Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Plantain (Plantago spp.), particularly Plantago major, has been used in traditional herbal medicine for centuries to treat a variety of oral and skin conditions, including canker sores (aphthous ulcers). Folk medicine systems in Europe, Asia, and the Americas cite plantain leaves as a remedy for mouth sores due to their soothing, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. The fresh leaves are sometimes chewed or made into a poultice and applied directly to the affected area.

The traditional use likely arises from the plant’s mucilaginous nature, which can form a protective barrier over mucous membranes, and its purported antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds such as aucubin and allantoin. However, scientific validation for plantain’s effectiveness specifically for canker sores is limited. A small number of in vitro and animal studies suggest that extracts of Plantago species have anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. For example, research has shown that aucubin possesses anti-inflammatory activities and that plantain extracts may promote tissue repair. Nevertheless, there is a lack of high-quality clinical trials directly examining plantain’s efficacy against canker sores in humans.

In summary, the use of plantain for canker sores is primarily justified by traditional use, with only weak to moderate indirect scientific evidence. Until more rigorous clinical research is available, its benefit for this specific condition should be considered as complementary or anecdotal.

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