Ribwort Plantain Leaf

Ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata L. belongs to plantain family (Plantaginaceae), its name comes from elongated shape of leaves which reminds of head of lance. In Poland it is present widely in the area of whole country and it is cosidered as common weed. However, there are intentional crops of ribwort plaintain from which medicinal material is gained – leaves of ribwort plaintain Plantaginis lanceolatae folium. This raw material contains phenolics acids, mainly acteoside, mucilages, iridoid glycosides i.a. aukubin, catalpol and mineral salts mainly silicon. Leaf and its processed products are used as traditional medicament to ease the cough symptoms during cold and irritations caused by dry cough, it also akts anti-inflammatory and protective on mucous membranes.