Evidence supporting the use of: Plantain
For the health condition: Conjunctivitis
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Plantain (Plantago spp.), particularly Plantago major, has a long history of use in traditional medicine for various ailments, including eye conditions like conjunctivitis. In many folk medicine systems across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, plantain leaf infusions or poultices were applied topically to the eyes to relieve irritation, redness, and infection. The rationale behind its use stems from its known anti-inflammatory, soothing, and mildly antimicrobial properties, which are attributed to its bioactive constituents such as aucubin, allantoin, and various flavonoids.
However, while traditional use is well documented, there is limited direct scientific evidence specifically validating plantain’s efficacy for conjunctivitis in humans. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that plantain extracts possess antimicrobial activity against some bacteria and anti-inflammatory effects in cell and animal models, which could theoretically benefit conjunctivitis (an inflammation of the conjunctiva, often caused by infection or allergy). Despite these promising properties, clinical trials in humans targeting conjunctivitis are lacking, and its use for this purpose has not been adopted in evidence-based medical practice. Safety, especially when applied topically to the eye, also has not been rigorously evaluated. Therefore, the use of plantain for conjunctivitis is justified primarily by tradition, with only low-level supportive evidence for its pharmacological actions related to eye inflammation.
Other ingredients used for Conjunctivitis
aloe verabilberry
black currant
cat's claw
Chinese salvia root
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
ginger
green tea
honeysuckle
lactoperoxidase
nettle
phellodendron amurense
plantain
pomegranate
quercetin
resveratrol
schizonepeta
sphaeranthus indicus
vitamin A
vitamin C
zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
neem tree
commiphora
swertia
chrysanthemum
trichosanthes
eucalyptus
Alchornea
Aconite
American Liverleaf
Astragalin
Bee Propolis
Bermuda Grass
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Balsam
Butea monosperma
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bee products
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Belamcanda
Colloidal Silver
Chinese Raisintree
Eclipta
Eyebright
Metal Salt
Sandalwood
Other health conditions supported by plantain
Abdominal PainAbrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Anemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arthritis
Asthma
Athlete's Foot
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Canker Sores
Chest Pain
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (children)
Colitis
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Cuts
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Eye Infections
Fever
Gastritis