Plantago major seeds (greater plantain seed)

Also called greater plantain seed, broadleaf plantain seed, common plantain seed, barhang seed, Plantago major.

Best grade C across 4 graded outcomes Botanical Last checked Oct 21, 2026

The short answer

From 9 sources

Plantago major seed comes from greater plantain, a different species from psyllium (Plantago ovata). Small Iranian trials tested roasted or powdered seed alongside standard care or lifestyle advice in ulcerative colitis, fatty liver disease and diabetic kidney disease, with some favourable lab and symptom results. Each finding rests on one small trial, and no health agency has reviewed it.

Every graded outcome on this page

4 rows · line = participants

Grade CLiver enzymes and triglycerides in nonalcoholic fatty liver diseaseFatty livern 74
Grade CSerum leptin and VEGF-A in obese womenObesity markersn 72
Grade CUlcerative colitis symptoms (Lichtiger Colitis Activity Index items)Ulcerative colitisn 61
Grade CProteinuria in diabetic kidney diseaseKidney protein lossn 60

Key facts

Not psyllium: Psyllium is Plantago ovata; greater plantain is Plantago major, a different species, so psyllium evidence does not transfer^9,8
Largest seed trial: 74 adults with fatty liver disease, 2 g seed or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks; ALT, AST and triglycerides improved vs placebo, 63 finished²
Trial setting: Every seed trial was run by Persian-medicine departments in Iran and added the seed to standard care or lifestyle advice^1,2,3
Funding: No industry sponsor is named in the seed-trial abstracts; the fatty-liver trial authors declared no conflicts²
Agency safety reviews: No ODS, NCCIH, LactMed, LiverTox, Health Canada or EMA monograph covers Plantago major seed (EMA's plantain monographs cover other species)⁶

What it is

Plantago major seed is the seed of greater plantain, a common weed used as roasted seed in Persian traditional medicine.

How it works

Proposed

Reviews list flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolic acid derivatives, iridoid glycosides, fatty acids and polysaccharides among the plant's constituents. Lab and animal studies, not human data, suggest anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. How the seed might act in people at the doses studied is unknown.^7,8

Forms, side by side

2 forms named in our sources. The rest show what our data holds, and say plainly where it holds nothing yet.

Plantago major seeds (greater plantain seed) forms compared

2 forms

Plantago major seeds (greater plantain seed) forms compared: 2 forms by 3 attributes. Empty cells are labelled No data yet, or Not graded in the evidence row.
2 forms	Whole or roasted seed powder	Leaf extracts, syrups and suppositories
Absorption in people	No head-to-head human data¹	No head-to-head human data⁵
GI tolerance	The seed-trial abstracts do not report adverse-event rates; tolerability has not been characterized.^1,2,3	Not covered on this page; leaf preparations are a different product from the seed.⁵
Studied for	Ulcerative colitis symptoms, fatty liver disease, diabetic kidney disease	Heavy menstrual bleeding (leaf and seed extracts, including suppositories)

Whole or roasted seed powder
Absorption in people
No head-to-head human data¹
GI tolerance
The seed-trial abstracts do not report adverse-event rates; tolerability has not been characterized.^1,2,3
Studied for
Ulcerative colitis symptoms, fatty liver disease, diabetic kidney disease
Leaf extracts, syrups and suppositories
Absorption in people
No head-to-head human data⁵
GI tolerance
Not covered on this page; leaf preparations are a different product from the seed.⁵
Studied for
Heavy menstrual bleeding (leaf and seed extracts, including suppositories)

What the human research says

Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form line shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.

Trial map

4 graded outcomes, largest study first

4 graded outcomes: 2 improved, 1 mixed, 1 worsened. The largest, a 2021 randomized trial of 74 people on liver enzymes and triglycerides in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, found an improvement. One outcome found a worsening: serum leptin and VEGF-A in obese women (72 people).

By sizeTable

1Liver enzymes and triglycerides in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Improved · Grade C · RCT, 74 people, 2021

Iranian adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, also given diet and exercise advice

Dose, result and source

Every graded outcome on this page, largest study first
Outcome	Found	People	Study	Who was studied
Liver enzymes and triglycerides in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease	Improved	74	Grade C · RCT, 2021	Iranian adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, also given diet and exercise advice
Serum leptin and VEGF-A in obese women	Worsened	72	Grade C · RCT, 2021	Women with obesity (Poland)
Ulcerative colitis symptoms (Lichtiger Colitis Activity Index items)	Mixed	61	Grade C · RCT, 2021	Iranian adults with ulcerative colitis on standard medication
Proteinuria in diabetic kidney disease	Improved	60	Grade C · RCT, 2024	Iranian adults with diabetic nephropathy on losartan

Every graded row

4 rows

Form tested

Showing 4 of 4 outcomes. Human trials only.

