Botanical Index No. 868

Ribwort

plantago lanceolata

Medicinal Actions

Analgesic, Antiatherosclerotic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antiedemic, Antiinflammatory, Antitussive, Astringent, Decongestant, Diuretic, Expectorant, Hepatoprotective, Hypocholesterolemic, Hypoglycemic, Hypotriglyceridemic, Laxative, Lipolytic, Litholytic

Primary Conditions Treated

Demulcent Emollient Hemostat Vulnerary Adenopathy Aposteme Asthma Atherosclerosis Bacteria Bleeding Blister Bronchosis Bug Bite Cancer eye lip parotid Catarrh Cold Colitis Congestion Conjunctivosis Constipation Cough Cramp Cystosis Dermatosis Diabetes Diarrhea Dysentery Earache Enterosis Enuresis Escherichia Fever Furuncle Gallstone Gas Gastrosis Gonorrhea Gout Hematuria Hepatosis High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol Hypercholesterolemia Hyperglycemia Hypertriglyceridemia IBS Infection Inflammation Mucososis Nephrosis Ophthalmia Pain Parotosis Pertussis Pharyngosis Pulmonosis Respirosis Rheumatism Sore Staphylococcus Stomatosis Swelling Tuberculosis Ulcer Ulcerative Colitis Urogenitosis VD Water Retention Wound

General Dosage

2–6 g shoot/dose up to 12–40 g/day; 2–4 g shoot/cup water.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 1. None known or reported. “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages”. Some plantains may cause dermatosis. Contraindicated in GI stenosis, obstructed bowel, or poorly managed diabetes. Often causes allergy in hospital professionals. Like all high-fiber products, this may hinder absorption and/or uptake of more dangerous drugs. Mucilage from any plantain seed may lower cholesterol.

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