Plantago rugelii, Plantain, (Plantaginaceae, the Plantain Family), to 5 dm in height, white flowers, habitat: lawns, gardens, roadsides, and waste places (102, 103).
Ancient Greeks and Romans used Plantain as an astringent, to heal wounds, and for asthma, fevers, and eye disorders. American Indian groups used a poultice for pain, swelling, wounds, cuts, sores, infections, blisters, insect bites, snakebites, and hemorrhoids. The juice or leaf infusion was used for sore eyes. Internally, leaf tea was taken for diarrhea, ulcers, bloody urine, digestive upsets, and excess mucous discharge. The root was used for may similar complaints, as well as for fever, respiratory infections, and constipation. Extracts inhibit the biosynthesis of cyclooxygenase-2 prostaglandin (6, 88, 239).
It is known to produce aucubin C15H24O9 . H2O, rhinanthin, and aucuboside (169, 172, 238).
Polemonium viscosum, Sky Pilot, Skunkweed, Jacobs-ladder, Greek Valerian (Polenomiaceae, the Phlox Family), to 5 dm in height, purple flowers, habitat: alpine, 3 kilometers altitude, Rocky Mountains; Crushed plant has an unmistakable skunk smell (107, 63).
It has been shown to produce polygalitol (238).
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