Plantain: Benefits, Uses and Precautions

Dr. Boris Wydoff

Greater plantain is a perennial herbaceous plant found along roadsides, in vacant lots and gardens. According to herbal medicine references, its leaves contain mucilage, tannins, the glycoside aucubin, vitamins C and K. They have traditionally been used for coughs, gastritis with low acidity, and externally — for wounds, cuts and abscesses.

What kind of plant it is and how to recognize it

Greater plantain is a plant from the plantain family. It has a short vertical rhizome and a tuft of fibrous white roots. The leaves are collected in a basal rosette; they are broadly ovate, up to 20 cm long. The leaf has 5–9 prominent arched veins. The flower stalk is leafless and ends with a dense spike-like inflorescence. The plant blooms from May until autumn.

According to reference books, one plant produces from 8 to 60 thousand seeds. This is why it spreads quickly and becomes a weed in gardens. Plantain is recognizable by its broad leaves with arched veins and spike-like inflorescences.

Similar species are medium plantain and greater plantain? The related species are used similarly in folk medicine, but the main species described in official references is greater plantain.

Young leaves are edible. They are added to salads and vegetable dishes. But more often the plant is considered medicinal.

Folk names and the history of the name

The Russian name "podorozhnik" is connected with its habitat near roads. In folk tradition it is also called "poreznik" and "rannik" — because of its ability to heal wounds. The Latin name Plantago comes from words meaning "foot" and "to move": the leaves resemble a footprint, and the plant is found at every step. Native Americans used the appearance of plantain to identify places where Europeans had already been: the seeds were carried on shoe soles and wheels. Avicenna also used plantain leaves as a hemostatic and wound-healing remedy.

How to distinguish it from similar species

Medium plantain has elliptical leaves, smaller in size, with short stalks and covered with hairs on both sides. The flower stalk is very long, round and smooth, rising far above the leaves. The spike-like inflorescence is short; when fruits ripen, it becomes more than twice as long. The flowers are pale pink. The plant is 30–50 cm tall. Greater plantain is a perennial rough-haired plant 30–70 cm tall. Its leaves are broadly ovate-elliptical on long stalks, and the inflorescence is a dense long cylindrical spike. It grows on salty meadows in floodplains and near lagoons. Greater plantain has smooth, broadly ovate leaves with 5–9 prominent arched veins.

Why greater plantain is useful: main properties

Herbal medicine references describe the following effects of plantain leaves and preparations:

• hemostatic,
• wound-healing,
• antimicrobial,
• anti-inflammatory,
• enveloping,
• expectorant,
• astringent,
• mild laxative,
• antipyretic.

In addition, plantain stimulates appetite and gastric juice secretion.

The chemical composition of the leaves includes polysaccharides, mucilage, pectin, the glycoside aucubin, iridoids, bitter and tannin substances, choline, organic acids, flavonoids, carotene, vitamin C and vitamin K. The leaves also contain mineral salts, including potassium salts, which participate in regulating water balance.

Breathing. Leaf infusion increases the activity of cilia in the respiratory tract lining. Bronchial mucus secretion increases, phlegm becomes thinner and is expelled more easily. Therefore, the infusion is described as an expectorant supportive remedy for bronchitis, whooping cough, bronchial asthma and tuberculosis. These conditions require mandatory medical supervision. Plantain does not replace the main treatment; self-treatment with herbs for such diagnoses is unacceptable.

Stomach and intestines. Fresh leaf juice is used for chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers with normal or low acidity, as well as chronic colitis. In folk medicine, a water decoction of the whole plant is taken for gastritis, diarrhea and ulcers. According to references, the preparation "Plantaglucid" was obtained from a water extract of the leaves and was used for gastric and duodenal ulcers. With ulcers and gastritis, it is important to remain under medical supervision.

Wounds and skin. Fresh leaves are applied to wounds, abscesses, boils, bruises, cuts and diaper rash. Wounds are also washed with a decoction or treated with juice. In experiments, leaf extract reduced purulent discharge, accelerated granulation growth and epithelialization.

Other uses. In folk medicine, plantain decoction was taken for kidney diseases, high blood pressure and to improve appetite. Leaf extract showed sedative and hypotensive effects in studies. The plant's hemostatic properties are mentioned for gastrointestinal and hemorrhoidal bleeding. Any bleeding is a reason for urgent medical care, not for self-treatment with herbs.

Historical use

Avicenna used plantain leaves as a hemostatic and wound-healing remedy. In folk medicine, greater plantain and medium plantain were used for many different conditions: a water decoction of the whole plant was taken for gastritis, diarrhea, ulcers, kidney diseases, cough, pulmonary tuberculosis, to improve appetite, for heart disease and high blood pressure. Fresh leaves were rubbed on irritated feet, powder from dried herb was sprinkled on unclean fistulous abscesses and wounds, and fresh leaves were applied to boils.

How greater plantain is used: infusion, decoction, juice

Plantain leaves are brewed like tea and drunk for coughs as an expectorant. Herbal references describe both cold extraction and ordinary infusion. For greater plantain, one reference gives the form: 2 teaspoons of herb — cold extraction or infusion. The same reference gives a dose of liquid extract of 20–40 drops for lance-leaved plantain, but this does not apply to greater plantain.

Juice from fresh leaves is preserved by adding 20% alcohol. Externally, this juice is used as a wound-healing remedy. Internally, it is used for anacid gastritis and chronic colitis.

A ready-made plantain juice is also described in references. It consists of a mixture of equal volumes of juice from freshly collected leaves of greater plantain and the herb of psyllium plantain. It is taken 1 tablespoon 3 times a day 15–20 minutes before meals, diluted in 1/4 cup of water, for 30 days. Do not exceed the stated doses.

