Great Plantain

(Plantago major)

Used for centuries as a panacea, a medicinal cure-all, The leaves, seeds, and roots have been used as an antibacterial, antidote, antitoxin, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antitussive, cardiac, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, Hemostatic, laxative, ophthalmic, poultice, refrigerant, and vermifuge. One Native American name for the plant translates to "life medicine". Plantain was even mentioned in Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet.

There are two main active ingredients in this "wonder drug" One is Allantoin, while the other is the glycoside Aucubin. Allantoin is a natural cell proliferant which helps our bodies regenerate damaged tissue. Aucubin has been reported in the Journal Of Toxicology as a powerful anti-toxin. Aucubin is a defensive compound commonly found in many plants. It is thought to reduce the growth rate of many generalist herbivores.

I have long hypothesized it is this ability to decrease cellular growth rate which is behind the performance of Plantago spp. as an excellent antitoxin, and antibacterial agent. Recent clinical studies have shown that Aucubin removes the ability of bacteria and viruses to replicate their DNA. These organisms have a short life span. Their virulence is a direct result of their ability to quickly split into new organism, thereby perpetuating the infection.

Regardless of the reasons for Plantain's medicinal effects, I have experienced first hand the magical healing properties of this wonderful plant. I feel it is the first and perhaps the most important medicinal plant a person can and should learn.

Other Names:
Common plantain, broadleaf plantain, white man's footprint, waybread, greater plantain

Range:


Family:
Plantaginaceae – Plantain family

Growth Type:
An Herbaceous Perennial plant growing in a basal rosette.

Height:
Can reach 12-18 inches in height

Leaves:
Broad, ovate, with prominent raised veins that run parallel to one another along the length of the underside of the leaf. The base of the leaf stem may be purple in color.

Stem/Trunk:
N/A

Root:
Leaf stalks emanate from a fibrous root mass.

Flower Season:
Mid-Summer

Flower Appearance:
The plant puts forth a densely clustered, green flowered stalk, which later bears numerous seeds.

Seed/Fruit:
Unremarkable

Miscellaneous characteristics:
While there are no poisonous look alikes, if you slowly break the stem of the plantain leaf and pull apart slowly, you will notice the veins remain attached. This is a simple test to verify you have the correct plant.

Habitat:
Compacted disturbed soils. lawns, pastures, meadows, cracks in sidewalks, waste places and disturbed habitats throughout the United States.

Parts Used:
Leaves, seeds, roots

Culinary Uses:
Add leaves to salads, or use as a cooked vegetable

Energetics
Taste: Salty/Bitter
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Moistening

Traditional Medicinal Uses:
Used for centuries as a panacea (a medicinal cure-all), P. major contains Allantoin, a natural cell proliferant, which has been shown to speed up the natural replacement of cells. This explains the almost miraculous healing benefits I have experienced with this plant. I nake a healing ointment from plantain that is positively amazing. Follow this link for photographic evidence of the amazing healing benefits of my plantain ointment.

The Aucubin in plantain is considered to be an excellent antimicrobial and antiviral. I believe these terms to be misnomers, as plantain does not kill viruses, but rather the aucubin disrupts their ability to replicate. Recent clinical trials have found that aucubin inhibts mitotic cell division in a broad array of viruses. Most viruses are short lived. Their virulence stems from their ability to replicate. Remove that ability, and you remove their virulence. In the event you become ill from a virus, plantain will drastically reduce the length of that illness.

Along with its wonderful healing and antimitotic effects I have also found plantain leaves to be highly effective at treating insect bites and stings.

As a result of insect bites/stings, my son and one of my daughters have had a couple of bouts of cellulitis. Cellulitis is an inflammation of the subcutaneous layer of the skin. If left untreated, it can lead to sepsis and become life threatening. In each case I picked a handful of fresh Plantago major leaves, and placed them in a blender, you can also use a food processor. I then add enough olive oil to cover, you can use any oil you have on hand. I then processed it to a thick paste. I applied it to the affected area and covered it with a 4"x4" gauze pad and wrapped it with coban, you can use any bandage or tape. When it dried out, I replaced it. I did this perhaps two or three times the first day, and by the next day the infection had healed. In the case of my daughter, she had it a second time, and it took two or three days to heal. I cannot stress enough how well this works. I could find no medical studies or papers that support this use. Do not let the fact that science has not caught up with phytotherapy to prevent you from trying this amazing medicine.

