Ribwort plantain

the leaf of ribwort plantain (Plantaginis folium)

Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) is a perennial with lance-shaped leaves in a rosette at ground level, marked with parallel, raised veins; that is how it is recognised even without flowers. The flower stem is bare, with a short brown spike and white stamens. It grows beside every path, in meadows and on pastures all over Slovenia.

The leaves are gathered from spring to midsummer, leaving out any that are brown or damaged; they are gathered in dry weather, away from roads and cultivated fields. The leaves are dried quickly and in the shade, spread in a thin layer, or they blacken, which is the sign that they are spoilt.

It is told from greater plantain (Plantago major) by its narrow leaf and is the better of the two for preparations. In Ašič's collection the leaf of ribwort plantain is the main ingredient of Chest Tea, where it makes up more than a third.

Use and evidence

The EMA recognises traditional use to soothe irritation of the mouth and throat with a dry cough and to help with minor inflammation of the skin. It does not treat asthma, pneumonia or tuberculosis. EMA.