Evidence supporting the use of: Water Plantain
For the health condition: Sore Throat
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Water Plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica) has a history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in East Asian and European herbal practices. In Chinese medicine, water plantain (known as Ze Xie) is primarily used for its diuretic effects and to address urinary and kidney-related issues, rather than for sore throat. However, in some European folk medicine traditions, related species of plantains (notably Plantago major, or broadleaf plantain, which is botanically distinct from water plantain) have been used for soothing mucous membranes and relieving sore throat symptoms due to their mucilaginous properties.
There is limited direct historical evidence specifically linking Alisma plantago-aquatica (Water Plantain) to the treatment of sore throat. Most references to plantain for sore throat refer to Plantago species, not Alisma. Nonetheless, some herbal sources mention that water plantain root extracts have mild anti-inflammatory properties, which could theoretically provide some soothing effect, but this is not well substantiated. No significant clinical or pharmacological studies exist demonstrating water plantain’s efficacy for sore throat relief. The use for sore throat is thus grounded more in folk tradition than in scientific validation, and the overall evidence for efficacy is low.
Other ingredients used for Sore Throat
AllspiceAloe vera
alpha-pinene
betel
bisabolol
black pepper
chamomile
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
glehnia root
honeysuckle
Japanese sophora
licorice root
marshmallow
mint
spruce
platycodon root
sage
slippery elm bark
vitamin C
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
yellow root
boneset
mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
chaff flower
yarrow
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
flowering quince
sweetgums
camphor oil
wood betony
horehound
Sichuan pepper
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Acacia
Agrimony
Alchornea
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Alchemilla
Asafoetida
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Allyl isothiocyanate
Adenophora
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Bee Propolis
Bryonia
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bougainvillea
Buddha's Hand
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Carvone
Cistus
Cubeb
Carlina
Calamus
Culvers Root
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
English Horsemint
Elder
Fritillary
Fernbush
Ficin
Fleabane
Glehnia littoralis
Goldthread
Genipap
Guaco
Heartsease
Homalomena
Houttuynia
Honey loquat syrup
Honeydew
Indian Nightshade
Javanese Long Pepper
Kachnar
Lilium polyphyllum
Lomatium
Liverwort
Lysimachia
Labdanum
Mentha haplocalyx
Marjoram
Marsh Tea
Matico
Mountain mahogany
Meadow sage
Milkweed
Meadowsweet
Manzanita
Orsa salt
Premna
Phragmites
Pepper Bark Tree
Pimpinella
Rhus coriaria
Spilanthes
Speedwell
Spikenard
Sambucus nigra
Streptococcus salivarius
Savory
Sandy Everlasting
Stone Root
Sassafras
Tannins
Tonka Bean
Trailing Arbutus
Umckaloabo
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