Plantain (Plantago major / Plantago lanceolata)

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Other names for plantain

Broadleaf Plantain
Narrowleaf Plantain
Plantain Leaf
Waybread
Asian Plantain
Buckhorn Plantain
Common Plantain
English Plantain
Great Plantain
Plantain (common or English)
Plantain (unspecifed)
Plantain (unspecified)
Water Plantain

Synopsis of plantain

Plantain refers to the Plantago genus, particularly Plantago major (common plantain) and Plantago lanceolata (narrowleaf plantain), both of which are herbaceous perennials native to Europe and Asia but now naturalized worldwide. Not to be confused with the banana-like fruit also called plantain, medicinal plantain is a leafy green plant with broad or lance-shaped leaves and distinctive parallel veins.

Plantain leaves are rich in iridoid glycosides (like aucubin), flavonoids, allantoin, mucilage, and tannins, making them valuable for a wide range of therapeutic uses. The herb is best known for its wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and demulcent (soothing) properties. When applied topically, crushed plantain leaves help draw out toxins, reduce swelling, promote tissue repair, and ease itching from insect bites or minor skin irritations. Internally, plantain soothes mucous membranes of the digestive and respiratory tracts, helping with conditions like ulcers, IBS, coughs, and sore throat.

Its high mucilage content makes plantain effective in calming inflammation, coating irritated tissues, and reducing irritation in dry coughs or urinary tract discomfort. It is used in teas, tinctures, poultices, and salves, and has a mild flavor suitable for combining with other herbs.

Historical Use in Medicine:
Plantain has a long history in European, Native American, and traditional Chinese medicine. The Greeks and Romans used it as a universal remedy for skin problems, wounds, and digestive issues. Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder noted its use for treating ulcers, burns, and inflammation, while Dioscorides included it in his Materia Medica for respiratory ailments and wound healing.

In Anglo-Saxon England, plantain was one of the "Nine Sacred Herbs" mentioned in the Lacnunga, an Old English medical text. It was called “waybread” for its habit of growing along footpaths and roadsides and was revered for its ability to "heal any wound."

Native American tribes independently discovered and used plantain for treating wounds, stings, fevers, and gastrointestinal distress. They often chewed the leaves or used them as poultices to draw out infections and splinters. The Cherokee, for instance, applied mashed leaves to snake bites, while others used the seeds to promote digestion and regularity.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, plantain seed (Che Qian Zi) is used to clear damp heat, promote urination, and support kidney and liver function. Though the emphasis in TCM is more on the seed than the leaf, both parts of the plant are valued.

Plantain is used for these health conditions

Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Abrasions (Traditional)
Abscesses (Traditional)
Acid Indigestion (Traditional)
Anal Fistula or Fissure (Traditional)
Anemia (Traditional)
Antibiotics (alternatives to) (Traditional)
Arthritis (Traditional )
Asthma (Traditional)
Athlete's Foot (Traditional)
Backache (Traditional)
Bites and Stings (Traditional)
Bleeding (external) (Traditional)
Boils (Traditional)
Bronchitis (Traditional)
Bruises (healing) (Traditional)
Burns and Scalds (Traditional)
Cancer (natural therapy for) (Traditional)
Canker Sores (Traditional)
Chest Pain (Traditional)
Colds (general) (Traditional)
Colds (prevention) (Traditional)
Colds (with fever) (Traditional)
Colic (children) (Traditional)
Colitis (Scientific)
Conjunctivitis (Traditional)
Constipation (adults) (Scientific)
Cuts (Scientific)
Dermatitis (Traditional)
Diarrhea (Traditional)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Dyspepsia (Traditional)
Ear Infection or Earache (Traditional)
Eczema (Traditional)
Eye Infections (Traditional)
Fever (Traditional)
Gastritis (Traditional)

plantain is used to support these body systems

Bladder (Traditional)
Blood (Traditional)
Digestive System (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Gums (Traditional)
Immune System (Traditional)
Intestinal System (Traditional)
Joints (Traditional)
Kidneys (Traditional)
Large Intestines (Colon) (Traditional)
Lungs (Traditional)
Mucus Membranes (Traditional)
Respiratory System (Traditional)
Sinuses (Traditional)
Skin (Traditional)
Stomach (Traditional)
Urinary System (Traditional)
Vocal Cords (Traditional)