Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Plantain (Plantago major, commonly known as common or English plantain) has a long history of traditional use in treating bites and stings from insects and other sources. Folk medicine across Europe, North America, and parts of Asia employs crushed plantain leaves as a topical poultice to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and promote healing of skin irritations caused by bites and stings. The traditional rationale is that plantain’s mucilaginous (gel-like) compounds can soothe irritated skin, while its purported anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties help prevent infection and reduce local reactions. Scientific studies on plantain’s efficacy for bites and stings are limited. Laboratory research has identified that Plantago major contains bioactive compounds such as aucubin, allantoin, and various flavonoids, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects in vitro and in animal models. However, there is a lack of high-quality human clinical trials specifically evaluating plantain’s effectiveness for insect bites or stings. Therefore, while there is traditional justification and some plausible mechanistic support from laboratory science, robust clinical validation is still lacking. As a result, its use for bites and stings remains chiefly grounded in traditional medicine practices, with only preliminary scientific backing.

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