Plantaglucid and preserved juice

From fresh herb — leaves and flower stalks of greater plantain or the herb of psyllium plantain — juice is obtained by pressing on the day of collection. The juice is preserved or dried into powder. Granules called plantaglucid are prepared from the powder. Preserved juice and plantaglucid have bactericidal properties and are recommended for gastrointestinal diseases, colitis, low acidity, gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.

How to brew greater plantain: simple recipes

The simplest method is to brew the leaves like tea. This tea is drunk for coughs. In herbal mixtures, plantain leaves are more often used together with other plants.

Below are formulas from herbal medicine references.

Mixture for easier phlegm removal:

• licorice root — 3 parts,
• plantain leaves — 3 parts,
• coltsfoot leaves — 4 parts.

The infusion is taken 1/4 cup 4–5 times a day.

Mixture for thick purulent phlegm:

• thyme herb — 25.0,
• violet tricolor herb — 20.0,
• pine buds — 20.0,
• greater plantain leaves — 15.0,
• marsh cudweed herb — 10.0.

The warm infusion is taken 1/4 cup 4–5 times a day before meals.

Mixture with pine buds:

• pine buds — 30.0,
• plantain leaves — 30.0,
• coltsfoot leaves — 30.0.

The infusion is taken 1/4 cup 4–6 times a day before meals.

Folk mixtures with plantain

In folk medicine, a water decoction of the whole greater or medium plantain plant was taken for stomach catarrh, gastritis, diarrhea and ulcers. We will give several mixtures mentioned in herbal books.

Mixture for stomach catarrh: greater plantain (whole plant), common juniper (berries), St. John's wort (herb), motherwort (herb). The water decoction is taken for stomach catarrh.

Mixture for gastritis: greater plantain (whole plant), centaury (herb), bitter wormwood (herb), common juniper (berries). The water decoction is taken for gastritis.

These mixtures are described in folk medicine; they should not be used without a doctor for serious diagnoses.

How to collect and store

Greater plantain leaves are collected during flowering — in June–July, before wilting begins. They are picked by hand with small remnants of stalks.

The leaves are dried in the shade: in attics, under shelters, outdoors or in dryers at a temperature of 40–50°C.

The finished raw material consists of green leaves with short broken stalks. There is no smell. The taste is slightly bitter and mildly astringent.

Store dry leaves in a dry place protected from light. Fresh raw material for juice is processed on the day of collection.

Food use of young leaves

Young leaves of greater plantain, like lance-leaved plantain, are collected before flowering, thoroughly washed, and the protruding stringy veins on the underside are removed. They are eaten raw in salads, with cottage cheese dishes, prepared as boiled vegetables or green soups, often mixed with other herbs.

How to find greater plantain abroad

To avoid confusing species, look specifically for *Plantago major L.*. The plant's names differ in different countries:

• USA: broadleaf plantain, common plantain.
• Germany: Breitwegerich.
• France: grand plantain, plantain majeur.
• Latin: *Plantago major L.*

Important: Spitzwegerich and plantain lancéolé are another species, *Plantago lanceolata*.

In what form it is sold

When buying, focus primarily on leaves (leaf / Blätter / feuilles). Dried loose leaves for infusion, tinctures and liquid extracts are available. In France, capsules with leaf powder can be found. Packaged tea labeled *P. major* is available online. Flowers, roots and fruits should not be substituted for leaves; seeds sold under the name psyllium / Flohsamen may belong to another species.

Where to look

• USA: herbal stores and health stores, online.
• Germany: herbal and tea shops, Reformhaus, online; ask about the species at an Apotheke.
• France: herboristerie, natural product stores, online; tinctures can be found in a pharmacie.

Check the packaging for *Plantago major L.*, the plant part, full composition and product status. For organic origin, look for organic / Bio / biologique. In the USA, dietary supplements do not receive prior FDA approval for safety and effectiveness; sales rules depend on the country.

Contraindications and precautions

According to references, plantain preparations are contraindicated in gastric ulcers with high acidity and hyperacid gastritis. This is an important limitation.

Do not use plantain if you have a known allergy to plants of the Plantago genus, their pollen or psyllium. Sneezing, watery eyes, congestion or chest tightness are possible. Severe allergic reactions are rare. Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, shortness of breath or generalized hives require emergency help.

Products containing psyllium seeds or mucilage should not be used with intestinal obstruction, fecal impaction, gastrointestinal strictures, difficulty swallowing or esophageal diseases. They must always be taken with enough liquid. This mainly concerns psyllium seeds, not leaf infusion.

Interactions with lithium, carbamazepine and antidiabetic medicines have been described for psyllium products. If you take any medications, discuss plantain use with your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use medicinal doses or extracts on their own. There is not enough safety data.

Children should not be given concentrated preparations without a pediatrician's recommendation. Dry powdered forms without enough liquid are especially dangerous because of the risk of choking.

Side effects most often described for psyllium products include flatulence, bloating, nausea, vomiting and dyspepsia. This does not mean that leaf infusion will cause the same reactions, but caution is still advisable.

When a doctor is needed

See a doctor if after use you develop a rash, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing or chest pain. Do not stop prescribed treatment and do not replace it with plantain.

Always consult a doctor during pregnancy, breastfeeding, chronic diseases, or when taking lithium, carbamazepine, antidiabetic medicines or other drugs. Children should receive any concentrated forms only after consultation with a pediatrician.

Herbs can be useful, but they do not cancel a diagnosis and do not replace a doctor. This is especially important with cough accompanied by fever, blood in stool, prolonged abdominal pain or a wound that does not heal.

Boris Wydoff — naturopath and author, Ph.D. in nutrition. For over fifty years I have helped people restore health through nutrition, cleansing and the power of the mind — in Europe, America and Asia. About the author →

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