Culpeper: ‘Plantago. Plantane... an herb though common, let none despise it, for the decoction of it prevails mightily against tormenting pains and excoriations of the guts, bloody fluxes, it stops the terms and spitting of blood, Phtisicks or consumption of the lungs, the running of the reins and the whites in women, pains in the head and frenzies: outwardly it clears the sight, takes away inflammations, scabs, itch, the shingles, and all spreading sores, and is as wholesome a herb as can grow about a house.

Medicinal uses Uses supported by clinical data No information was found. Uses described in pharmacopoeias and well established documents Plantago major is used internally for catarrh of the respiratory tract, cough, bronchitis, infl ammatory alterations of the oral mucosa, phlegm congestion, nephritis, cystitis, urinary retention, dysentery, epistaxis (nosebleed) and excessive diaphoresis (49, 50). It is also used for the treatment of diarrhoea and constipation (22). Uses described in traditional medicine Fresh leaves of Plantago major have been used externally for centuries in many parts of the world as an antiseptic for treatment of skin irritations, erysipelas, abscesses, burns, scrofula and infl ammatory reactions of the skin; for repair of damaged tissue; and to treat fi stulae and ulcers (5, 43, 51, 52). It is also used to suppress cough associated with bronchitis, colds and upper respiratory infl ammation, and as an analgesic and diuretic agent, in the treatment of kidney stones (53–55). It also has a hepatoprotective action (4, 56). Plantago major leaves have been used as a weak antibiotic, astringent (57) and as an immunomodulating (58), antihypertensive (59), hypoglycaemic (60), haemostatic (61), antiallergic, febrifuge and antipruritic agent (62). It is used in the treatment of eye infl ammation, and as a vermifuge (63–65). It is commonly prescribed for treatment of cystitis with haematuria and haemorrhoids (38). Contraindications In case of hypersensitivity to P. major pollen (e.g. contact dermatitis), use should be stopped.

OTHER COMMON NAMES: GREATER PLANTAIN; COMMON PLANTAIN; CART TRACK PLANT; HEALING BLADE; LAMB'S FOOT; LARK SEED; WHITE MAN'S FOOT; WHITE MAN'S FOOTPRINT

Notes: This is best known to gardeners as the plant that grows happily in one’s lawn. In Pompei it is still used to treat colitis. Dioscorides called it Arnoglossum, and lists all sorts of diseases that it treats, from dropsy to erysipelas.

Used by the Caribs for eye inflammation, and 'the leaves have also been used as a tea in awssociation with mint thyme and salt to counteract shock. 'In Africa the leaf juice was used for Malaria'. Used in Martinique as a hot tea to bring on menstruation, and for wind or stomach pain.