Phytotherapy · Respiratory & Skin Soothing · Plantaginaceae

Plantain

Plantago major, P. lanceolata and P. intermedia (Plantaginaceae) — the humble roadside rosette herb, known as the “five-stitch herb”. Its mucilage, iridoids and acteoside underlie a long use for cough, allergic reactions and insect stings, now supported by trials in children's cough and radiotherapy-induced mucositis.

19 Primary Refs
12 Properties
Leaf Parts Used
✦ Researched
Last Updated October 25, 2026
Primary Source Wikiphyto · NCBI PubMed · Mucositis Trial
Family Plantaginaceae
Perennial Rosette Herb · Europe & Western Asia

Botanical Overview

Plantains are perennial herbs with a rosette of basal leaves and converging veins. The leaves are oval in P. major and lance-shaped in P. lanceolata. Simple, upright stems carry dense cylindrical or ovoid spikes of green flowers. The plants grow on waste ground in Europe, North Africa and western Asia.

HabitPerennial rosette herb
HabitatWaste ground
FlowersGreen, dense spikes
SpeciesThree covered
Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomy & Identification

Latin Names
Plantago major L.; Plantago lanceolata L.; Plantago intermedia L.
Family
Plantaginaceae
Common Names
Plantain, Hare's Ear (Oreille de lièvre), Five-Stitch Herb (Herbe à cinq coutures)
Parts Used
Leaf, whole plant, juice
Regulatory Status
French Pharmacopoeia, list A (leaf); activity recognized by the German Commission E for P. major and P. lanceolata
Ethnobotany & Traditional Use

History & Tradition

The name comes from the Latin planta (sole of the foot) and ago (I grow), “it grows under the foot”, because the plant thrives on trampled ground.

Introduced to America with the settlers, it is said that Native Americans called it “white man's foot”, since seeds carried on shoe soles made it appear wherever the settlers walked.

Modern research has focused on its respiratory and anti-allergic effects, with randomized trials of plantain syrups in children's cough and radiotherapy-induced mucositis. 1719

⚠ Species Differ

Individual studies tested P. lanceolata or P. major, so findings on one species should not be assumed to apply to the others. 16

Timeline

“It Grows Under the Foot”

Etymology

From the Latin planta and ago.

Spread to the Americas

Colonial Era

Seeds in settlers' shoe soles carried it across the continent.

Commission E Recognition

Modern Regulation

The German Commission E recognizes P. major and P. lanceolata.

Randomized Trials

2020 – 2021

Trials in radiotherapy-induced mucositis and children's cough.

The Key Compounds

Iridoids & Acteoside — Deep Dive

The iridoids, phenylethanoids, flavonoids and mucilages that account for plantain's activity.

🧪

Iridoids (Aucubin & Catalpol, 2–3%)

Aucubin, catalpol, asperuloside and globularin; the anti-inflammatory activity is attributed to the iridoids (catalpol) and to apigenin, and aucubin is uricosuric.

🧬

Acteoside (Verbascoside, 3–8%)

The main phenylethanoid, with isoacteoside, plantamajoside and lavandulifolioside; phenylethanoids inhibited arachidonic acid-induced mouse ear edema. 2

🌼

Apigenin & Luteolin

Flavonoids behind the anti-inflammatory and smooth-muscle antispasmodic action of the extract. 1

💧

Mucilages (2–6.5%)

Arabinogalactan, glucomannan, rhamnogalacturonan and rhamnoarabinogalactan; a Plantago major pectin has shown immunomodulatory action against respiratory pathogens. 12

Pharmaceutical Preparations

Parts Used & Available Forms

The leaf, the whole plant and the juice are used, with a mother tincture and a standardized extract as the documented forms.

Leaf

The main part used, listed in the French Pharmacopoeia (list A).

Leaf

Whole Plant

The aerial parts of the plant, used in phytotherapy.

Whole Plant

Juice

The fresh juice (suc) of the plant.

Fresh Juice

Mother Tincture

Teinture-mère of the whole plant.

Liquid Extract

EPS Extract

Standardized fresh-plant extract (EPS).

Standardized Extract

Syrup (Studied)

Syrups of plantain were tested in a radiotherapy mucositis trial and, as part of a blend, in children's cough. 1719

Syrup

Clinical Dosimetry

Dosages

No standardized usual dosage has been established for plantain; dosing should be guided by a qualified practitioner.

