Great Plantain (Plantago major) Research

Latin Name: Plantago major

Family: Plantaginaceae

Great plantain is a common weed with many health benefits.  All parts of the plant are used both topically and internally.

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action.  This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

GENERAL 

• Samuelsen, A. B. (2000). The traditional uses, chemical constituents and biological activities of Plantago major L. A review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 71, 1-21.
• Natural Standard.  (2015).  Great Plantain Monograph.  www.naturalstandard.com.
• ACHS (2017). Course Material: Herb502: Great Plantain Monograph.  www.achs.edu

ANTIVIRAL / ANTIBACTERIAL

• Caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid from the plantain plant showed antiviral activity.  From:  Chiang, L. C., Chiang, W., Chang, M. Y., Ng, L. T., & Lin, C. C. (2002). Antiviral activity of Plantago major extracts and related compounds in vitro. Antiviral research, 55(1), 53-62.  Link:
• Aucubin, an iridoid glycoside suppressed hepatitis B virus DNA replication in vitro.   From:  Chang, I. M. (1997). Antiviral activity of aucubin against hepatitis B virus replication. Phytotherapy research, 11(3), 189-192.
• The study assessed the protective effect of plantain against S. pneumoniae in mice.  From:  Hetland, G., Samuelsen, A. B., Loslash, V., Paulsen, B. S., Aaberge, I. S., Groeng, E. C., & Michaelsen, T. E. (2000). Protective effect of Plantago major L. Pectin polysaccharide against systemic Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in mice. Scandinavian Journal of Immunology, 52(4), 348-355.

​​ANTHELMINTIC

• Jasminum fruticans, Mentha longifolia, Pinus nigra, Zea mays, Citrillus lanatus (watermelon), Juniperus drupacea (fruit), Juniperus oxcycedrus, and Plantago lanceolata displayed significant anthelmintic activity against pinworms.  From:  Kozan, E., Küpeli, E., & Yesilada, E. (2006). Evaluation of some plants used in Turkish folk medicine against parasitic infections for their in vivo anthelmintic activity. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 108(2), 211-216.

IMMUNITY

• Tested components of plantain showed immunostimulating activities, and may contribute to the traditional claims for using it to treat cancers and infectious diseases.  From:  Chiang, L. C., Ng, L. T., Chiang, W., Chang, M. Y., & Lin, C. C. (2003). Immunomodulatory activities of flavonoids, monoterpenoids, triterpenoids, iridoid glycosides and phenolic compounds of Plantago species. Planta medica, 69(07), 600-604.

​​ANTI-ULCER

• Aqueous extracts of the following herbs had antiulcerogenic activity when given orally to rats:  Cedrus libani (Lebanon cedar), Centaurea solstitialis (yellow star thistle), Cistus laurifolius (cistus), Hypericum scabrum, Plantago major (plantain), Sambucus ebulus (danewort) and Spartium junceum (Spanish broom).  From:  Yeşilada, E., Sezik, E., Fujita, T., Tanaka, S., & Tabata, M. (1993). Screening of some Turkish medicinal plants for their antiulcerogenic activities. Phytotherapy Research, 7(3), 263-265.
• Meadowsweet, okra, eyebright, marshmallow, and plantain were reviewed as botanicals for acid reflux.  From:  Olivier, R. (2014). Specific botanicals as an aid for acid reflux. Published on the web on Jan, 9.
• In a study of 50 patients with wound ulcers, an herbal ointment was applied twice a day for 28 days. It contained Symphytum officinale, Plantago major, Calendula officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla, Bellis perennis, Achillea millefolium, Salvia officinalis, Hypericum perforatum, Olea europaea, Lavandula officinalis, Melaleuca alternifolia, Cympobogon martini, Origanum vulgare, Eugenia caryophyllata, Thymus vulgaris ct. thymol, Cera alba, honey, and glycerol. Results showed significant healing of wounds. From: Oreščanin, V. (2016). Treatment of pressure ulcers with Bioapifit® wound healing herbal ointment-a preliminary study. IJRDO: J Biol Sci, 2(10), 1-15.

​ANTI-CANCER

• There was a significant reduction in incidence of mammary cancer in mice given injections of plantain plant extracts.  From:  Lithander, A. (1992). Intracellular fluid of waybread (Plantago major) as a prophylactic for mammary cancer in mice. Tumor Biology, 13(3), 138-141

​​ANTI-INFLAMMATORY / ANALGESIC

• Aqueous extract of Plantago major showed anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in mouse paw edema.  From:  Núñez Guillén, M. E., da Silva Emim, J. A., Souccar, C., & Lapa, A. J. (1997). Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activities of the Aqueous Extract of Plantago major L. International Journal of Pharmacognosy, 35(2), 99-104.
• Phenylethanoids from plantain showed inhibitory effects on induced mouse ear edema.  From:  Murai, M., Tamayama, Y., & Nishibe, S. (1995). Phenylethanoids in the Herb of Plantago lanceolata and Inhibitory Effect on Arachidonic Acid-Induced Mouse Ear Edema1. Planta Medica, 61(05), 479-480.