Grade CLiver enzymes and triglycerides in nonalcoholic fatty liver diseaseFatty liverLower ALT, AST, triglyceridesRCT
n 74 · 2021

Improved Double-blind trial vs placebo. ALT, AST, triglycerides, waist circumference and ultrasound fatty-liver grade improved more with the seed. Fasting glucose, HDL, LDL and total cholesterol did not differ. 63 of 74 finished.

Design: RCT, n = 74, 2021
Population: Iranian adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, also given diet and exercise advice
Form: Plantago major seed
Dose: 2 g twice daily (4 g/day)
Duration: 12 weeks
Source: Reference 2 · PubMed 33854559 (opens PubMed)

Grade CSerum leptin and VEGF-A in obese womenObesity markersLeptin roseRCT
n 72 · 2021

Worsened Placebo-controlled. Leptin was higher at the end in the Plantago group, and the rise tracked increases in VEGF-A. The authors concluded the supplement may intensify endothelial dysfunction and angiogenesis in obese women.

Design: RCT, n = 72, 2021
Population: Women with obesity (Poland)
Form: Oral Plantago major supplement (plant part not stated in the abstract)
Dose: Not stated in the abstract
Duration: 12 weeks
Source: Reference 4 · PubMed 33502416 (opens PubMed)

Grade CUlcerative colitis symptoms (Lichtiger Colitis Activity Index items)Ulcerative colitisSome symptom items betterRCT
n 61 · 2021

Mixed Double-blind trial vs roasted wheat flour. Abdominal tenderness, reflux and stomach pain were less severe with the seed. Visible blood in stool, bloating and anal pain fell within the seed group but did not differ from control. 51 of 61 finished.

Design: RCT, n = 61, 2021
Population: Iranian adults with ulcerative colitis on standard medication
Form: Roasted Plantago major seed
Dose: 3,600 mg/day
Duration: 8 weeks
Source: Reference 1 · PubMed 34265576 (opens PubMed)

Grade CProteinuria in diabetic kidney diseaseKidney protein lossLess proteinuriaRCT
n 60 · 2024

Improved Open-label trial vs standard care alone. 24-hour urine protein fell from 165.04 to 135.84 mg with the seed and was lower than in the control group after treatment (135.84 vs 192.04 mg). Quality-of-life score rose more. Fasting glucose, BUN, creatinine and potassium did not differ.

Design: RCT, n = 60, 2024
Population: Iranian adults with diabetic nephropathy on losartan
Form: Plantago major seed powder with sweet almond
Dose: 10 g sachet twice daily (20 g/day), plus sweet almond
Duration: 60 days
Source: Reference 3 · PubMed 38797623 (opens PubMed)

What the numbers add up to

Each point is worked out from the data and the sources numbered on this page, with the arithmetic shown under it. It adds no new data and is not medical advice.

Same genus, different plant

Shoppers searching for plantain seed can land on psyllium (Plantago ovata) or Plantago major. The trials on this page tested Plantago major seed only, at gram-level doses taken alongside standard medical care.^1,2,3,9

Studied doses

Doses used in research, shown against the official limits. They describe the studies, not a recommendation for you.

Studied doses in research, not advice. These are amounts used in research, not personal advice. Your clinician or pharmacist can say what fits you.

Doses studied in human trials

Doses studied in human trials ranged from 3.6 g/day of roasted seed for 8 weeks to 20 g/day of seed powder (with sweet almond) for 60 days; the placebo-controlled fatty-liver trial used 4 g/day for 12 weeks. These are research doses, not recommendations.^1,2,3

Interactions and safety

Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.

Interactions

0 agents

None found in our sources.

Check with what you take

Kept on this device only

Add what you take. We list every interaction our evidence profiles cite between Plantago major seeds and your picks, and between your picks.

Add a supplement or medicine

Most cited:

Add a supplement or medicine you take to check it against Plantago major seeds.

Starting from one medicine? The interaction checker rates how serious each pair is, on a curated list of 19 entries for 11 medicines. This cabinet has no severity rating: it lists every interaction row our supplement pages cite.

