Broadleaf Plantain
Plantago major
T Traditional useBroadleaf plantain is traditionally used as a tea for mouth and throat irritation and dry cough, and as a fresh leaf on minor skin wounds.
Image: Herbadex Botanik Stüdyosu · Özel Üretim
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At a glance
Broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) is a roadside plant with prominent leaf veins. Like its relative ribwort plantain, it contains mucilage, aucubin and tannins. It is traditionally used as a tea for mouth and throat irritation and dry cough, and the crushed fresh leaf for minor wounds, insect stings and spots. There are no clinical studies; the EMA assessment covers ribwort only.
Updated: October 15, 2026
ℹ Compiled from standard pharmacognosy references and clinical literature summaries where no formal EMA monograph exists.
What is it used for?
T Traditional use
Traditional use: Based on at least 30 years of documented traditional use rather than clinical trials.
How do we rate evidence levels? →Traditionally used for mouth and throat irritation and dry cough. [1]
T Traditional use
Traditional use: Based on at least 30 years of documented traditional use rather than clinical trials.
How do we rate evidence levels? →The crushed fresh leaf is traditionally used for minor skin wounds and insect stings. [1]
How is it used?
Safety & interactions
Minimum age: 3 years
- Do not use on deep, dirty or infected wounds; see a doctor.
- See a doctor if a cough lasts over 1 week or comes with fever or breathlessness.
- Large amounts of mucilage may delay absorption of medicines.
- Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been shown; ask a doctor before use.
Drug interactions
| Medicine / substance | Effect | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Medicines taken at the same time | Mucilage may delay absorption; leave 30–60 minutes apart. [2] | Minor |
Side effects
- Rarely allergy
⚕ When to see a doctor
- If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops
- If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen
- If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs
Did you know?
Native Americans called broadleaf plantain "white man's footprint" because it appeared wherever Europeans went. [1]
Frequently asked questions
Is broadleaf plantain the same as ribwort?
No. They are relatives; ribwort has narrow leaves, broadleaf plantain wide ones.
Does plantain help wounds?
It is traditionally used on minor wounds; see a doctor for deep or infected ones.
Does plantain tea help cough?
It is traditionally used for dry cough; there are no clinical studies.
Sources
- WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants (Volumes 1–4)World Health Organization · 2009
- ESCOP Monographs: The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal ProductsESCOP · 2019
Cite This Page
Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/broadleaf-plantain/
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