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Plantago lanceolata

Plantago lanceolata

Other names: Jitrocel

Narrow rosette and cylindrical flower spikes.

Basal rosette of lanceolate leaves.

Family
Plantaginaceae
Plant type
Perennial herb
Safety level (indicative)
Generally recognised as safe
What the safety levels mean (expand legend)
  • Generally recognised as safe. Often a common herb with reasonable harvest and use; still read the specific warnings on the card.
  • Information. Primarily informational — details in the text and warnings below matter most.
  • Caution. Needs extra care (dose, duration, sensitive groups, interactions).
  • Risky. Significant risks — verify sources, contraindications and professional guidance.
  • Not for home experimentation. Not suitable to experiment with at home without knowledge and certainty.
  • High risk for internal use. Particular risk with internal use (e.g. alkaloids); avoid prolonged or irresponsible dosing.
  • Not specified. Level not filled in yet — rely on individual warnings and links below.
Jitrocel kopinatý — habitus rostliny (Wikimedia Commons).

Fotografie na Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Plant habit

Quick overview

A practical summary; details are in the sections below.

Safety grade
Generally recognised as safe·details
Scientific sources on the card
Yes — sources are listed with claims·Science section
When and what to harvest
  • Leaf — April–October
Full harvest section
Processing methods

Herbal infusion (tea), Salve / ointment, Poultice / compress

All methods and recipes on the card
Topics and symptoms

Breathing comfort, Bruises & scars (topical care), Complexion and local blemishes…

Topics section · Symptoms overview

Identification and mix-ups

Parallel venation.

Possible mix-ups and risks

Distinguish from greater plantain.

Similar herbs

  • Stinging nettle

    Jarní zelen a „plevelové“ saláty; kopřiva žahavá, jitrocel ne — pozor na určení.

  • Dandelion

    Jarní luční byliny v zeleni a čajích; jiná aromata a určení úboru.

Topics and symptoms

More topics are in the symptoms and topics overview.

Geographic occurrence

  • Czechia

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Austria

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Germany

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Hungary

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Poland

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Slovakia

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • France

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Myanmar

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Japan

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Morocco

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Canada

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Australia

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • South Africa

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

Harvest

  • LeafApril–October

    vegetace

    Region: Czechia

    Notes: Harvest note (full translation pending): Listova ruzice.

Storage

  • Drying(Leaf)

    Sušený rostlinný materiál uchovávej v uzavřené nádobě.

    Light:
    Mimo přímé UV.
    Moisture:
    Nízká relativní vlhkost.

Processing methods on this herb card

  • Herbal infusion (tea)(Leaf)Suitability: High suitability

    Infusion or brief extraction in hot water; usually without long boiling.

    Full method description (from the catalogue)

    In the narrow sense, “tea” often means an infusion: you pour water just off the boil over the dried plant matter and let it steep for a few minutes. Temperature, steep time, and the herb-to-water ratio change both flavour and what dissolves into the liquid.

    Compared with a decoction, heat exposure is shorter and gentler; tender leaves and flowers are often better as an infusion than with prolonged simmering. For each herb, always follow the plant card for suitable plant part, preparation, and safety notes — general rules never replace species-level judgement.

    Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no

    Procedure (recipe)

    Ribwort plantain leaf tea

    About 12 min · Difficulty: Beginner

    1. Use 1–2 teaspoons of dried leaf per cup (use less fresh leaf and steep for a shorter time).
    2. Pour boiling water, cover, and steep 8–12 minutes.
    3. Strain — a thicker, more mucilaginous mouthfeel is common.

    Make sure you identify the species correctly if you harvest your own material.

    Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)

    Home preparation following this recipe is mainly educational and cultural in intent; it does not automatically match the extraction or safety profile of registered medicines or standardized extracts. Check specific effects, drug interactions, and contraindications on the herb card and with a clinician if you use medication.

    What is typically released
    orientační domácí extrakce — profil závisí na teplotě, času řezu a poměrech
    Solvent / water
    mediální složení (voda, alkohol, olej, med…) viz jednotlivé kroky
    After preparation
    po přípravě uchovávej hygienicky a podle typu výrobku (chlad, světlo, alkohol)

    Extra literature for the recipe

  • Salve / ointment(Leaf)Suitability: Medium suitability

    Solid base (wax, fat) with herbal extract or macerate; usually topical.

    Full method description (from the catalogue)

    Salves combine extracted or finely ground herb with fat and often beeswax. Consistency depends on ratios; protective or emollient salves aim for a skin film with slow release.

    Clean work reduces microbial contamination; refrigerated storage may extend life per recipe.

    Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no

    Procedure (recipe)

    Simple ribwort plantain salve

    About 50 min · Difficulty: Intermediate

    1. Prepare a leaf oil macerate (weeks cold or brief water-bath warming — do not overheat).
    2. Strain the oil, measure it; per 100 ml add about 10–12 g beeswax.
    3. Melt in a water bath, stir to combine, pour into tins and let set.

    Home salve is not a registered medicine; stop if any ingredient irritates.

    Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)

    Home preparation following this recipe is mainly educational and cultural; it should not be assumed to match the extractive or safety profile of registered medicines or standardized extracts. Check specific effects, drug interactions, and contraindications on the herb card and with your clinician if you use prescription drugs.

