Buono, V. (2009). Plantago lanceolata. Retrieved from: http://luirig.altervista.org/schedenam/fnam.php?taxon=Plantago+lanceolata
Botanical Name: Plantago laceolata
Common name: Ribwort (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 242), Ribwort Plantain (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 574), English Plantain (Weiss, 2001, p. 198)
Family: Plantaginacea (Weiss, 2001, p. 198)
Parts used: Whole plant (Weiss, 2001, p. 198)
Constituents
- Mucilage
- Tannins
- Silicic acid
(Weiss, 2001, p. 198)
Actions
- Anticatarrhal (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 242)
- Respiratory demulcent (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 240)
- Subtle antibiotic activity (Weiss, 2001, p. 198)
History
One of the more common plants in European Flora, Plantago lanceolata. The herb grows in great quantities in dry meadows, by wayside and in fields. Another similar variety Plantago major, is often collected and used in the same indication, however it appears to be inferior, notably in the treatment of coughs and therefore should not be confused (Weiss, 2001, p. 198).
Indications
- Coughs (Syrup is a good cough remedy for children) (Weiss, 2001, p. 198)
- Bronchitis (Weiss, 2001, p. 199)
Preparation
Syrup: Chop and express fresh herb, boil the crude juice with honey for 20 mins. Store in sealed container. Antibiotic properties will help with storage life (Weiss, 2001, pp. 198-199)
Dosage
(Dosage is based on close relative of Plantago lanceloata, Plantago major.)
Tincture: (1:5 in 40%) 2-3mL/tds
Infusion: 2 tsp dried her/1 cup water/tds
(Hoffmann, 2003, p. 574)
Cautions & Contradictions:
According to Hoffmann, no side effects or drug interactions have been reported for Plantago major (2003, p. 574).
REFERENCE
Bone, K., & Mills, S. (2013). Principals and Practice of Phytotherapy (2nd ed.). Edinborough: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.
Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester Vermont: Healing Arts Press.
Weiss, R. (2001). Weiss’s Herbal Medicine (classic ed.). New York: Thieme.
Materia Medica 