Water Plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica) has been used in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Europe and Asia, for various ailments, including skin infections and inflammations. Folk remedies often employed crushed Water Plantain leaves or poultices applied directly to the skin to soothe wounds, boils, ulcers, or other minor skin irritations. These traditional uses are documented in several ethnobotanical sources and historical pharmacopeias, where Water Plantain is described as having cooling, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

However, scientific validation for the effectiveness of Water Plantain in treating skin infections is limited. While some laboratory studies have examined the general antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory properties of extracts from Alisma species, there is a lack of robust clinical data or well-controlled studies directly supporting its use for skin infections in humans. The evidence is therefore primarily traditional, with only preliminary or indirect scientific support. The rating of 2 reflects that while use is grounded in longstanding folk practice, the scientific basis remains weak and largely anecdotal.