Evidence supporting the use of: Common Plantain
For the health condition: Emphysema

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

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

Common Plantain (Plantago major) has a long history of traditional use for respiratory ailments, including conditions like emphysema. In various folk medicine systems, especially throughout Europe and parts of Asia, plantain leaves have been prepared as teas, syrups, or extracts to soothe coughs, ease bronchial irritation, and support lung health. The traditional rationale is based on its mucilaginous properties, which are thought to coat and soothe inflamed mucous membranes, and its mild anti-inflammatory effects.

However, the direct evidence for its efficacy in emphysema specifically is lacking. Emphysema is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that involves irreversible alveolar damage. While common plantain has demonstrated some anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in laboratory studies, and has shown mild benefit for cough and throat irritation in small clinical trials, there are no robust clinical trials or scientific studies that directly support its use for emphysema in humans. Therefore, the use of common plantain for emphysema is justified primarily by tradition, with only limited and indirect scientific support for respiratory symptom relief in general.

In summary, common plantain's use for emphysema is grounded in traditional herbal medicine, but rated low (2/5) for evidence due to the lack of targeted clinical studies validating its effectiveness for this specific condition.

More about Common Plantain
More about Emphysema

Products containing Common Plantain

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.