Plantago major
Common Name:- briadlead plantain
Vernacular Name:- Nyad-nyar (Nyishi)
Family:- Plantaginaceae
General_information
Plantago major, the broadleaf plantain, white man’s foot, or greater plantain, is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae. The plant is native to most of Europe and northern and central Asia, but has widely naturalised elsewhere in the world. The young, tender leaves can be eaten raw, and the older, stringier leaves can be boiled in stews and eaten. Broadleaf plantain is not related to the fruit also known as plantain, which is a kind of banana.
It is available throughout the state of Arunachal Pradesh and other Northeast states of India. Generally it can seen along terrace farming area (pagar in Nyishi) or moist & shady places. Locals of Arunachal Pradesh use it as vegetable or either in the form of salad.
Herbal_medicine
Plantain contains the phytochemicals allantoin, aucubin, ursolic acid, flavonoids, and asperuloside. Plantain extract has been studied for its potential health effects.
Plantain leaves were used (references from Patanjali) commonly in folk medicine for skin poultices on wounds, sores, or insect stings. The root was used for fever and respiratory infections.
efibleuses
The leaves are edible as a salad green when young and tender, but they quickly become tough and fibrous as they get older. The older leaves can be cooked in stews. The leaves contain calcium and other minerals, and 100 grams of plantain contain approximately the same amount of beta-carotene as a large carrot. The seeds are so small that they are tedious to gather, but they can be ground into a flour substitute or extender.
Photo sources:- Kimin, Papum Pare, Arunachal Pradesh.
Reference