I have also used it to soothe the rashes associated with poison ivy and poison oak. My son came home from his mother's house covered in mosquito bites. He was itching himself crazy. I applied some plantain ointment, and he stopped itching almost instantly. The next day, there was little or no swelling or inflammation, and most of the bites were completely gone. My son had to undergo allergy testing. As picture #1 on the lin below will show, his skin reacted almost immediately. Once the doctor evaluated his reaction, I immediately applied an ointment of Plantain and Jewelweed. As you will see by picture #2, the reaction was gone a short time later. Follow this link to view these photos.

Indications

Abrasion, Acne, Allergic Rhinitis, Asthma, Atopic Dermatitis, Blepharitis, Boils, Bronchitis, Burns, Cancer, Carcinoma, Boils, Cardiovascular Disease, Catarrh, Cellulitis, Cephalgia, Chronic Leg Ulcer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Conjunctivitis, Cough, Crural Ulcers, Cystitis, Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Diabetic Nephropathy, Dysentery, Dysuria, Ecthyma, Eczema, Edema, Enteritis, Epididymitis, Epistaxis, Herpes Labialis, Hyperkalemia, Hypertension, Gingivitis, Impetigo, Inflammation, Lyme Disease, Mucositis, Neoplasm, Nephritis, Neuroblastoma, Odontalgia, Ophthalmia, Otalgia, Prostate Cancer, Pressure Ulcers, Prostatitis, Spermatorrhea, Sting, Stomatitis, Thrush, Upper Respiratory Infection, Ulcerative Colitis, Urinary Stones, Urethritis, Wart

Usage Citations

The fact that studies concerning all indications listed above have not yet been completed, does not mean said uses are invalid. The plants I have included have a long history of effective use, and most were part of the U.S. Pharmacopia prior to the advent of allopathic medicine.

Abrasion (common): Ghanadian M, Soltani R, Homayouni A, Khorvash F, Jouabadi SM, Abdollahzadeh M. The Effect of Plantago major Hydroalcoholic Extract on the Healing of Diabetic Foot and Pressure Ulcers: A Randomized Open-Label Controlled Clinical Trial. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2024 Sep;23(3):475-481. doi: 10.1177/15347346211070723. Epub 2022 Jan 19. PMID: 35044254; PMCID: PMC11607841.

Asthma (common): Farokhi F, Khaneshi F. Histophatologic changes of lung in asthmatic male rats treated with hydro-alcoholic extract of Plantago major and theophylline. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2013 Spring;3(2):143-51. PMID: 25050268; PMCID: PMC4075699.

Atherosclerosis (Arterial Plaques): Najafian, Younes, Shokouh Sadat Hamedi, Masoumeh Kaboli Farshchi, and Zohre Feyzabadi. "Plantago major in Traditional Persian Medicine and modern phytotherapy: a narrative review." Electronic physician 10, no. 2 (2018): 6390.

Blepharitis (Eyelip Inflammation): Cock, Ian Edwin, Ané Orchard, Cynthia Nhlabathi, Thato Nxumalo, and Sandy Van Vuuren. "The feasibility of southern African traditional plant therapies for ophthalmic use." South African Journal of Botany 148 (2022): 360-378.

Boils (Carbuncles/Carbuncles): Najafian, Younes, Shokouh Sadat Hamedi, Masoumeh Kaboli Farshchi, and Zohre Feyzabadi. "Plantago major in Traditional Persian Medicine and modern phytotherapy: a narrative review." Electronic physician 10, no. 2 (2018): 6390.

