Plantago
Plantago major, commonly known as Broadleaf Plantain or Greater Plantain, is a ubiquitous weed with a long history of traditional use in various herbal medicine systems, including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and European folk medicine. Whil...
Botanical name: Plantago major. Also known as: Broadleaf Plantain, Greater Plantain, Plantain.
Classical attributes
- Virya: []
- Vipaka: []
Dosha effects
- vata: increasing
- kapha: balancing
- pitta: balancing
Clinical evidence
Clinical evidence for Plantago major primarily stems from traditional use validated by numerous preclinical (in vitro and animal) studies demonstrating anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing effects. Reviews acknowledge its efficacy for minor skin conditions and provide rationale for demulcent properties in respiratory and gastrointestinal health. However, robust, large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) directly assessing its efficacy for internal uses are largely scarce, with human studies often being smaller or observational.
Ayurvedic karmas
- Vranaropana (Wound healing)
- Shothahara (Anti-inflammatory)
- Krimighna (Antimicrobial)
- Kasahara (Cough suppressant)
- Pachana (Digestive)
- Grahi (Astringent, absorbent)
Classical clinical indications
- Vrana (Wounds, cuts, abrasions)
- Shotha (Inflammation)
- Kasa (Cough, bronchitis)
- Shvasa (Respiratory irritation)
- Atisara (Mild gastrointestinal irritation, diarrhea)
- Tvag Roga (Skin conditions like eczema, insect bites)