{"id":6595,"date":"2022-03-21T18:53:06","date_gmt":"2022-03-21T18:53:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/?post_type=herb&p=6595"},"modified":"2025-05-25T08:33:03","modified_gmt":"2025-05-25T07:33:03","slug":"plantain","status":"publish","type":"herb","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/plantain\/","title":{"rendered":"Plantain"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":6598,"parent":0,"menu_order":-250,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"91c8284a-92ef-437e-919a-0fed2be70ad7","beyondwords_preview_token":"6a0a7b31-30e6-4a18-9217-77e312a0ba22","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[560,411,561,687,686,61,688],"conditions":[],"sustainability":[1576],"sense":[31,18,786,28],"western_action":[992,993,994,1824,1005,1010,1025],"chinese_action":[],"ayurvedic_action":[],"energetics_action":[1377,1515,1498,1382,1488,1509,1492],"region":[1893],"class_list":["post-6595","herb","type-herb","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-acne","tag-anti-inflammatory","tag-eczema","tag-plantain","tag-ribwwort","tag-skin","tag-wounds","sustainability-green-sustainability-status","sense-astringent-taste","sense-bitter","sense-cooling","sense-mucilaginous","western_action-anti-inflammatory","western_action-antimicrobial","western_action-antioxidant","western_action-antipruritic","western_action-demulcent","western_action-expectorant","western_action-vulnerary","energetics_action-western","energetics_action-astringent-taste-chinese","energetics_action-bitter","energetics_action-cool","energetics_action-moist","energetics_action-taste-chinese","energetics_action-toning","region-western-herbs"],"acf":{"last_reviewed":"20220321","herb_author":1235,"banner_text":"Both plantain species have a reputation as efficient tissue healers","latin_name":"Plantago major \/ Plantago lanceolata<\/em>","pseudonym_name":"","family_name":"Plantaginaceae","herb_summary":"Greater and ribwort plantain are humble, familiar weeds that have been used as traditional wound healing remedies for centuries. Used both internally and topically they continue to play a very important role in modern herbalism for the treatment of an array of conditions supporting as they do, the health of the mucous membranes and skin.","key_benefits":"Wounds, grazes, stings\r\nDry and inflamed rashes\r\nCatarrh and coughs\r\nInflamed mucous membranes","how_does_it_feel":"There is little scent to either plant. Initially the dried herbs have a slightly mucilaginous, sweet taste which on further chewing develops to an astringency with bitter undertones.","hdif_image_1":6598,"hdif_image_2":6603,"hdif_image_3":6602,"hdif_video":"","sense":[31,18,786,28],"what_can_i_use_it_for":"Greater plantain is generally considered to be superior for topical use, whilst ribwort excels within the tissues of the lungs.\r\n\r\nBoth species can be used for their healing, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties in cases of mild bronchitis, cystitis, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, catarrh, ear infections or gastric inflammation.\r\n\r\nRibwort can also be of good benefit following acute lung infections to assist the respiratory tract to heal.\u00a0The tannin content in the leaves makes them useful in the form of a strong tea in cases of diarrhoea.\r\n\r\nSometimes called the\u00a0Green sticking plaster,<\/em>\u00a0greater plantain is used topically to very good effect in different preparations on such presentations as insect bites, wounds, sunburn, stings, ulcers, rashes and haemorrhoids.\r\n\r\nA quick first aid method when in the field is to pick a couple of leaves and chew them to make a \u2018spit poultice\u2019. The watery saliva mixes with the mucilage in the leaf and creates a gel that will help the leaf stick to the area creating a bandage\/sticking plaster. Ensure you are confident in your identification of the two plantains before trying this!\r\n\r\nIf using as an eye wash, as always, the advice is to use sterilised equipment and filter the infusion through a double layer of muslin or an unbleached paper coffee filter.\r\n\r\nIt is far better to use a mashed leaf or two of either of these trusty plants for a painful nettle sting than that of a dock leaf.","into_the_heart_of":"\"\"The iridoid glycosides, mucilages and tannins are some of the key players in the medicinal actions of both plants, which have been prized remedies for a variety of conditions for many hundreds of years.\r\n\r\nThere is a plethora of different modes of administering this most useful of duos, including infusions, syrups, gargles, salves, compresses, liniments, enemas, suppositories, douches, eye, ear and nasal irrigations.\r\n\r\nPromising work on the healing and styptic (an agent that helps to stop bleeding) abilities of greater plantain have shown there is good potential for use in the wider health management of pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers and even postpartum haemorrhage.\r\n\r\nRefer to the Evidence section for further detail and references.","tradtional_uses":"Documentation of the use of greater plantain in wound healing goes back to Dioscorides.\r\n
\r\n
\"\"<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\nMedicinal plantains, including greater plantain and ribwort continue to be used in many parts of the world today for a wide range in indications.\r\n\r\nDespite greater plantain being an introduced species to North America, it was adopted as an effective wound healer by Native Americans, who called it\u00a0White man\u2019s footprint<\/em>, referring to the wide leaves and spread of the plant wherever Europeans went.\r\n\r\nWhilst both species are used for tissue healing, greater plantain has been used extensively to swiftly stop bleeding from external injury.\r\n\r\nRibwort and greater plantain have a tradition of interchangeable uses in a variety of conditions including toothache, earache, oral ulcers, gum disease, tonsillitis and internally for lung infections and inflammation.\r\n\r\nTraditionally used within the digestive tract for internal bleeding, ulceration and haemorrhoids and within the urinary tract for urinary retention, blood in the urine and bladder or kidney pain.\r\n\r\nBoth species were valued for prevention of festering wounds, splinters and boils when used as drawing agents.","what_practioners_say":"

