Great Plantain (Plantago major) has a long history of traditional use in herbal medicine, particularly for skin ailments such as dermatitis, wounds, insect bites, and minor skin irritations. Folk medicine across Europe, Asia, and North America has utilized crushed plantain leaves topically to soothe inflamed skin, reduce itching, and promote healing. The plant is rich in bioactive compounds such as aucubin, allantoin, and flavonoids, which are believed to possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties. These effects may provide some rationale for its use in dermatitis, a general term for skin inflammation.

Despite this traditional background, robust scientific evidence supporting the use of Great Plantain specifically for dermatitis is limited. A small number of in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated some anti-inflammatory and healing effects of Plantago extracts, but well-controlled human clinical trials are lacking. A handful of case reports and small-scale studies have suggested potential benefits for minor skin irritations, but not specifically for chronic or severe dermatitis. As such, the primary justification for its use remains traditional rather than scientific, with a low to moderate level of supporting evidence.