Synopsis

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

Plantain, which may refer to either Plantago species (such as Plantago major) or the starchy banana (Musa paradisiaca), has a long history of traditional use in herbal medicine. The leaves and seeds of Plantago species have been used in various cultures for digestive complaints, including gas and bloating. In European folk medicine, plantain leaves were often brewed as a tea or used as an ingredient in preparations for soothing gastrointestinal irritation. Some traditional systems, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, have recommended plantain for its purported demulcent and anti-inflammatory properties, which could theoretically help with gut discomfort and flatulence. However, scientific studies specifically investigating plantain’s efficacy for gas and bloating are sparse. Most modern research on Plantago has focused on the seeds (psyllium), which are recognized for their bulk-forming laxative effects, but evidence directly linking plantain leaf or non-psyllium preparations to relief from gas and bloating remains limited. Therefore, while there is a clear traditional precedent for using plantain for mild digestive symptoms, the scientific evidence to support this use remains insufficient, and the overall strength of evidence is low.

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