Ribwort plantain – Plantago lanceolata
Ribwort plantain is widespread throughout Europe in dry meadows, fields, rubbish tips and along roadsides. Its mucilage forms a protective film over the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat in cases of bronchial disease. This relieves the bothersome tickle of a cough. The medicinal plant also has an anti-inflammatory effect and effectively fights bacteria.
Cough medicine by the wayside
Fields of application
The most important ingredients of ribwort are iridoids, mucilage and tannins, and the glycoside aucubin. The latter has been shown to have a disinfecting and antibacterial effect. The mucilage and tannins also have an antibacterial, expectorant and cough-promoting effect, which is why ribwort plantain Plantain tea is often used with great success for coughs, hoarseness, asthma and general colds. The plant is also used externally for wound treatment and skin inflammations because of its wound-healing effect. Fresh
Botanical characteristics
Ribwort plantain often grows near broadleaf plantain and medium plantain. However, it is not a problem to confuse them, as all types are beneficial. For the best effect, however, we prefer ribwort plantain. The plant's white-yellowish protruding flowers and its long, lance-shaped leaves with parallel veins are striking. They grow to a length of up to 20 centimetres, are arranged in rosettes and contain the essential active ingredients. The leaves can be harvested throughout the summer, but ideally they should be collected shortly before flowering, from May to September.