Evidence supporting the use of: Common Plantain
For the health condition: Edema
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Common Plantain (Plantago major) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for a variety of conditions, including edema (fluid retention). Traditional European and indigenous herbal practices have used plantain leaves as a mild diuretic, believed to help the body eliminate excess water and reduce swelling. The plant’s purported diuretic effects are largely attributed to its content of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, iridoid glycosides (e.g., aucubin), and tannins. These compounds have shown mild anti-inflammatory and diuretic activity in some in vitro and animal studies, though the evidence is neither robust nor consistent.
Despite its historical use, scientific validation for plantain's effect on edema specifically is limited. There are a few animal studies suggesting diuretic activity, but well-designed human trials are lacking. Most available research focuses on plantain’s wound healing, anti-inflammatory, or antimicrobial properties rather than its use for fluid retention. Thus, while traditional medicine has promoted common plantain for edema, the evidence supporting its effectiveness is weak and not substantiated by rigorous clinical research. As such, it is generally considered low-risk as a mild herbal remedy, but should not be relied upon as a primary treatment for edema, especially in serious or underlying medical conditions.
Other ingredients used for Edema
anthocyaninsapricot
arjun tree
asparagus
waterhyssop
bamboo
bearberry
bilberry
Indian frankincense
bromelain
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
butcher's broom
bасора
cabbage leaf
celery
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
citrus bioflavonoids
cucumber
turmeric
dandelion
fish protein
flavonols
forsythia
fu ling
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
onion
hawthorn
hesperidin
horse chestnut
horsetail
Japanese sophora
jujube
lemon
lophatherum leaf
lovage
mannitol
moringa
mustard seed
nettle
papain
parsley
pear
pine bark
pineapple
potassium
protease
pumpkin
quercetin
rutin
scrophularia root
serratiopeptidase
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
triphala
trypsin
seaweed
watermelon
sarsaparilla
yellow root
tangerine
xanthium (cockleburs)
atractylodes
Indian bael
nut grass
alpinia galangal
punarnava
commiphora
rubia cordifolia
swertia
lingusticum wallichii
goldenrod
prickly ash
lemongrass
silk tree
juniper berries
solomon's seal
siler root
amber
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
morinda
cornsilk
buchu
birch
couch grass
sheep's sorrel
queen of the meadow
hydrangea
purslane
gentiana macrophylla
cleavers
shepherd's purse
peach
white oak
enzymes blend (proprietary)
Aralia
akebia
Ardisia
Angelica
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Abrus
Albizia
Ajuga
Albumin
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Aescin
Adzuki bean
Actaea spicata
Agrimonia pilosa
Arjunic Acid
Alisma
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Atractylone
Betony
Baikal Skullcap
Blue Flag
Baliospermum
Blackthorn
Blepharis
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Big Quaking Grass
Bitter Grass
berry
Bogbean
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Bioflavonoids
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Borage
banana
Bupleurum
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Casearia esculenta
Chinese Mountain Ant
Calotropis gigantea
Chervil
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cucurbita
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cactus
Cynomorium
Cinquefoil
Cyathula
Chlorophytum
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Chanca Piedra
Corktree
Cabbage
Cowslip
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Chestnut
Cynodon dactylon
Collinsonia
Carthamus
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Diosmin
Danshen
Deer Root
Dipsacus
Erythropalum scandens
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Empresstree
Echinodorus
Enzyme Blend
European-Five Finger Grass
Escin
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Little ironweed
Rhubarb
Sumac
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Common Plantain
Abdominal PainAbrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Afterbirth Pain
Allergies (respiratory)
Asthma
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Blisters
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Cuts
Dandruff
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Edema
Emphysema
Eye Infections
Eyes (red or itching)
Fever
Fungal Infections
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hemorrhoids
Herpes
Hypertension