Bronchitis: Naderi, Alireza, Seyyed Ali Mozaffarpur, Hoda Shirafkan, Masomeh Bayani, and Zahra Memariani. "Effect of Plantago major on cough severity in acute bronchitis: A double-blind randomized clinical trial." Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine 15, no. 4 (2024): 651.

Burns: Keshavarzi, Abdolkhalegh, Hashem Montaseri, Rahimeh Akrami, Hossein Moradi Sarvestani, Fateme Khosravi, Sara Foolad, Mitra Zardosht, Saeid Zareie, Mohammad Jamal Saharkhiz, and Reza Shahriarirad. "Therapeutic Efficacy of Great Plantain (Plantago major L.) in the Treatment of Second‐Degree Burn Wounds: A Case‐Control Study." International Journal of Clinical Practice 2022, no. 1 (2022): 4923277.

Cancer: Galvez, Marina, Carmen Martın-Cordero, Miguel Lopez-Lazaro, Felipe Cortes, and Marıa Jesús Ayuso. "Cytotoxic effect of Plantago spp. on cancer cell lines." Journal of ethnopharmacology 88, no. 2-3 (2003): 125-130.

Cancer: Kartini, Piyaviriyakul S, Thongpraditchote S, Siripong P, Vallisuta O. Effects of Plantago major Extracts and Its Chemical Compounds on Proliferation of Cancer Cells and Cytokines Production of Lipopolysaccharide-activated THP-1 Macrophages. Pharmacogn Mag. 2017 Jul-Sep;13(51):393-399. doi: 10.4103/pm.pm_406_16. Epub 2017 Jul 19. PMID: 28839362; PMCID: PMC5551355.

Carcinoma (Cancer that affects the skin cells): Jasim, Saade Abdalkareem, Bashar Mudhaffar Abdullah, Patricio Yánez-Moretta, Wesam R. Kadhum, Yasser Fakri Mustafa, Enas R. Alwaily, Munther Abosoda, Ali Alsalamy, Sada Ghalib Al-Musawi, and Alaa A. Omran. "The Treatment Effect of Plantago Major on Lung Cancer Based on the Computed Tomography and Pathological Findings: A Case Report Study." Frontiers in Biomedical Technologies (2024).

Cardiovascular Disease (Heart Disease): R Vasanthi, H., N. ShriShriMal, and D. K Das. "Phytochemicals from plants to combat cardiovascular disease." Current medicinal chemistry 19, no. 14 (2012): 2242-2251.

Catarrh (Mucus buildup in the airways): Naderi, Alireza, Seyyed Ali Mozaffarpur, Hoda Shirafkan, Masomeh Bayani, and Zahra Memariani. "Effect of Plantago major on cough severity in acute bronchitis: A double-blind randomized clinical trial." Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine 15, no. 4 (2024): 651.

Chronic Leg Ulcer (CLU): Ghanadian M, Soltani R, Homayouni A, Khorvash F, Jouabadi SM, Abdollahzadeh M. The Effect of Plantago major Hydroalcoholic Extract on the Healing of Diabetic Foot and Pressure Ulcers: A Randomized Open-Label Controlled Clinical Trial. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2024 Sep;23(3):475-481. doi: 10.1177/15347346211070723. Epub 2022 Jan 19. PMID: 35044254; PMCID: PMC11607841.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Possebon, Lucas, Isabella de Souza Lima Lebron, Ligia Furlan da Silva, Julia Tagliaferri Paletta, Bruna Gabrieli Glad, Monielle Sant’Ana, Melina Mizusaki Iyomasa-Pilon et al. "Anti-inflammatory actions of herbal medicines in a model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease induced by cigarette smoke." Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 99 (2018): 591-597.

Cold: Naderi, Alireza, Seyyed Ali Mozaffarpur, Hoda Shirafkan, Masomeh Bayani, and Zahra Memariani. "Effect of Plantago major on cough severity in acute bronchitis: A double-blind randomized clinical trial." Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine 15, no. 4 (2024): 651.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): Najafian, Younes, Shokouh Sadat Hamedi, Masoumeh Kaboli Farshchi, and Zohre Feyzabadi. "Plantago major in Traditional Persian Medicine and modern phytotherapy: a narrative review." Electronic physician 10, no. 2 (2018): 6390.

