Ribwort plantain

Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) is one of the best-known representatives of the almost 200 plantain species. Originally from Europe, the ribwort plantain quickly spread to a number of colonized countries. It grows up to 40 cm tall, has bare or only slightly hairy stems, with long narrow leaves that form a basal rosette. Ribwort plantain grows inconspicuously along roadsides and in meadows. It flowers from April to September/October.

The leaves and flower stems are used phytotherapeutically, see Plantaginis lanceolatae herba.

Ribwort plantain juice or other ready-made preparations such as tinctures or syrup can be purchased in pharmacies. You can prepare a tea yourself.

In 2014, ribwort plantain was voted medicinal plant of the year due to its well-known healing properties. Plantago lanceolata is the parent plant of Plantaginis lanceolatae herba , the official ribwort plantain herb (DAB) for which a Commission E monograph is available.

Extracts of ribwort plantain are used as a cough remedy. It is also said to have good effects on wound healing.

Cosmetics: The leaf extracts of ribwort plantain are used under the INCI label "Plantago lanceolata extract" or also as"Plantago lanceolata leaf extract".

Iridoid glycosides (aucubin, Catalpol); polysaccharides; tannins of the tannin type, flavonoids, silicic acid.

Preparations: Bronchostad®, breast and cough tea Stada® N,

The suffix "rich" means "king", so that the name plantain can be explained as "king of the paths".

Cave: Monitoring of digoxin or digoxin levels may be impaired.

Contraindication: Allergy to ribwort plantain

1. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/spitzwegerich.php
2. Wenigmann M.(2017) Phytotherapie Arzneidrogen Phytopharmaka Anwendung. Urban & Fischer: 5.107 Ribwort plantain leaves (Plantaginis lanceolatae folium) p 196-197
3. https://pflanzen.fnr.de/industriepflanzen/arzneipflanzen/pflanzen-datenbank
4. https://heilkraeuter.de/lexikon/spitzweg.htm