Great plantain (Plantago major) is a plant with broad leaves native to Europe and Asia. It now grows worldwide as a weed. It's also used as medicine.
Great plantain contains chemicals that might help decrease pain and swelling, decrease mucous, and open airways. It might also help kill bacteria and fungi.
People use great plantain for cough, mouth sores, obesity, abnormal menstrual bleeding, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse great plantain with other plants also known as plantain, such as Asian water plantain, black psyllium, blond psyllium, buckhorn plantain, or buck's-horn plantain. These are not the same.
Is It Effective?
There is interest in using great plantain for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Is it Safe?
When taken by mouth: Great plantain seed is possibly safe when used for 8-12 weeks. It's usually well-tolerated. There isn't enough reliable information to know if great plantain leaf or leaf extract is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: Great plantain cream is possibly safe when used for up to 2 weeks. It can cause allergic skin reactions in some people.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: It's likely unsafe to use great plantain while pregnant. Great plantain can affect the uterus and might increase the chance of having a miscarriage.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if great plantain is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Great plantain leaves contain large amounts of vitamin K. Vitamin K is used by the body to help blood clot. Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. By helping the blood clot, great plantain leaves might decrease the effects of warfarin. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
Great plantain seed has most often been used by adults in doses of 1000-1200 mg by mouth 2-3 times daily for 8-12 weeks. Great plantain is also used in mouthwashes and creams. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
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