Plantain (the herb, typically Plantago major or Plantago lanceolata) has a long history of traditional use in supporting oral health, including the gums. Folk medicine across Europe, Asia, and North America has used plantain leaves for their purported anti-inflammatory, soothing, and wound-healing properties. Traditional applications include chewing fresh leaves, applying poultices to the gums, or making mouth rinses from plantain infusions to help with inflamed or bleeding gums. The traditional rationale is based on plantain’s mucilage content, which may soothe irritated tissues, and its tannins, which could exert astringent effects that help tighten and tone gum tissue. Additionally, plantain contains compounds like aucubin and allantoin, which are believed to promote healing.

Scientifically, there is limited direct evidence supporting plantain’s effectiveness for gum health specifically. Some laboratory studies have confirmed that Plantago species possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties, but these studies are generally not specific to oral or gum tissue, and clinical trials in humans for periodontal support are lacking. Therefore, while its use is well-rooted in tradition and supported by plausible mechanisms, robust scientific validation for gum health is still absent.