Phytochemistry

Composition

Constituents of the whole plant; no gemmotherapy (bud) or essential-oil fraction is documented for plantain.

Whole Plant — Primary Constituents

Mucilages (2–6.5%)Arabinogalactan, glucomannan, rhamnogalacturonan and rhamnoarabinogalactan
Major
Iridoids (2–3%)Aucubin, catalpol, asperuloside, globularin and derivatives
Present
PhenylethanoidsActeoside (verbascoside, 3–8%), isoacteoside, plantamajoside and lavandulifolioside
Present
FlavonoidsApigenin, luteolin and derivatives
Present
Tannins (6.5%)Present in the whole plant
Present

Phenolic Acids & Other Constituents

Phenolic Acidsp-Hydroxybenzoic, protocatechuic, gentisic, chlorogenic and caffeic acids, among others
Present
SaponinsPresent in the whole plant
Present
Silicic AcidMore than 1%
Present
AllantoinPresent in the whole plant
Present
Zinc CarbonateThe plant concentrates zinc carbonate
Present

Plant Properties — Pharmacodynamics

Twelve pharmacodynamic properties are documented for plantain, led by its anti-inflammatory, antitussive and antihistaminic effects.

12 Properties Anti-Inflammatory Antitussive Clinical Trials
🌼

Anti-Inflammatory & Spasmolytic

Anti-inflammatory (apigenin) and antispasmodic on smooth muscle; phenylethanoids reduced mouse ear edema. 12

🧪

Nitric Oxide Inhibition

Possible anti-inflammatory action through inhibition of nitric oxide production by macrophages, with COX effects. 5

😷

Antitussive & Mucolytic

Antitussive in guinea pigs, comparable to codeine, and indicated in respiratory tract conditions; mucilages and tannins add a mucolytic effect. 34

🫃

Antiulcer

Antiulcer activity of Plantago major is described in a review of its traditional uses. 6

🤧

Antihistaminic

Inhibits mast-cell degranulation and histamine release in laboratory models. 78

⚗️

5-Lipoxygenase & COX Inhibition

Acteoside and plantamajoside inhibit 5-lipoxygenase in vitro; aucubin and phenolic acids inhibit cyclo-oxygenase (no references given).

✨

Antioxidant

Antioxidant and inhibits lipid peroxidation in methanol extracts of Plantago species. 9

🧬

Antiviral

Phenolic compounds are active in vitro against herpesvirus and adenovirus. 1011

🛡️

Immunomodulatory

Polysaccharides increase TNF-alpha, the extract is potentially anticancer, and intravenous administration induces interferon. 1213

🫀

Hepatoprotective

Protected the liver and was anti-inflammatory in an animal model; also described as cholesterol-lowering. 14

🦠

Antibacterial & Uricosuric

Antibacterial, especially the fresh plant (aucubin), and uricosuric through aucubin (no references given).

🩹

Wound Healing & Soothing

Hemostatic, promotes healing, softening, anti-itch and locally antihistaminic (no references given).

Clinical Applications

Clinical Indications

Plantain's documented uses are respiratory and anti-allergic, with two recent randomized trials; external uses are traditional.

😷
Cough & Respiratory Tract
Primary Indication
  • Bronchitis: acute and chronic bronchitis; a Plantago major preparation was tested in chronic bronchitis. 18
  • Children's Cough: a syrup blend with Plantago major reduced the severity and duration of coughing fits in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. 19
  • Upper Airways: laryngitis, asthma-like cough and allergic rhinitis; anti-inflammatory action in upper respiratory tract infections. 4
🤧
Allergy & Hypersensitivity
Traditional & Early Clinical
  • Urticaria: an aqueous extract of Plantago major has been proposed and evaluated in acute urticaria. 1516
  • Hypersensitivity Reactions: used internally for reactions of hypersensitivity.
🦷
Oral Mucositis & Digestive
Clinical & Traditional Indication
  • Radiotherapy Mucositis: a Plantago major syrup was tested in head and neck cancer patients in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. 17
  • Digestive Tract: gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcers, diarrhea and colitis.
  • Urinary: hematuria.
🩹
External Use
Traditional Indication
  • Skin & Mucosal Lesions: fistulas, ulcers and hemorrhoids.
  • Insect Stings: wasp and bee stings.
Pharmacodynamics

Mode of Action

The mechanisms below are presumed rather than established, as given in the source.

