Ribwort Plantain

Information
Application
Notes
References

Photo: Sertürner Bildarchiv

Botanical name

Plantago lanceolata L.

Family

Plantaginaceae

Common name

Narrowleaf plantain, English plantain, Ribleaf, Lamb's tongue, Buckhorn, Rib grass

Information about the plant

Ribwort plantain is found in all temperate climates around the world and mainly grows in meadows and pastures, often on roadsides and ruderal habitats like rubble piles. The genus name Plantago, derived from Latin "planta" (= sole of the foot), with the common plant suffix "ago", refers, on the one hand, to the flat, oval leaves of the greater plantain (P. major), which lie close to the ground in rosettes, and, on the other hand, to the fact that the plantains grow in areas trampled by feet.

The long-lanceolate leaves of ribwort plantain, with their typical parallel veins, are referred to in the specific epithet lanceolata (from the Latin "lanceola" = small lance). They are numerous, arranged in a basal rosette, about 20 cm long, and, compared with the leaves of the greater plantain, are partly erect. The small flowers are arranged in dense, cylindrical spikes at the end of long, furrowed scapes that rise above the leaves. They flower from bottom to top, which is easily recognized from the yellowish white stamens protruding from the corolla. The flowering time is from May to September.

Medicinally used parts of plants (herbal drug)

The leaves and scapes are used whole or crushed (Plantaginis folium).

The commercially available herbal drug is obtained mostly from cultivated plants in Eastern European countries, and to a small extent from Holland.

Constituents of the herbal drug

Ribwort plantain leaves contain mucilage, iridoids, and phenylethanoids.

Quality of the drug

The quality of ribwort plantain leaves (Plantaginis lanceolatae folium) is specified in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

Medical applications

Recognised medical use

The HMPC has classified ribwort plantain leaves as a traditional herbal medicinal product (see ‘Traditional use’).

ESCOP: For internal use in the catarrh of the respiratory tract. For external use in short-term treatment of inflammatory changes of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat. These indications are based on long-standing use in humans.

Traditional use

Ribwort plantain leaves have been classified by the HMPC as a traditional herbal medicinal product (Article 16a of Directive 2001/83/EC). Based upon long-standing use, ribwort plantain leaves can be used to relieve irritation of the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat and to treat dry, irritable coughs.

Herbal drug preparations in finished dosage forms

Dry extracts in juice
Fluid extracts in juice and drops
Fresh plant juice as juice

Dosage

Finished medicinal products: See patient information leaflet.

Tea: Drink one cup of ribwort plantain tea three times a day. Daily dose for adults and adolescents: 3 to 6 g of the herb, for children under 6 years of age: 2 to 4 g of the herb.

Preparation of a tea

Pour approximately 150 mL of boiling water over 2 to 4 g of chopped ribwort plantain leaves and strain after 10 to 15 minutes. To make better use of the mucilage in the herb, the tea can also be prepared with cold water, strained after 2 hours, and briefly brought to a boil.

Notes

There are no studies available on the safety of using ribwort plantain during pregnancy and lactation. Its use to treat coughs in children under 3 years of age is not recommended, as this should be evaluated by a doctor.