Contents
Uses
- Water plantain or Alisma is a plant. The root and underground stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine. Be careful not to confuse water plantain with other plantain species such as buckhorn plantain.
- Water plantain is used for bladder and urinary tract diseases.
Benefits
- Herbalists recommend using the powdered seeds as an astringent in cases of bleeding. Alisma has also been used as a diuretic, and it can be used to alleviate water retention. Its urination-promoting actions are used to reduce edema, urinary difficulties, diarrhea, and abdominal distention. Additionally, alisma is used to help treat dizziness with heat and ringing in the ears. Studies have shown that alisma lowers blood pressure. Alisma is known to lower lipids in blood, lower blood cholesterol levels, exhibit antibacterial properties, and lower blood sugar. Sometimes the bruised leaves of alisma have been applied topically to bruises and swellings.
Cautions
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking water plantain’s if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Other Names
Alisma, Alisma Plantain d’Eau, Alismatis Plantago, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Alisma plantago-aquatica subsp. orientale, Alisma orientale, Alisma plantago-aquatica var. orientale, Alismatis Plantago, American Water Plantain, Asian Water Plantain, Llanten de Agua, Mad-Dog Weed, Plantain, Plantain d’Eau, Rhizoma Alismatis, Ze Xie.
References
Source: WebMD, “MANGOSTEEN”, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-347-water%20plantain.aspx?activeingredientid=347&activeingredientname=water%20plantain
Source: Ask Dr. Mao, “Alisma”, http://www.askdrmao.com/natural-health-dictionary/alisma/