Plantain (Kanchkala)

Botanically it is known as Musa paradisiaca. It is a plant of the banana family (Musaceae) closely related to the common banana (Musa sapientum). The plant is 10 to 33 ft. high with large fleshy tree-like stems having bright green leaves. The fruit which is green is larger than banana. The edible fruit of the plant has more starch than the banana and is not eaten raw. It is usually cooked green either boiled or fried with coconut juice or sugar as a flavouring. It may also be dried for later use in cooking or ground for use as a meal. The meal can be further refined to flour. Plantain is now an export crop of India. In East Mrica, it is a staple food and beer-making crop, specially in Uganda and Tanzania.

This plant originated in India. Later it was introduced in other tropical regions like Africa, Egypt, America and Indonesia. There are two types of plantain, viz. the horn plantain and the French plantain.

For juice purposes plantain is not used. But plantain flower (mocha) juice is very useful in menorrhagia. Plantain is a rich source of vitamin A, B and O. It also contains other minerals.

Benefit and uses of Plantain.

• This plant will help with a long list of skin complaints, including rashes, wounds, ulcerations, cuts, swelling, sprains, bruises, burns, eczema, cracked lips, poison ivy, mosquito bites, diaper rash, boils, hemorrhoids, and blisters. 
• The leaves, seeds and roots can all be made into an herbal tea.
• Plantain decoction of the roots is used in the treatment of a wide range of complaints including diarrhoea, dysentery, gastritis, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhage, haemorrhoids, cystitis, bronchitis, catarrh, sinusitis, coughs, asthma and hay fever.
• A tea from the leaves relieved sore eyes. A charm from the powdered roots was used to prevent snakebite.
• The leaves and roots are used in teas and tinctures for bronchial asthma.
• The seeds of all Plantago have been shown to lower cholesterol.
• A tea or infusion of leaves, fresh or dried, is used for kidney and bladder troubles and the juice extracted from the fresh leaves is said to heal stomach ulcers.
• Plantain is also useful for easing pain and healing problems in the lower intestinal tract.
• The seeds of all varieties of plantain have been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels.