of sunlight and a sufficient amount of moisture to thrive. Some people have described it as an obnoxious weed when it easily spreads in one’s lawn. It grows in cracks in the sidewalks and trails. The plant usually dies around winter but grows back around mid-spring. But before you judge it as anything but useless, here are some valuable facts you might want to consider when you try to ignore it. And if you are suffering from anal fissure, is it possible to use Common plantain (Plantago major) to treat anal fissure?

Common plantain is both edible and medicinal. Young leaves of the plant can be prepared into salad and eaten raw while its fibrous old leaves can be cooked into stew. There has been some scientific studies conducted to confirm the many biological effects of the plant extract. The plant extract promotes healing activity in wounds. It has analgesic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the ability to modulate immune system response and is observed to have antiulcerogenic activity. Its active chemical components are aucubin which is its anti-microbial agent, mucilage which has the ability to reduce pain and discomfort, and allantoin which is responsible in stimulating cellular growth and the fast regeneration of tissues.

The plant has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and astringent properties. But are they enough to use Common plantain (Plantago major) to treat anal fissure? In herbal medicine, the tea made from the leaves of this plant is used to treat diarrhea. The tea will also replenish the nutrients lost because it is highly nutritious, boasting of high mineral content for calcium, vitamins A, C, and K and fiber. The seeds of the plant when added to a tea act as a bulking laxative. It also used to soothe sore throats. However, what might be more important notice is its effectiveness in promoting healing to skin irritations and wounds. The extract can be used topically for mosquito bites, bee stings, ivy rash and some allergic rashes. Its active biochemical helps prevent further infection of wounds.

In the treatment of anal fissure, some of the home remedies include warm baths to help facilitate the blood flow to the anus and thereby relaxing the muscles there. What is the cause of an anal fissure is the passing of unusually hard and large stool especially after an episode of constipation. One of the many symptoms of the medical condition is irritation around the anus area. With the popular use of the plant and its extract to treat skin infection, it is possible to have Common plantain (Plantago major) to treat anal fissure – not taken orally though because it has not been proven to stop bleeding. The plant as food could be used as prevention for constipation which is usually the culprit in having an anal fissure. Warm herbal baths might also be good to relieve the irritation.