Buckhorn plantain
Scientific names: Plantago lanceolata
Family: Plantaginaceae
Alternate names: Buckhorn, Chimney-Sweeps, English Plantain, Headsman, Herbe aux Cinq Côtés, Herbe à Cinq Coutures, Hoary Plantain, Llantén, Llantén Menor, Oreille de Lièvre, Petit Plantin, Plantaginis Lanceolatae Herba, Plantain, Plantain à Feuilles Étroites, Plantain Lancéolé, Ribgrass, Ribwort, Ribwort Plantain, Ripplegrass, Small Plantain, Snake's Tongue, Soldier's Herb, Spitzwegerichkraut
Background
Buckhorn plantain is a plant. It grows throughout the world. People use the parts that grow above the ground for medicine.
Buckhorn plantain is used for common colds, fever, cough, wound healing, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse buckhorn plantain with common plantain (Plantago major). Also, don't mistake digitalis leaves for buckhorn plantain leaves. They look a lot alike. This is a problem because digitalis is unsafe. Be sure to get buckhorn plantain from trusted sources. There have been some reports of buckhorn plantain adulterated with digitalis.
Buckhorn plantain is used for common colds, fever, cough, wound healing, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse buckhorn plantain with common plantain (Plantago major). Also, don't mistake digitalis leaves for buckhorn plantain leaves. They look a lot alike. This is a problem because digitalis is unsafe. Be sure to get buckhorn plantain from trusted sources. There have been some reports of buckhorn plantain adulterated with digitalis.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Buckhorn plantain is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people in medicinal doses when taken by mouth. It can trigger allergies in sensitive people.
When applied to the skin: Buckhorn plantain is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people in medicinal doses when applied to the skin. It can trigger allergies in sensitive people.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if buckhorn plantain is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
When applied to the skin: Buckhorn plantain is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people in medicinal doses when applied to the skin. It can trigger allergies in sensitive people.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to take buckhorn plantain or apply it to your skin if you are pregnant. There is some evidence that buckhorn plantain can affect the muscle tone of the uterus.Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if buckhorn plantain is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Common cold.
- Cough.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the main airways in the lung (bronchitis).
- Fever.
- Painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis).
- Bed-wetting.
- Liver disease.
- Stomach cramps.
- Diarrhea.
- Sore mouth and throat, when applied to the affected area.
- Wound healing, when applied to the affected area.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the skin, when applied to the affected area.
- Pink eye, when applied to the affected area.
- Bleeding, when applied to the affected area.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of buckhorn plantain depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for buckhorn plantain. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Buckhorn Plantain interacts with any medicines. Before taking Buckhorn Plantain, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
Buckhorn plantain contains tannins and mucous-like substances that might help soothe painful and swollen (inflamed) areas. It might also have antibacterial effects.
Products
View all products
Per 10 mL:
- Plantago lanceolata (Ribwort) ext. equiv. dry 840 mg
- Sambucus nigra ext. equiv. dry 2.1 g
- Euphrasia officinalis ext. equiv. dry 1.05 g
- Echinacea purpurea ext. equiv. dry 1.05 g
- Achillea millefolium ext. equiv. dry 700 mg
- Tilia cordata ext. equiv. dry 700 mg
- Calendula officinalis ext. equiv. dry 420 mg
- Cinnamomum verum ext. equiv. dry 210 mg
- Pimpinella anisum (seed) oil
- Water
- Glycerol
- Alcohol
Practitioner product
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This monograph was last reviewed on 17/10/2023 11:00:00 and last updated on 04/09/2020 22:25:55. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
