Evidence supporting the use of: Great Plantain
For the health condition: Congestion
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Great Plantain (Plantago major) has a long history of traditional use in herbal medicine, particularly for respiratory conditions such as congestion. Traditional herbalists have used the leaves of plantain as a demulcent and expectorant, aiming to soothe irritated mucous membranes and facilitate the expulsion of mucus from the respiratory tract. Historical texts and folk medicine practices across Europe, Asia, and North America reference plantain teas, syrups, or poultices as remedies for coughs, bronchitis, and general chest congestion.
However, scientific evidence supporting these uses is limited. Laboratory studies have indicated that Great Plantain contains bioactive compounds such as aucubin, allantoin, and mucilage, which may exert mild anti-inflammatory and soothing effects on tissues. Despite these properties, robust clinical trials evaluating its efficacy specifically for congestion in humans are lacking. Most of the support for its use comes from ethnobotanical surveys and traditional herbal compendia rather than modern pharmacological research.
In summary, while Great Plantain is widely used in traditional medicine for congestion relief, the evidence supporting its effectiveness is primarily historical and anecdotal, with minimal scientific validation beyond basic phytochemical studies and general anti-inflammatory potential.
Other ingredients used for Congestion
Allspicebasil
beta-pinene
betel
black currant
black pepper
chamomile
citrus oil
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
green tea
horseradish
licorice root
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
spearmint leaf
thyme
vitamin C
Wasabi
Zinc
squawvine
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
Mugwort
malabar nut
ferula assafoetida
anise
blackboard tree
Szechuan lovage
buckthorn
lemongrass
Yerba santa
coltsfoot
sweet flag
Trichosanthes
birch
eucalyptus
Menthol oil
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
Alcohol
Akebia
Agastache
alpha-terpineol
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
asafoetida
Arisaema
atractylone
balsam
bishop\'s weed
bayleaf
Barleria
bitter grass
berry
black salt
bee products
Bombax
Buddha\'s hand
borneol
Camellia sinensis
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
cineole
cajuput
Chinese raisintree
cowherb
Ephedra
European Elder
Echinacea
Elder
essential oil blend
ephedrine
gamma-terpinene
Gallesia
honey
heal-all
Horsemint
Isatis
long pepper
Ivy
joe-pye
Ligusticum
mallow
Monoterpenes
Meadow sage
Nardostachys
Osha
Orris
Platycodon
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
ravinsara
Sesquiterpenes
Sambucus nigra
Servicetree
Sassafras
Thymus
Tayuya
Vervain
Vasicine
Vasicinone
Yerba buena
Other health conditions supported by Great Plantain
Abdominal PainAbrasions
Abscesses
Afterbirth Pain
Allergies (respiratory)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Blisters
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Canker Sores
Chest Pain
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Cuts
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Edema
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Fever