Contusion (Bruise): Ghanadian M, Soltani R, Homayouni A, Khorvash F, Jouabadi SM, Abdollahzadeh M. The Effect of Plantago major Hydroalcoholic Extract on the Healing of Diabetic Foot and Pressure Ulcers: A Randomized Open-Label Controlled Clinical Trial. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2024 Sep;23(3):475-481. doi: 10.1177/15347346211070723. Epub 2022 Jan 19. PMID: 35044254; PMCID: PMC11607841.

Cough: Naderi, Alireza, Seyyed Ali Mozaffarpur, Hoda Shirafkan, Masomeh Bayani, and Zahra Memariani. "Effect of Plantago major on cough severity in acute bronchitis: A double-blind randomized clinical trial." Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine 15, no. 4 (2024): 651.

Crural Ulcers (Open sores on the lower leg): Ghanadian M, Soltani R, Homayouni A, Khorvash F, Jouabadi SM, Abdollahzadeh M. The Effect of Plantago major Hydroalcoholic Extract on the Healing of Diabetic Foot and Pressure Ulcers: A Randomized Open-Label Controlled Clinical Trial. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2024 Sep;23(3):475-481. doi: 10.1177/15347346211070723. Epub 2022 Jan 19. PMID: 35044254; PMCID: PMC11607841.

Diabetic Leg Ulcer (DLU): Ghanadian M, Soltani R, Homayouni A, Khorvash F, Jouabadi SM, Abdollahzadeh M. The Effect of Plantago major Hydroalcoholic Extract on the Healing of Diabetic Foot and Pressure Ulcers: A Randomized Open-Label Controlled Clinical Trial. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2024 Sep;23(3):475-481. doi: 10.1177/15347346211070723. Epub 2022 Jan 19. PMID: 35044254; PMCID: PMC11607841.

Diabetic Nephropathy (Diabetic Kidney Disease): Haider R, Asghari M, Aliasl F, Aghaali M, Borujerdi R, Saghafi H, Moradi H. Efficacy and safety of Plantago major seeds in patients with diabetic nephropathy: A randomized open-labeled controlled clinical trial. Explore (NY). 2024 Nov-Dec;20(6):103005. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2024.05.003. Epub 2024 May 17. PMID: 38797623.

Dysentery (Infections diarrhea): Olas, Beata, Waldemar Różański, Karina Urbańska, Natalia Sławińska, and Magdalena Bryś. "New Light on Plants and Their Chemical Compounds Used in Polish Folk Medicine to Treat Urinary Diseases." Pharmaceuticals 17, no. 4 (2024): 435.

Dysuria (Painful Urination): Najafian, Younes, Shokouh Sadat Hamedi, Masoumeh Kaboli Farshchi, and Zohre Feyzabadi. "Plantago major in Traditional Persian Medicine and modern phytotherapy: a narrative review." Electronic physician 10, no. 2 (2018): 6390.

Edema (Dropsy/Swelling): Núñez Guillén, María Elena, José Artur da Silva Emim, Caden Souccar, and Antonio José Lapa. "Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract of Plantago major L." International Journal of Pharmacognosy 35, no. 2 (1997): 99-104.

Enteritis (Inflammation of the small intestines): Yarnykh, T. G., I. V. Herasymova, and S. A. Nemyrovskiy. "Overview of the using possibility of plantain in pharmaceutical practice." (2019).

Epistaxis (Nose bleed): Mazinani, J., J. Vatandoost, M. Vaezi Kakhki, and F. Ghorat. "Evaluation of the in vitro effect of ethanolic extract of broadleaf plantain (Plantago major L.) seeds on the blood coagulation process." (2020): fa552-fa558.

Herpes Labialis (Cold sores): Najafian, Younes, Shokouh Sadat Hamedi, Masoumeh Kaboli Farshchi, and Zohre Feyzabadi. "Plantago major in Traditional Persian Medicine and modern phytotherapy: a narrative review." Electronic physician 10, no. 2 (2018): 6390.

