The Benefits of the Use of Plantain in Herbal Preparations

The only contra-indication of plantain that is widely published is the very slight danger of someone who has allergies having a reaction to it. Test it out first by taking a small dose. A Russian site does not recommend plantain be given to women who want to get pregnant, are pregnant or are nursing. I could not find any supporting information, experiences or research that there is a problem with using it internally by pregnant or nursing women. (Mitrich, p.1) An article on plantain by the American Botanical Council written in 2000 states that there are no restrictions known for use during pregnancy or lactation and no known interactions with drugs. (“Plantain.” American Botanical Council, p. 3)

The only bad publicity on plantain was in 1997 when various lots of plantain had been adulterated with digitalis (toxic woolly foxglove). It was eventually traced to about 3,000 pounds of mislabeled material shipped from Germany to an importer/distributer in Wisconsin. No one died from this incident but a young woman was hospitalized with an abnormal heart rate and rhythm. So always be sure of what you gather and the companies that you purchase from.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Amarillo published in 1998 some information on drug interactions. They suggested that plantain, along with licorice, uzara root, hawthorn and ginseng may have an interfering reaction with digoxin pharmacodynamically or with digoxin monitoring.

Zamos Mitrich’s Russian Website also warns that plantain may interfere with antidiarrhea drugs. The author also states that being a diuretic it may have some drug interactions: “Increased risk of toxicity with anti-inflammatory analgesics; if hypokalemia occurs possible antagonism with antiarrhythmics and potentiation of muscle relaxants; antagonizes antidiabetic (hypoglycemic) drugs; may potentiate and/or interfere with antihypertensives; may potentiate lithium therapy; when taken with corticosteroids there is a risk of hypokalemia; may potentiate other diuretics and increase the risk of hypokalemia. Due to the antihypertensive (hypotensive) action of this herb the following interactions are possible when taken with anesthetics and increased hypotensive effect; potentiation of antihypertensives; when taken with diuretics difficulty with diuresis and hypertension may result; antagonism of sympathomimetics.” (Mitrich,p.1)

Several articles mentioned the need to have an awareness of most Plantago species’ ability to lower blood sugar, especially psyllium. Plantago may interfere with the body’s ability to absorb lithium which is a medication used to treat those who have bipolar. It also may interfere with carbamazepine a medication used to treat epilepsy. The suggestion is not to take Plantago seeds at the same time the drugs are taken. University of Michigan Health System Drug Information Service also states care should be taken using plantains with Antihyperlipidemics, it could possibly be additive. Their last warning was to not take plantains if you are using anticoagulants since plantains are high in Vitamin K.

Nine tenths of the information I was able to search stated that there were no contra-indications for plantains except for possible allergies. The German Commission E has approved this herb. Plantain is listed as safe-including for children. I have found no evidence of practitioners having difficulty with plantain. The study by David S. Senchina found no adverse reactions to plantain. I would feel comfortable educating people on the use of plantain.