English Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine across Europe and Asia. Its leaves have been used in folk remedies to treat various inflammatory conditions, including eye infections (such as conjunctivitis), where plantain leaf infusions or poultices have been applied topically to soothe irritation and reduce redness. The basis for these uses stems from the plant’s known anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial properties, which are attributed to bioactive compounds such as aucubin, flavonoids, and tannins found in the leaves.

However, there is little to no robust scientific evidence specifically validating the use of English Plantain for treating eye infections in humans. While laboratory studies have demonstrated general antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of plantain extracts, these have not been directly correlated with clinical outcomes for ocular infections. Most references to its use for eye health are anecdotal or come from ethnobotanical records rather than controlled clinical trials. Therefore, while its use is rooted in tradition and some plausible mechanisms exist, scientific support for this application is currently limited.