Gingivitis (Gum disease): Elanchezhiyan, S., Rajkumar Daniel, K. Mohamed Adhil, K. Vennila, and Gayathri Priyadharshini. "Comparing the Clinical Efficacy of Plantago Major with Chlorhexidine Mouthwash in Patients with Gingivitis-A Clinical Study." Indian Journal of Integrative Medicine 3, no. 2 (2023): 34-37.

Inflammation: Hussan, Farida, Adila Sofea Mansor, Siti Nazihahasma Hassan, Tg Nurul Tasnim Tengku Nor Effendy Kamaruddin, Siti Balkis Budin, and Faizah Othman. "Anti‐inflammatory property of Plantago major leaf extract reduces the inflammatory reaction in experimental acetaminophen‐induced liver injury." Evidence‐Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2015, no. 1 (2015): 347861.

Lyme Disease: Laanet PR, Bragina O, Jõul P, Vaher M. Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata Exhibit Antioxidant and Borrelia burgdorferi Inhibiting Activities. Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Jun 28;25(13):7112. doi: 10.3390/ijms25137112. PMID: 39000214; PMCID: PMC11240987.

Neoplasm (Tumor): Ozaslan, Mehmet, I. Didem Karagöz, M. Emin Kalender, I. Halil Kilic, Ibrahim Sari, and Alper Karagöz. "In vivo antitumoral effect of Plantago major L. extract on Balb/C mouse with Ehrlich ascites tumor." The American journal of Chinese medicine 35, no. 05 (2007): 841-851.

Odontalgia (Toothache): Dakkaki, Jalila, Samir Ibenmoussa, and Mustapha Sidqui. "Contributions of medicinal plants in the treatment of oral diseases." Open Access Library Journal 10, no. 7 (2023): 1-26.

Pressure Ulcers (Bed Sores): Ghiasian M, Niroomandi Z, Dastan D, Poorolajal J, Zare F, Ataei S. Clinical and phytochemical studies of Plantago major in pressure ulcer treatment: A randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2021 May;43:101325. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101325. Epub 2021 Jan 27. PMID: 33548748.

Prostate Cancer: Choi, Eun-Sun, Sung-Dae Cho, Ji-Ae Shin, Ki Han Kwon, Nam-Pyo Cho, and Jung-Hyun Shim. "Althaea rosea Cavanil and Plantago major L. suppress neoplastic cell transformation through the inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor kinase." Molecular medicine reports 6, no. 4 (2012): 843-847.

Stomatitis (Canker sore): Cabrera-Jaime S, Martínez C, Ferro-García T, Giner-Boya P, Icart-Isern T, Estrada-Masllorens JM, Fernández-Ortega P. Efficacy of Plantago major, chlorhexidine 0.12% and sodium bicarbonate 5% solution in the treatment of oral mucositis in cancer patients with solid tumour: A feasibility randomised triple-blind phase III clinical trial. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2018 Feb;32:40-47. doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2017.11.006. Epub 2017 Dec 14. PMID: 29353631.

Thrush (Yeast infection): Shirley KP, Windsor LJ, Eckert GJ, Gregory RL. In Vitro Effects of Plantago Major Extract, Aucubin, and Baicalein on Candida albicans Biofilm Formation, Metabolic Activity, and Cell Surface Hydrophobicity. J Prosthodont. 2017 Aug;26(6):508-515. doi: 10.1111/jopr.12411. Epub 2015 Nov 30. PMID: 26618515.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC): Baghizadeh A, Davati A, Heidarloo AJ, Emadi F, Aliasl J. Efficacy of Plantago major seed in management of ulcerative colitis symptoms: A randomized, placebo controlled, clinical trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2021 Aug;44:101444. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101444. Epub 2021 Jul 10. PMID: 34265576.

Urinary Calculus (Kidney Stones): Aziz SA, See TL, Khuay LY, Osman K, Abu Bakar MA. In vitro effects of plantago major extract on urolithiasis. Malays J Med Sci. 2005 Jul;12(2):22-6. PMID: 22605954; PMCID: PMC3349397.