💧

Emollient Hydrocolloid

The mucilage retains water and forms a protective layer, which accounts for the soothing and emollient effect.

🌼

Iridoids & Apigenin

The anti-inflammatory activity is attributed to the iridoids (catalpol) and to apigenin. 1

⚗️

PAF-Acether Inhibition

Inhibition of platelet-activating factor (PAF-acether) is described as part of the anti-inflammatory action.

🧬

Estrogen Synthesis

Apigenin is thought to block one step in the synthesis of estrogens.

🔥

Heat Sensitivity

Heat denatures β-glucosidase, which releases aucubigenin from aucubin, so forms prepared without heat are recommended.

Clinical Safety

Safety & Interactions

Plantain is not known to be toxic; the only documented precaution concerns pregnancy and breastfeeding.

⚠️

Adverse Effects & Precautions

  • Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: safety has not been established, and use is discouraged.
  • Toxicity Studies: no reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity or carcinogenicity has been reported (no references given).
  • Preparation: forms made without heat are recommended, because heat alters aucubin.
🚫

Contraindications & Regulation

  • Contraindications: none beyond pregnancy and breastfeeding are mentioned.
  • Drug Interactions: none are listed in the source literature.
  • Regulatory Status: French Pharmacopoeia, list A (leaf).
  • Commission E: activity recognized for P. major and P. lanceolata.
Clinical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before using plantain, particularly in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or for children's cough.
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is plantain used for?
Plantain (Plantago major, P. lanceolata and P. intermedia) is used internally for cough, bronchitis, laryngitis and allergic rhinitis, and for urticaria and oral mucositis, and externally on insect stings, ulcers, fistulas and hemorrhoids. The leaf is the main part used.
Does plantain help with cough?
A plantain extract had antitussive activity comparable to codeine in guinea pigs, and a syrup containing Plantago major reduced the severity and duration of coughing fits in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in children. The syrup was a multi-herb blend.
Can plantain help with allergies and hives?
Plantain extracts inhibit histamine release from mast cells in laboratory studies, and an aqueous extract of Plantago major has been evaluated in acute urticaria. The evidence is early and limited.
Does plantain help with oral mucositis after radiotherapy?
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial tested a Plantago major syrup on oral mucositis induced by radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients.
What is the usual plantain dosage?
No standardized usual dosage has been established for plantain; dosing should be guided by a qualified practitioner.
Is plantain safe in pregnancy?
Safety has not been established during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and use is discouraged. No other contraindication or drug interaction is listed in the source literature.
What is the difference between Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata?
Plantago major has oval leaves and Plantago lanceolata has lance-shaped ones. Both are recognized by the German Commission E and listed in the French Pharmacopoeia, but individual studies tested one or the other, so findings should not be assumed to carry over.
What are the active compounds of plantain?
Plantain contains mucilages (2 to 6.5%), iridoids such as aucubin and catalpol (2 to 3%), the phenylethanoid acteoside (3 to 8%), flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin), tannins (about 6.5%) and silicic acid.
Is plantain antiviral?
Extracts of Plantago major and Plantago asiatica showed in vitro activity against herpes viruses and adenovirus, attributed to phenolic compounds. These are laboratory findings.
Sources