WOUND HEALING

• Leaves of the Plantago major plant affected human complement proteins, likely the reason for the reported wound healing capabilities of the plant.  From:  Michaelsen, T. E., Gilje, A., Samuelsen, A. B., Høgåsen, K., & Paulsen, B. S. (2000). Interaction between human complement and a pectin type polysaccharide fraction, PMII, from the leaves of Plantago major L. Scandinavian journal of immunology, 52(5), 483-490.
• Plantain extracts stimulated wound healing in porcine skin.  From:  Zubair, M., Nybom, H., Lindholm, C., Brandner, J. M., & Rumpunen, K. (2016). Promotion of wound healing by Plantago major L. leaf extracts–ex-vivo experiments confirm experiences from traditional medicine. Natural product research, 30(5), 622-624.
• In a study of 50 patients with wound ulcers, an herbal ointment was applied twice a day for 28 days. It contained Symphytum officinale, Plantago major, Calendula officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla, Bellis perennis, Achillea millefolium, Salvia officinalis, Hypericum perforatum, Olea europaea, Lavandula officinalis, Melaleuca alternifolia, Cympobogon martini, Origanum vulgare, Eugenia caryophyllata, Thymus vulgaris ct. thymol, Cera alba, honey, and glycerol. Results showed significant healing of wounds. From: Oreščanin, V. (2016). Treatment of pressure ulcers with Bioapifit® wound healing herbal ointment-a preliminary study. IJRDO: J Biol Sci, 2(10), 1-15.

​ORAL HEALTH

• P. major, and its constituents baicalein, and aucubin inhibited reactive oxygen species production by human neutrophils and may be useful in treating periodontal conditions.  From:  Reina, E., Al-Shibani, N., Allam, E., Gregson, K. S., Kowolik, M., & Windsor, L. J. (2013). The effects of plantago major on the activation of the neutrophil respiratory burst. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine, 3(4), 268-272.
• In a randomized controlled clinical study with 40 patients having moderate or severe periodontitis, an herbal mouthwash was assessed compared to a placebo. Both were taken twice a day for two minutes for 3 months. The herbal mouthwash contained Propolis resin extract, Plantago lanceolata, Salvia officinalis leaves extract, and 1.75% of essential oils (Salvia officinalis, Syzygium aromaticum buds, Mentha piperita leaves, Commiphora myrrha oleoresin and Pistacia lentiscus oleoresin). Results showed the herbal mouthwash reduced bleeding and plaque. From: Sparabombe, S., Monterubbianesi, R., Tosco, V., Orilisi, G., Hosein, A., Ferrante, L., … & Orsini, G. (2019). Efficacy of an all-natural polyherbal mouthwash in patients with periodontitis: a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in physiology, 10, 632.

ANTIDIABETIC

• In mice, plants of the Malvaceae family as well as Plantago asiatica showed strong hypoglycemic activity.  From:  Tomoda, M., Shimizu, N., Oshima, Y., Takahashi, M., Murakami, M., & Hikino, H. (1987). Hypoglycemic activity of twenty plant mucilages and three modified products. Planta medica, 53(01), 8-12.

LIVER PROTECTIVE

• Aucubin ( an iridoid in plantain) showed high liver-protective activity against hepatic damage in mice and showed a potent antidotal effects on beagle dogs with mushroom poisoning. From:  Chang, I. M. (1998). Liver-protective activities of aucubin derived from traditional oriental medicine. Research communications in molecular pathology and pharmacology, 102(2), 189-204.

HYPOLIPIDEMIC

• A compilation of research showed the following herbs to have a hypolipidemic effect:  yarrow, onion, garlic, dill, celery, burdock, oats, barberry, cabbage, chili pepper, safflower, chicory, chickpea, bitter orange, orange, guggul, coriander, cranberry, melon, pumpkin, artichoke, ginseng, eugenol, schelelecht, ginkgo, soy, walnut, apple, nutmeg, red yeast rice, miswak, evening primrose, basil, bulacy, orchis, avocado, plantain, blond plotitago, green bean, purslane, black cherry, pomegranate, milk thistle, brinjal, tomato, tamarind, thea, thyme, fenugreek, bilberry, grape, ginger, and corn.  From:  Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Khoddami, M., Khazraei, H. R., Dehkordil, E. B., & Rafieian-Kopaei, M. (2017). Hypolipidemic herbals with diuretic effects: A systematic review. In Biol. Sci (Vol. 8, pp. 21-28).

FEVER

• Marshmallow, beet, chicory, watermelon, coriander, licorice, fummitory, henna, chamomile, peppermint, water lily, great plantain, purslain, pomogranate, willow, violet, and jujube have been used in Persian medicine to help reduce fever in children. From: Hadian, F., Varshochi, M., Zargaran, A., Besharat, M., & Mousavi Bazaz, M. (2019). Medicinal Herbs Useful in Pediatric Fever from the Perspective of Persian Medicine. International Journal of Pediatrics, 7(9), 10087-10098.

By: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 9/30/19