Urticaria (Skin Hypersensitivity): Yazdian, Mohammad Ali, Mahmood Khodadoost, Mehdi Gheisari, Mohammad Kamalinejad, and Amir Hooshang Ehsani. "A hypothesis on the possible potential of Plantago major in the treatment of urticaria." Galen Medical Journal 3, no. 2 (2014): e244-e244.

Wounds (Abrasions, Cuts, Punctures, Sores): Ghanadian M, Soltani R, Homayouni A, Khorvash F, Jouabadi SM, Abdollahzadeh M. The Effect of Plantago major Hydroalcoholic Extract on the Healing of Diabetic Foot and Pressure Ulcers: A Randomized Open-Label Controlled Clinical Trial. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2024 Sep;23(3):475-481. doi: 10.1177/15347346211070723. Epub 2022 Jan 19. PMID: 35044254; PMCID: PMC11607841.

Other clinical trials have shown plantain to slow or stop the growth of multiple cancers. Here is a link to a published study outlining the cytotoxic effects of Plantago spp., on various types of human cancer cells.

Medicinal Actions:
Alexiteric, Alterative, Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antimitotic, Antineoplastic, Antiseptic, Antitussive, Antitoxin, Antivenin, Antiviral, Astringent, Demulcent, Diuretic, Expectorant, Hemostatic, Hypoglycemic, Laxative, Tonic: Sexual Male, Vulnerary

Action Citations

The fact that studies concerning all of the traditional medicinal actions listed above have not yet been completed, does not mean said actions are invalid. The plants I have included have a long history of effective use, and most were part of the U.S. Pharmacopia prior to the advent of allopathic medicine.

Analgesic (Reduces pain): Keshavarzi A, Montaseri H, Akrami R, Moradi Sarvestani H, Khosravi F, Foolad S, Zardosht M, Zareie S, Saharkhiz MJ, Shahriarirad R. Therapeutic Efficacy of Great Plantain (Plantago major L.) in the Treatment of Second-Degree Burn Wounds: A Case-Control Study. Int J Clin Pract. 2022 Aug 1;2022:4923277. doi: 10.1155/2022/4923277. PMID: 35966146; PMCID: PMC9359829.

Antibacterial (Kills bacteria) Zhakipbekov, Kairat, Aknur Turgumbayeva, Raushan Issayeva, Aliya Kipchakbayeva, Gulnara Kadyrbayeva, Meruyert Tleubayeva, Tamila Akhayeva et al. "Antimicrobial and other biomedical properties of extracts from Plantago major, Plantaginaceae." Pharmaceuticals 16, no. 8 (2023): 1092.

Anticancer (Prevents or delays the development of cancer): Galvez, Marina, Carmen Martın-Cordero, Miguel Lopez-Lazaro, Felipe Cortes, and Marıa Jesús Ayuso. "Cytotoxic effect of Plantago spp. on cancer cell lines." Journal of ethnopharmacology 88, no. 2-3 (2003): 125-130.

Anticatarrhal (Removes excessive mucus from the upper respiratory tract): Naderi, Alireza, Seyyed Ali Mozaffarpur, Hoda Shirafkan, Masomeh Bayani, and Zahra Memariani. "Effect of Plantago major on cough severity in acute bronchitis: A double-blind randomized clinical trial." Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine 15, no. 4 (2024): 651.

Antidiabetic (Helps regulate and reduce blood sugar): Abud MA, Nardello AL, Torti JF. Hypoglycemic Effect due to Insulin Stimulation with Plantago major in Wistar Rats. Med Aromat Plants (Los Angel). 2017;6(3):292. doi: 10.4172/2167-0412.1000292. Epub 2017 Jun 25. PMID: 31511801; PMCID: PMC6738971.

Antidiarrheal (Alleviates diarrhea): Adom MB, Taher M, Mutalabisin MF, Amri MS, Abdul Kudos MB, Wan Sulaiman MWA, Sengupta P, Susanti D. Chemical constituents and medical benefits of Plantago major. Biomed Pharmacother. 2017 Dec;96:348-360. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.09.152. Epub 2017 Oct 10. PMID: 29028587.

