PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS ENGLISH PLANTAIN/279

peduncles. The flowers are small, almost colorless behind

scarious, narrow-acuminate bracts. The scarious calyx is

deeply divided into 4 parts and has a cylindrical tube and a

margin with 4 ovate tips. There are 4 long stamens with

yellowish-white filaments and anthers and 1 superior ovary.

The fruit is a bivalvular, 3 to 4 mm long capsule. The seeds

are oblong, 2 mm long and blackish.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is perennial and grows

from 5 to 50 cm high. It has a very fibrous root. All the

leaves are in basal rosettes and are lanceolate or linear-

lanceolate, deeply 3 to 5 ribbed, entire-margined or short-

dentate.

Habitat: The plant is widespread in the cool temperate

regions of the world.

Production: English Plantain herb consists of the fresh or

dried above-ground parts of Plantago lanceolata, harvested at

flowering season (May to September) and dried quickly at 40

to 50° C.

Not to be Confused With: the similar Digitalis-lanata leaves.

Other Names: Buckhorn, Chimney-Sweeps, Headsman,

Narrow-Leaved Plantain, Ribgrass, Ribwort, Ripplegrass,

Soldier's Herb

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Iridoide monoterpenes (2-3%): chief components are aucu-

bin (rhinantin) and catalpol as well as asperuloside

Mucilages (2-6%): glucomannans, arabinogalactane, rham-

nogalacturonane

Flavonoids: including among other chief components apige-

nine-6,8-diglucoside, luteolin-7-glucuronide

Cqffeic acid esters: chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid,

acteoside (verbascoside)

Tannins

Hydroxycoumarins: aesculetin

Saponins (traces)

Silicic acid

EFFECTS
Liquid extract and the pressed juice of fresh Plantain herb
have a proven bactericidal effect. The aucubigenin (hydrol-
ised acubin) and an antimicrobial saponin are believed to be
responsible for the antibacterial effect. In addition, accelera-
tion of blood clotting has been demonstrated and a possible
epithelization effect has been mentioned.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Common cold


• Cough/bronchitis


• Fevers and colds


• Inflammation of the mouth and pharynx


• Inflammation of the skin

Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, the pressed juice of

English Plantain is used internally for conditions of the

respiratory tract, cystitis, enuresis, liver disease, stomach

cramps, diarrhea and as a diuretic.

Externally the plant is used for wounds, furuncles, conjuncti-

vitis and as a hemostyptic.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: As a comminuted herb and other

galenic preparations for internal and external use. It is

available as macerations, liquid extracts, lozenges, syrup and

pressed juice of the fresh plant. The drug is available in

many standardized preparations of antitussives and

expectorants.

Preparation: To make an infusion, pour boiling water over 2

to 4 gm cut drug (or put in cold water brought to a boil) and

strain after 10 minutes (1 teaspoonful = approximately 0.7

gm drug).

Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 3 to 6 gm of herb.

Tea—1 cup of freshly made tea to be drunk several times a

day.

LITERATURE

Brautigam M, Franz G, Schleimpolysaccharide aus

Spitzwegerichblattem. In: DAZ 125:58. 1985.

Davini E, The quantitative isolation and antimicrobial activity

of aglycone of aucubin. In: PH 25:2420. 1986.

Elich J, Die antibakterielle Aktivitat einiger einheimischer

Plantago-Arten. In: Disseration Universitat Berlin. 1962.

Koedam A, Plantago - history and use. In: Pharm Weekbl

112(10):246-252. 1977.

Murai M et al., Phenylethanoids in the herb of Planatago

lanceolata and inhibitory effects on arachidonic acid-induced

mouse ear edema. In: PM 61(5):479-480. 1995.

Wunderer H, Zentral und peripher wirksame Antitussiva: eine

kritische Ubersicht. In: PZ 142(11):847-852. 1997.