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Broadleaf plantain

Plantain is a plant whose leaves and seeds are used to make medicine. Plantain is used for bladder infections, bronchitis, colds and irritated or bleeding hemorrhoids. It is also used to kill germs and reduce swelling. Some people apply broadleaf plantain directly to the affected areas for skin conditions or eye irritation.

How does plantain work?

Plantain contains substances that may help reduce inflammatory swelling and pain, reduce mucus production and open the airways. Plantain may also be able to kill bacteria and fungi.

How effective is plantain?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of plantain for the following conditions.

  • Common colds: New research suggests that taking broadleaf plantain may help reduce the symptoms of the common cold.
  • Chronic bronchitis: New research suggests that broadleaf plantain may help in the treatment of chronic bronchitis.

There is also not enough scientific data on the effectiveness of plantain for bladder infections, and hemorrhoids, applied to the skin for skin conditions and applied to the eye for eye irritation. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of broadleaf plantain in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Broadleafplantain appears to be safe and harmless for most adults when taken orally. However, it can cause side effects including diarrhea and low blood pressure. It may not be safe to apply plantain to the skin. It can cause allergic skin reactions.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: It is not safe to use plantain during pregnancy. Plantain can affect the uterus and increase the risk of miscarriage. Not enough is known about the safety and harmlessness of plantain during breastfeeding, so breastfeeding women should avoid plantain to be on the safe side.

Allergies to melons: People who are allergic to melons could also be allergic to plantain. You should avoid plantain if you suffer from this type of allergy.

Allergies to plantain: You should avoid plantain if you are allergic to any member of the plantain family.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of plantain depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to determine appropriate dosage ranges for plantain. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.