Bibliography

↑1. Fleer H, Verspohl EJ. Antispasmodic activity of an extract from Plantago lanceolata L. and some isolated compounds. Phytomedicine. 2007;14(6):409–415.
PubMed: PMID 17298877 →
↑2. Murai M, Tamayama Y, Nishibe S. Phenylethanoids in the herb of Plantago lanceolata and inhibitory effect on arachidonic acid-induced mouse ear edema. Planta Med. 1995;61(5):479–480.
PubMed: PMID 7480214 →
↑3. Boskabadi M, Rakhshandah H, Afiat M, Aelami Z, Amiri S. Antitussive effect of Plantago lanceolata in guinea pigs. Iran J Med Sci. 2006;31(3):143–146.
↑4. Wegener T, Kraft K. Plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.): anti-inflammatory action in upper respiratory tract infections. Wien Med Wochenschr. 1999;149(8–10):211–216.
PubMed: PMID 10483683 →
↑5. Vigo E, Cepeda A, Gualillo O, Perez-Fernandez R. In-vitro anti-inflammatory activity of Pinus sylvestris and Plantago lanceolata extracts: effect on inducible NOS, COX-1, COX-2 and their products in J774A.1 murine macrophages. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2005;57(3):383–391.
PubMed: PMID 15807995 →
↑6. Samuelsen AB. The traditional uses, chemical constituents and biological activities of Plantago major L. A review. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000;71(1–2):1–21.
PubMed: PMID 10904143 →
↑7. Ikawati Z, Wahyuono S, Maeyama K. Screening of several Indonesian medicinal plants for their inhibitory effect on histamine release from RBL-2H3 cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 2001;75(2–3):249–256.
PubMed: PMID 11297859 →
↑8. Bak JP, Kim JB, Park JH, Yang YJ, Kim IS, Choung ES, Kang SC. Screening and compound isolation from natural plants for anti-allergic activity. J Korean Soc Appl Biol Chem. 2011;54(3):367–375.
DOI: 10.3839/jksabc.2011.058 →
↑9. Gálvez M, Martín-Cordero C, Houghton PJ, Ayuso MJ. Antioxidant activity of methanol extracts obtained from Plantago species. J Agric Food Chem. 2005;53(6):1927–1933.
↑10. Chiang LC, Chiang W, Chang MY, Ng LT, Lin CC. Antiviral activity of Plantago major extracts and related compounds in vitro. Antiviral Res. 2002;55(1):53–62.
PubMed: PMID 12076751 →
↑11. Chiang LC, Chiang W, Chang MY, Lin CC. In vitro cytotoxic, antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of Plantago major and Plantago asiatica. Am J Chin Med. 2003;31(2):225–234.
↑12. Hetland G. Anti-infective action of immunomodulating polysaccharides (β-glucan and Plantago major L. pectin) against intracellular (Mycobacteria sp.) and extracellular (Streptococcus pneumoniae sp.) respiratory pathogens. Curr Med Chem Anti-Infective Agents. 2003;2:135–146.
↑13. Chiang LC, Chiang W, Chang MY, Lin CC. In vitro cytotoxic, antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of Plantago major and Plantago asiatica. Am J Chin Med. 2003;31(2):225–234. (Same study as reference 11, cited a second time in the original source.)
PubMed: PMID 12856861 →
↑14. Türel I, Ozbek H, Erten R, Oner AC, Cengiz N, Yilmaz O. Hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities of Plantago major L. Indian J Pharmacol. 2009;41(3):120–124.
PubMed: PMID 20442819 →
↑15. Yazdian MA, Khodadoost M, Gheisari M, Kamalinejad M, Ehsani A, Barikbin B. A hypothesis on the possible potential of Plantago major in the treatment of urticaria (hypothesis). Galen Med J. 2014;3(2):123–126.
↑16. Yazdian MA, Gheisari M, Khodadoost M, Barikbin B, Yazdian M, Askarfarashah M, Kamalinejad M. Evaluation of Plantago major aqueous extract in treatment of acute urticaria. Int J Biosci. 2014;5(3):182–188.
↑17. Soltani GM, Hemati S, Sarvizadeh M, Kamalinejad M, Tafazoli V, Latifi SA. Efficacy of the Plantago major L. syrup on radiation induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Complement Ther Med. 2020;51:102397.
PubMed: PMID 32507421 →
↑18. Matev M, Angelova I, Koĭchev A, Leseva M, Stefanov G. Klinichno izpitvane na preparat ot Plantago major za lechenie na khronichni bronkhiti [Clinical trial of a Plantago major preparation in the treatment of chronic bronchitis]. Vutr Boles. 1982;21(2):133–137. (Bulgarian)
PubMed: PMID 7101883 →
↑19. Carnevali I, La Paglia R, Pauletto L, et al. Efficacy and safety of the syrup “KalobaTUSS®” as a treatment for cough in children: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. BMC Pediatr. 2021;21:29.
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-020-02490-2 →

Additional Sources

Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, eds. Expanded Commission E Monographs. American Botanical Council, Integrative Medicine Communications. 2000.
Schulz V, Hänsel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physicians' Guide to Herbal Medicine. 4th ed. Springer. 2001; p. 181.
EMEA. Community herbal monograph.
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