Anti-Inflammatory (Helps the body combat inflammation): Triastuti A, Pradana DA, Setiawan ID, Fakhrudin N, Himmi SK, Widyarini S, Rohman A. In vivo anti-inflammatory activities of Plantago major extract and fractions and analysis of their phytochemical components using a high-resolution mass spectrometry. Res Pharm Sci. 2022 Oct 29;17(6):665-676. doi: 10.4103/1735-5362.359433. PMID: 36704431; PMCID: PMC9872180.

Antimicrobial (Helps the body destroy or resist pathogenic organisms): Keshavarzi, Abdolkhalegh, Hashem Montaseri, Rahimeh Akrami, Hossein Moradi Sarvestani, Fateme Khosravi, Sara Foolad, Mitra Zardosht, Saeid Zareie, Mohammad Jamal Saharkhiz, and Reza Shahriarirad. "Therapeutic Efficacy of Great Plantain (Plantago major L.) in the Treatment of Second‐Degree Burn Wounds: A Case‐Control Study." International journal of clinical practice 2022, no. 1 (2022): 4923277.

Antinociceptive (Inhibits the pain sensation): Atta AH, Abo EL-Sooud K. The antinociceptive effect of some Egyptian medicinal plant extracts. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Dec;95(2-3):235-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2004.07.006. PMID: 15507342.

Antiseptic (Inhibits growth of bacteria, and prevent infection, putrefaction, cell decay, and pus formation.): Keshavarzi, Abdolkhalegh, Hashem Montaseri, Rahimeh Akrami, Hossein Moradi Sarvestani, Fateme Khosravi, Sara Foolad, Mitra Zardosht, Saeid Zareie, Mohammad Jamal Saharkhiz, and Reza Shahriarirad. "Therapeutic Efficacy of Great Plantain (Plantago major L.) in the Treatment of Second‐Degree Burn Wounds: A Case‐Control Study." International journal of clinical practice 2022, no. 1 (2022): 4923277.

Antitumor (Inhibits the growth of tumors): Ozaslan, Mehmet, I. Didem Karagöz, M. Emin Kalender, I. Halil Kilic, Ibrahim Sari, and Alper Karagöz. "In vivo antitumoral effect of Plantago major L. extract on Balb/C mouse with Ehrlich ascites tumor." The American journal of Chinese medicine 35, no. 05 (2007): 841-851.

Antitussive (Reduces or prevents cough): Naderi, Alireza, Seyyed Ali Mozaffarpur, Hoda Shirafkan, Masomeh Bayani, and Zahra Memariani. "Effect of Plantago major on cough severity in acute bronchitis: A double-blind randomized clinical trial." Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine 15, no. 4 (2024): 651.

Aphrodisiac (Increases sexual potency or excitement): text

Astringent (Helps dry up mucous discharge, tones local blood vessels and varicosities, and stops bleeding): Pasupuleti MK, Nagate RR, Alqahtani SM, Penmetsa GS, Gottumukkala SNVS, Ramesh KSV. Role of Medicinal Herbs in Periodontal Therapy: A Systematic Review. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2023 Feb 27;13(1):9-16. doi: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_210_22. PMID: 37153928; PMCID: PMC10155875.

Expectorant (Helps the body to remove excess mucous from the lungs.): Kakhramanova, S. D., D. O. Bokov, T. D. Rendyuk, Valdimaras Janulis, M. Sakr, I. A. Samylina, O. G. Potanina, A. V. Nikulin, and R. A. Nasser. "Evaluation of the nomenclature of herbal expectorants on Russian pharmaceutical market: current status and future prospects." Systematic Reviews in Pharmacy 11, no. 6 (2020): 196-205.

