Ribwort plantain

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

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Last updated on: 03.08.2023

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Synonym(s)

lanceolate plantago; plantain (engl.)

Definition
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Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) is one of the best-known representatives of the nearly 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 glabrous or only slightly hairy stems, with long narrow leaves that form a basal rosette. Ribwort grows inconspicuously along roadsides and in meadows. It blooms from April to September/October.

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

In pharmacies you can buy ribwort juice or other ready preparations, such as tinctures or syrup. One can prepare a tea oneself.

General information
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In 2014 Ribwort Plantain was chosen as the medicinal plant of the year because of its well-known medicinal properties. Plantago lanceolata is the parent plant of Plantaginis lanceolatae herba , the official ribwort herb (DAB) for which a monograph of Commission E is available.

Extracts of ribwort are used as a cough suppressant. It is also said to have good effects in wound healing.

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



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

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

Note(s)
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The suffix "rich" means "king", so the name plantain can be explained as "king of the ways".

Cave: Monitoring of digoxin or digoxin level may be affected.

Literature
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  1. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/spitzwegerich.php
  2. Wenigmann M.(2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs phytopharmaceuticals application. Urban & Fischer: 5.107 Ribwort plantain leaves (Plantaginis lanceolatae folium) pp 196-197.
  3. https://pflanzen.fnr.de/industrial-plants/medicinal-plants/plant-database.