The Broadleaf Plantain: A Modest Plant with Great Healing Potential

Author: Rositsa Tashkova, Master of Molecular Biology and Microbiology

The broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) is best known for its ability to accelerate wound healing. It's also called white man's foot or greater plantain. The plant is widespread in Europe, Asia and America and is often found in gardens and other urban grasslands.

The plantain is not distinguished by bright colors or large size, but despite its modest appearance, it hides a great healing potential, which extends beyond the treatment of wounds.

Some of the properties attributed to it by folk medicine have been confirmed by recent research, including:

• wound healing,
• antipyretic action (to lower fever),
• cough suppression (antitussive),
• against infections,
• anti-haemorrhagic and haemostatic action,
• anti-inflammatory,
• diuretic,
• laxative,
• astringent.

In this article you will learn more about the traditional use of plantain in Iranian traditional medicine, as well as the modern evidence of its healing properties. The information is taken from the article Plantago major in Traditional Persian Medicine and modern phytotherapy: a narrative review, 2018, Electronic physician [ref.1].

The use of plantain for the treatment of various diseases dates back thousands of years. The earliest known account of the plantain is in "De materia medica", which was written by the Greek pharmaco-botanist Dioscurid in the 1st century (40-90 A.D.). The book is an encyclopedia of herbal treatment and pharmacopoeia from around the world.

Plantain finds the following applications in Iranian folk medicine:

• In neurological diseases such epilepsy or ear pain;
• In diseases of the eyes;
• Against inflammation in the oral cavity and toothache (gargling and rinsing);
• In lung diseases such as asthma and tuberculosis;
• With gastrointestinal problems - bleeding, hemorrhoids, stomach ache, dyspepsia, constipation;
• In liver and bile disease;
• In urogenital infections and pain in the kidneys and bladder;
• For the treatment of various wounds and burns.

Many of these and other healing properties are also confirmed by modern medicine. You will learn about some of them in the following lines.

In low concentrations, plantain possesses immunomodulatory activity, increases the number of lymphocytes and the secretion of interferon-γ, but at high concentrations this property can be suppressed.

Plantain tea can aid the immune system in leukemia and viral infections. [ref.2]

The seeds of plantain secrete mucus substances that have a laxative and protective effect for the mucous membrane of the stomach. Seeds are recommended for inflammatory bowel diseases, e.g. ulcerative colitis.

On the other hand, leaf extract reduces the mobility of the duodenum and has astringent effect.

Broadleaf plantain contains substances that suppress the production of prostaglandins, the movement of white blood cells and the release of histamine, and this is relevant for the suppression of urticaria.

Some types of plantain extracts have shown an effect against the Giardia parasite.

Plantain extract in ethyl alcohol shows antibacterial activity against the bacteria E. coli and Bacillus cereus, and acetone extract is also effective against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Plantain extract also has good effectiveness against Candida albicans yeast.

Broadleaf plantain is traditionally used to heal wounds. With tissue damage, whether from bacteria, physical trauma, chemical, heat or any other phenomenon, the body reacts with an inflammatory response, which is by its very nature a protective reaction. Inflammation is manifested by redness, fever, edema and pain in the affected tissue.

Plantain contains polyphenols and in particular plantamajoside, which are considered the main significant compounds for wound healing. For this purpose, aqueous extract of plantain can be used.

Various studies have shown that both spirit and water extracts of plantain possess the property to inhibit the growth of certain cancer cell lines: melanoma (skin cancer), adenocarcinoma of the breast and kidney. [ref.3]

According to one of the studies, the greatest potential to inhibit the growth of cancer cells have the seeds of broadleaf plantain, in particular on the following cancer cell lines: MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, HeLaS3, A549 and KB. They also suppress inflammatory cytokines tumornecortising factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1β and 6 (IL-1β, IL-6) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ).

Extracts from the roots of the plant exhibit the same properties. However, the scientists who conducted this study offer the seeds of broadleaf plantain as a source of new drugs against oncological and inflammatory diseases. [ref.4]

What side effects can the intake of broadleaf plantain have?

In general, plantain is considered a safe herb, but an overdose can lead to anaphylaxis (suffocation due to an allergic reaction). In milder cases of side effects, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, bloating, hypersensitivity or dermatitis may be observed.

How is broadleaf plantain used?

The usual dose is 3–5 grams of the powdered herb 1–3 times a day, but the most common dose in the form of tea (infusion) is 150 ml 3–4 times a day.