    What is typically released
    orientační domácí extrakce — profil závisí na teplotě, času řezu a poměrech
    Solvent / water
    mediální složení (voda, alkohol, olej, med…) viz jednotlivé kroky
    After preparation
    po přípravě uchovávej hygienicky a podle typu výrobku (chlad, světlo, alkohol)

    Extra literature for the recipe

  • Poultice / compress(Leaf)Suitability: High suitability

    Liquid or paste on the skin, often through a thin cloth.

    Full method description (from the catalogue)

    A compress applies moist warm or cool material to the skin directly or through fabric. Duration and temperature are key — too hot can burn; too long can macerate the skin.

    Use clean textiles and watch skin reaction during the first minutes.

    Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no

    Procedure (recipe)

    Ribwort plantain compress

    About 25 min · Difficulty: Beginner

    1. Steep 2 tsp dried leaf in 250 ml boiling water under a lid for 10 minutes, strain, and cool.
    2. Soak a clean cloth in the infusion and apply to intact skin for 10–15 minutes.
    3. Confirm species identification if you harvest your own material.

    You can also use the cooled infusion externally; stop if allergy symptoms appear.

    Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)

    Home preparation following this recipe is mainly educational and cultural; it should not be assumed to match the extractive or safety profile of registered medicines or standardized extracts. Check specific effects, drug interactions, and contraindications on the herb card and with your clinician if you use prescription drugs.

    What is typically released
    orientační domácí extrakce — profil závisí na teplotě, času řezu a poměrech
    Solvent / water
    mediální složení (voda, alkohol, olej, med…) viz jednotlivé kroky
    After preparation
    po přípravě uchovávej hygienicky a podle typu výrobku (chlad, světlo, alkohol)

    Extra literature for the recipe

Traditional / spiritual use

Kept separate from science — entries are cultural or symbolic, not medical advice.

Related guides in the library

  • Paths, boots, and the plantain leaf on the road

    General

    Traditional useFolk useHerbal lore

    Ribwort plantain tracks paths, verges, and boots after a walk; folk tales linked it with feet and simple leaf tea. The symbolism is practical and outdoor, not a treatment claim.

    Form:
    čaj, zevní spojení v lidové praxi
    Claim strength:
    Tradition
    Source note:
    European folk road nicknames (e.g. waybread) — cultural layer only.

Scientific notes

Each claim lists a study type and a source (URL or DOI) where available. Dose notes from the literature are informational only.

How to read evidence strength and study type labels

Labels summarise how the catalogue entry is tagged — they are not a medical verdict on efficacy. For every row, read the summary, limitations and source link.

Evidence strength

Evidence level not specified
The author did not grade the record; judge from the summary, limitations and source link.
Narrative / orientational literature
Descriptive or expert literature without controlled group comparison — context rather than proof of effect.
Weak evidence
Study or conclusion with major methodological limits; treat only as a pointer for further reading.
Preliminary findings
First or smaller studies — interesting direction, not the final word on efficacy or safety.
Moderate strength of evidence
Moderate strength by study design; sample and context limits still apply.
Stronger evidence
Stronger design or consistency of results within the study’s stated limits.
Review article
A review summarises multiple sources; quality depends on review method and field.

Study type

Narrative / expert text
Expert text or overview without a classical study design.
In vitro study
Cell culture or test-tube experiment — does not show an effect in the body.
Animal study
Animal model — transfer to humans is not automatic.
Observational study
Observing groups without random treatment assignment; confounding is possible.
Clinical trial
Human clinical trial; sample size and control group matter.
Randomised controlled trial
Randomised controlled trials are among the stronger designs when well conducted.
Review study
A review aggregates multiple papers — quality depends on selection rules.
Systematic review
Systematic review with explicit search and selection methodology.
Meta-analysis
Statistical pooling of studies; outcome depends on input data and heterogeneity.
Regulatory assessment / monograph (EMA, WHO…)
Regulatory body summary for a herbal product — different context from a single RCT; often about products, not home tea.
Expert monograph (herbal preparations)
Structured literature summary for a plant or drug — quality depends on author and edition year.

  • Ribwort plantain leaf is discussed in reviews of mucilage-containing herbs for soothing topical or oral applications; human data for cough endpoints are modest and heterogeneous.

    Evidence level not specifiedNarrative / expert text

    Limitations: Preparation strength varies; roadside contamination is a real-world issue; not a substitute for infection care when red flags appear.

    Vstup do odborné literatury (orientační)

Images

The main photo is in the card header. More images will appear here when available.

Safety

What the warning types mean

The type on each warning helps group themes — it does not replace the separate severity badge.

Internal use
Risks from swallowing, extracts, duration of use or concentration for internal use.
Interactions / medicines
Possible effect on medicines or concurrent treatment — check sources and a professional.
Raw plant parts
Raw, unripe or poorly prepared plant parts can be dangerous.
Toxins and regulation
Toxic constituents or regulated compounds (e.g. in distillates).
Contact with the plant
Skin or mucosa irritation from contact with fresh plant or sap.
Allergy
Allergic reactions, often linked to family sensitisation.
Harvesting and contamination
Contamination, species mix-ups or harvesting from unsuitable places.

No structured safety records yet.