Evidence supporting the use of: Water Plantain
For the health condition: Infection
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Water Plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine systems, particularly in East Asia. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Water Plantain (known as Ze Xie) is employed primarily for its diuretic properties and to “drain dampness,” but it is sometimes included in formulations aimed at urinary tract health, which may encompass infections. Some traditional herbal texts mention its use for conditions described as “heat and dampness in the lower burner,” which can be interpreted as infections or inflammation of the urinary tract in modern terms. However, the basis for its use is rooted in TCM theory rather than direct evidence of antimicrobial activity.
Scientific validation for Water Plantain’s direct antimicrobial effects is limited. A few in vitro studies have investigated extracts of Alisma species, showing mild antibacterial activity against certain pathogens, but these findings are preliminary and not robust enough to support clinical use. No high-quality clinical trials have demonstrated efficacy for treating infections in humans. Thus, its use for infection is primarily justified by tradition, with only limited and low-quality scientific evidence hinting at a possible effect.
In summary, Water Plantain is traditionally used to support urinary tract health and, indirectly, infections in traditional medicine systems, but scientific evidence for direct effectiveness against infections is weak.
Other ingredients used for Infection
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allspice
alpha-pinene
green chiretta
annatto
arabinogalactan
astragalus
bacillus clausii
bayberry
bearberry
myrobalan
Beta-Glucan
betel
bifidobacterium infantis
bisabolol
black pepper
black walnut
burdock
caprylic acid
cassia bark
cat's claw
chaga mushroom
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
cuspidatum root
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ginger
goldenseal
heartwood
immunoglobin G
Indian gum arabic tree
iodine
L12-myoviridae
lactobacillus brevis
lactococcus lactis
lactoferrin
lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
LH01-myoviridae
licorice root
LL12-myoviridae
LL5-siphoviridae
mangosteen
monolaurin
moringa
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
oregon grape
protein
purified silver
reishi mushroom
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
selenium
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
sweet wormwood
T4D-myoviridae
turkey tail mushroom
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
wasabia japonica
zinc
sarsaparilla
yellow root
boneset
hyssop
cardamom
neem tree
malabar nut
hedychium spicatum
pistacia integerrima gall
paederia foetida
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
swertia
bee pollen
chaff flower
pau d'arco
prickly ash
myrrh
yerba santa
amber
flowering quince
fern
oriental arborvitae
birch
eucalyptus
polyporus
white oak
sea salt
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Avens
Agarikon Mushroom
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Aquilegia viridiflora
Alpha-Humulene
Alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Agave
Allicin
Anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Asarum heterotropoides
Artesunate
AHCC
Aucubin
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Aureobasidium pullulans
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Ampelopsis
Allyl Sulfide
Acemannan
Alkylglycerols
Alliin
Abuta
Alstonia macrophylla
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Animal protein
Bee Propolis
Bifidobacterium
Babchi
Baphicacanthus cusia
Blackthorn
Blepharis
Balsam
Beef liver
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Barleria
Berberis (unspecified)
Bisabolene
Basidiomycota
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Backhousia citriodora
Banyan
Barbary matrimony vine
Black Nightshade
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bitter principals
Bacteria
Black root
Bupleurum
Bacillus
benzyl isothiocyanate
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Bignay
Croton seeds
Chervil
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Colloidal Silver
coconut oil
Coriolus mushroom
Cactus
Carvacrol
Cymbidium goeringii
Cajuput
Chlorophytum
Catechu
Celandine
Citral
Centipeda
Cistus
Corktree
Cubeb
Cinchona
Chirata
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Coin-leaf desmodium
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cynodon dactylon
Cassava
Chiococca alba
Cocklebur
Celastrus
Copaiba Oil
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Dense Fruit Dittany
Dialyzable Leukocyte Extract
Deoxyandrographolides
Dichrostachys glomerata
European Elder
English Horsemint
Echinacea
Echinodorus
Elephant's Head
Euphorbia
Embelia
Eugenol
Fang-Feng
Glucanase
Milk Protein
Sandalwood
Sumac
Other health conditions supported by Water Plantain
Abdominal PainBladder Infection
Bleeding (external)
Burns and Scalds
Canker Sores
Cuts
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Edema
Eye Infections
Fever
Glands (swollen lymph)
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Injuries
Itching
Kidney Infection
Menstrual Irregularity
Pain (general remedies for)
Skin (infections)
Sore Throat
Urinary Tract Infections
Wounds and Sores