\"\"<\/strong>Skin<\/h3>\r\nGreater plantain is usually preferred for topical use, although both species can be used.\u00a0 Often applied on the form of salves for wounds, bruises, ulcers, shingles and dry, inflamed skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.\r\n\r\nThe soothing effects mean it can also be useful when added to topical preparations containing strong essential oils to help moderate any potential irritant effect, such as with a strong sinus rub.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe chopped and soaked leaves or the fresh juice can be used as a speedy remedy for healing wounds. It is sometimes combined with yarrow in staunching bleeding.\r\n

Respiratory<\/h3>\r\nRibwort is useful in coughs, sore throats, respiratory infections and for strengthening the integrity of the mucous membranes of the lungs, providing anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. It is best used for coughs and colds taken as a hot infusion with a bit of honey. It can also be combined with yarrow and elderflower in such cases.\r\n

Digestive and urinary systems<\/h3>\r\nThe mucilage and tannin and content within both plants can go some way to explaining why they are often used for chronic or acute irritation of the mucous membrane linings of the digestive and urinary tracts.","research":"\"\"Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and cytotoxic effects have been noted in ribwort using a variety of assays, including enhancement of lymphocyte production, secretion of interferon-gamma, inhibitory activity on proliferation of lymphoma and certain carcinomas and viruses at lower dose extracts (1,2).\r\n\r\nExtracts of both greater plantain and ribwort have revealed the antioxidant properties remain on storing, with greater plantain revealing an increase in antioxidant activity after storage for 6 months (3).\r\n\r\nOne randomised triple blinded 14 day clinical trial on 130 patients was carried out on the use of greater plantain in the treatment of pressure ulcers. The findings indicated a significant difference in resolution of the wound damage between the test and control groups at 96% and 73% respectively (4).\r\n\r\nA randomised open-label controlled trial on the use of a hydroalcoholic extract (10% topical gel) of greater plantain on diabetic foot ulcers and pressure ulcers resulted in the acceleration of diabetic foot ulcer healing both in reduction of erythema and wound size (5).\r\n\r\nThe effects of rectal suppositories of greater plantain on postpartum haemorrhage were looked at in a recent randomised triple blinded clinical trial. The work demonstrated a statistically significant difference between with the group given dill (anethum graveolens<\/em>) and the control group compared to those given the greater plantain-containing suppositories, showing this method of administration can help reduce postpartum haemorrhage (6).","did_you_know":"Used as a vegetable both plants have good levels of vitamins A,C and K and calcium. The young, smaller leaves can be eaten fresh, saut\u00e9ed or steamed, while the older ones should perhaps be ignored for culinary purposes as they are a bit tough and stringy.\r\n\r\nOne of greater plantain\u2019s older names was White man\u2019s foot, coined because the plant was said to spread far and wide during colonial times being carried in the trouser turn-ups of Europeans.\r\n\r\nIt was all the rage to cultivate a number of \u2018monstrous developmental mutant\u2019 versions of greater plantain in seventeenth century gardens. They were bred to have very large, branched flower spikes. \u00a0Such mutations may sometimes be seen today in populations of greater plantain treated with sub-lethal doses of herbicides.\r\n\r\nRibwort Plantain flower heads when recently turned brown can be used to make a mushroom-flavoured stock. \u00a0They are also the source of a game used by children where the flower heads are used as \u2018pop guns\u2019 by wrapping the stem around the flower head and pinging them off in the direction of a chum.","additional_information_right":{"illustration":8555},"additional_information_left":{"botany":"Native to Europe and Asia but spread far and wide, greater plantain and ribwort are two of around 250 species of annuals, biennials perennials within the genus Plantago.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nBoth are perennial, pollinated by the wind and also capable of self-fertilisation. The seeds of these two plants become mucilaginous (slimy) when wet and can adhere to animals to aid dispersal. It is worth keeping one or two in the garden to encourage wild-life, as their seeds can provide winter feed for song birds.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe leaves and aerial parts are used medicinally. Harvest during the summer when flowering.<\/span>\r\n\r\nGreater plantain:<\/b> This plant loves compacted soil and is fond of growing in soil-disturbed habitats, near human activity & waste places. Greater plantain is a squat plant, possessing a basal rosette of long-stemmed, spoon-shaped leaves with prominent fibrous veins that grow up to 15 cm in length.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nTiny inconspicuous yellow-green flowers are borne on long cylindrical spikes in the summer. It grows to a height of 40 cm with a similar spread. An individual plant produces up to 20,000 seeds and can become quite invasive if left to its own devices. The seeds can remain viable in undisturbed soil for 20 years or so.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nRibwort:<\/b> A plant of grasslands, road-sides and cultivated ground, ribwort grows up to a height of 50 cm with a spread of 20 cm. Also forms a rosette but whose leaves are more slender, ribbed and lance-shaped.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe plant tends to grow taller in meadows and more squat in short turf. A pointed head of small, tightly clustered brown flowers with creamy-white stamens are borne on hairy, square-shaped stems from April to October. An average plant can produce between 2,500 and 10,000 seeds in the right conditions.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThere are other medicinal species within the genus including Hoary plantain (<\/span>Plantago media<\/span><\/i>), Sea plantain (<\/span>Plantago maritima<\/span><\/i>), Blond psyllium seed\/ ispaghul (<\/span>Plantago ovata<\/span><\/i>) and Dark \/Flea seed (<\/span>Plantago psyllium<\/span><\/i>).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nNone of these are related to the tropical banana-like plantain fruit.<\/span>","common_names":"Plantago major<\/strong>\r\n