Hemostatic (Acts to arrest bleeding or hemorrhage): Bagheri, Amin, Gholamreza Amin, Seyed Mohammad Tavangar, Matineh Heidari, and Jamshid Bagheri. "Safety and hemostatic effect of Achillea millefolium L. in localized bleeding." In Hepatology Forum, vol. 5, no. 1, p. 25. Turkish Association for the Study of the Liver, 2024.

Hypoglycemic (Helps regulate and reduce blood sugar): Abud MA, Nardello AL, Torti JF. Hypoglycemic Effect due to Insulin Stimulation with Plantago major in Wistar Rats. Med Aromat Plants (Los Angel). 2017;6(3):292. doi: 10.4172/2167-0412.1000292. Epub 2017 Jun 25. PMID: 31511801; PMCID: PMC6738971.

Laxative (Promotes contractions of the bowels to stimulate removal of feces): Hriscu A, Stănescu U, Ionescu A, Verbuţă A. Investigarea farmacodinamică a influenţei substanţelor poliholozidice extrase din Plantago sp. asupra tractului digestiv [A pharmacodynamic investigation of the effect of polyholozidic substances extracted from Plantago sp. on the digestive tract]. Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi. 1990 Jan-Mar;94(1):165-70. Romanian. PMID: 2075322.

Vermifuge (Promotes expulsion of intestinal worms): Lans C, Turner N, Khan T, Brauer G. Ethnoveterinary medicines used to treat endoparasites and stomach problems in pigs and pets in British Columbia, Canada. Vet Parasitol. 2007 Sep 30;148(3-4):325-40. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.06.014. Epub 2007 Jul 12. PMID: 17628343.

Vulnerary (Helps wounds or inflammations to heal): Keshavarzi A, Montaseri H, Akrami R, Moradi Sarvestani H, Khosravi F, Foolad S, Zardosht M, Zareie S, Saharkhiz MJ, Shahriarirad R. Therapeutic Efficacy of Great Plantain (Plantago major L.) in the Treatment of Second-Degree Burn Wounds: A Case-Control Study. Int J Clin Pract. 2022 Aug 1;2022:4923277. doi: 10.1155/2022/4923277. PMID: 35966146; PMCID: PMC9359829.

Constituents:

Flower: Asperuloside

Leaf: 3,4-dihydroaucubin, 6'-0-beta-glucosylaucubin, Apigenin, Apigenin-7-glucoside, Aucubin, Baicalein, Benzoic-acid, Catalpol, Fumaric-acid, Hispidulin, Hydroxycinnamic-acid, Luteolin, Neo-chlorogenic-acid, Nepetin, Oleanolic-acid, Plantagoside, Scutellarin

Plant: Acetoside, Adenine, Alkaloids, Allantoin, Ascorbic-acid, Aucubin, Baicalin, Caffeic-acid, Chlorogenic-acid, Cinnamic-acid, Citric-acid, D-glucose, D-xylose, Di-o-methylgalactose, Emulsin, Eo, Ferulic-acid, Geniposidic-acid, Gentisic-acid, Glucoraphenine, Indicaine, Invertin, L-fructose, Lignoceric-acid, Loliolid, Luteolin-7-o-beta-d-glucoside, Luteolin-7-o-beta-d-glucuronide, Mucilage, P-coumaric-acid, P-hydroxy-benzoic-acid, Phenolcarbonic-acids, Plantagic-acis, Plantagonine, Planteolic-acid, Potassium-salts, Resin, Rhamnose, Saccharose, Salicylic-acid, Sitosterol, Sorbitol, Succinic-acid, Sulforaphane, Syringic-acid, Syringin, Tannin, Tyrosine, Tyrosol, Ursolic-acid, Vanillic-acid

Seed: Ascorbic-acid, Ash, Aucubin, Beta-carotene, Calcium, Choline, Chromium, Cobalt, Fat, Fiber, Fiber(crude), Fiber(dietary), Gum, Iron, Linoleic-acid, Linolenic-acid, Magnesium, Manganese, Mucilage, Niacin, Oleic-acid, Phosphorus, Plantease, Potassium, Protein, Riboflavin, Selenium, Silicon, Sodium, Thiamine, Water, Zinc

Shoot: Calcium