Plantain Leaf (Plantago Major)
A common weed used as a soothing herb for coughs and the gut lining. One small randomized trial supports the cough use; the gut-lining claim has not been tested in humans.
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What the science says
- Cough in acute bronchitis Limited evidence
A double-blind randomized clinical trial found Plantago major reduced cough severity in acute bronchitis. It was a single small trial and needs replication before the effect can be relied on.
- Other clinical uses Limited evidence
A randomized open-label controlled trial of Plantago major seeds in diabetic nephropathy reported modest changes in kidney markers. The traditional use for the gut lining and mucous membranes has never been tested in a controlled human study.
Dosage & safety
How to take it
Frequently asked questions
Does plantain leaf help a cough?
One small double-blind randomized trial found Plantago major reduced cough severity in acute bronchitis, but it needs replication, so the evidence for plantain leaf is limited.
Does plantain leaf heal the gut lining?
That claim has never been tested: no controlled human study has examined plantain leaf for the gut lining or mucous membranes, so it rests on tradition.
Is plantain leaf the same as psyllium?
No. Plantain leaf and psyllium are different parts of related Plantago plants, and plantain leaf does not act as a bulking fiber.
How much plantain leaf should I take?
Traditional plantain leaf tea is 2–4 g up to three times daily, and capsules typically supply 500 mg; the cough trial used a syrup for roughly a week. Plantain leaf is well tolerated as a food-grade herb.
Scientific references
Related in Gut health
- Probiotics Moderate evidence
- Psyllium Husk (fiber) Strong evidence
- L-Glutamine Limited evidence
- Oregano Oil Limited evidence
- Ginger Moderate evidence
- Inulin (Prebiotic Fiber) Moderate evidence