Buckhorn Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Europe and Asia. Traditionally, it has been employed to relieve symptoms associated with respiratory tract infections, such as coughs, sore throat, and catarrh. Its application for "colds with fever" falls within this broader respiratory support context, as many cultures have used infusions or syrups made from the leaves to soothe mucous membranes and reduce irritation during colds and flu-like illnesses.

The rationale behind its traditional use includes its content of bioactive compounds such as aucubin, flavonoids, and mucilage, which are believed to exert soothing, anti-inflammatory, and mild antimicrobial effects. These properties made Buckhorn Plantain a favored remedy in folk medicine for managing symptoms rather than treating the underlying viral infection or fever itself.

However, scientific evidence directly supporting its effectiveness specifically for "colds with fever" is limited. Some laboratory studies have noted anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory effects of plantain extracts, but these have not been conclusively linked to clinical benefits for fever or viral infections in humans. Overall, its use for colds (with or without fever) is justified primarily by tradition, with only weak to moderate evidence from scientific studies.