Who should be careful

4 groups

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: No ODS, NCCIH, LactMed, LiverTox, Health Canada or EMA source covers Plantago major seed. NCCIH notes that many dietary supplements have not been tested in pregnant or nursing women.⁶
People on medicines: No drug-interaction data were found in ODS, NCCIH, LactMed, LiverTox, Health Canada or EMA sources. NCCIH advises telling your health care providers about any supplement, since supplements can interact with medicines.⁶
Kidney, liver or bowel disease: The trials added the seed to supervised standard care for colitis, fatty liver and diabetic kidney disease; the evidence is too thin to replace that care.^1,2,3
Before surgery: NCCIH advises telling the surgical team about every supplement in advance, since some can affect bleeding or anesthesia.⁶

How to read the label

What to check on the Supplement Facts panel.

How to read the label

3 checks

Check the species name

Psyllium is Plantago ovata; this page covers Plantago major (greater plantain). A label that says only "plantago" or "plantain" may be either, and the trials of one do not apply to the other.^9,8

Seed, not leaf

The graded trials used seed: roasted seed for colitis and seed powder for fatty liver and kidney disease. Leaf extracts and suppositories are different products, studied for other uses such as heavy menstrual bleeding.^1,2,3,5

Grams of seed per day

Trials gave 3.6–4 g of seed a day, or 20 g of seed powder with sweet almond in one open-label trial. Check the grams of seed per serving rather than the number of capsules.^1,2,3

Have the bottle? Photograph its Supplement Facts panel and see each line, plantago major seeds (greater plantain seed) included, beside the doses and forms the trials used in Label X-Ray.

Frequently asked questions

Short answers to common questions; the numbers link to the sources below.

Common questions

5 answers

Does Plantago major seed help fatty liver?

One 12-week placebo-controlled trial in 74 Iranian adults found lower ALT, AST and triglycerides with 2 g twice daily. It has not been repeated.²

Is it safe?

The trial abstracts do not describe serious problems, but they also do not report adverse-event rates, no health agency has reviewed Plantago major seed, and safety in pregnancy, breastfeeding or with medicines is unknown.^1,2,3,6

What doses were studied?

3.6 g/day of roasted seed, 4 g/day of seed, and 20 g/day of seed powder with sweet almond in an open-label kidney trial.^1,2,3

Is Plantago major seed the same as psyllium?

No. Psyllium comes from Plantago ovata. Plantago major is greater plantain, a different species used in Persian traditional medicine. Trials of one do not apply to the other.^9,8

Was it tested for ulcerative colitis?

Yes, as an add-on to standard medication in one 8-week trial. Some symptoms improved more than with a wheat-flour placebo, but others, including visible blood in stool, did not differ between groups.¹

Sources

9 sources: trial abstracts, NIH fact sheets and reference databases. Numbers in the text link here.

Sources cited on this page

9 sources

1Efficacy of Plantago major seed in management of ulcerative colitis symptoms: A randomized, placebo controlled, clinical trial.RCT Complement Ther Clin Pract, 2021 · PMID 34265576
2The Efficacy of Plantago major Seed on Liver Enzymes in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial.RCT Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2021 · PMID 33854559
3Efficacy and safety of Plantago major seeds in patients with diabetic nephropathy: A randomized open-labeled controlled clinical trial.RCT Explore (NY), 2024 · PMID 38797623
4The effect of Plantago major supplementation on leptin and VEGF-A serum levels, endothelial dysfunction and angiogenesis in obese women - a randomised trial.RCT Food Funct, 2021 · PMID 33502416
5Possible therapeutic effects of Plantago major in women with high menstrual bleeding: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials.Systematic review Avicenna J Phytomed, 2026 · PMID 42011347
6Using Dietary Supplements WiselyFact sheet National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), 2019 · nccih.nih.gov
7Chemical constituents and medical benefits of Plantago major.Review Biomed Pharmacother, 2017 · PMID 29028587
8Plantago major in Traditional Persian Medicine and modern phytotherapy: a narrative review.Review Electron Physician, 2018 · PMID 29629064
9Natural Health Product Monograph: Psyllium - Plantago ovataGuideline Health Canada (NNHPD), 2018 · webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca

What changed

Every dated change to this page: what changed, who made it and why.

Change log

2 entries

Dated changes to this page
Date	Change	Who and why
Oct 21, 2026label guide, interactions check	Added a label guide (species, seed versus leaf, grams of seed). Re-searched PubMed for Plantago major seed trials through 2026: no seed trial newer than the 2024 kidney trial (PMID 38797623). Interactions re-checked: no published drug or supplement interactions, and LactMed has no entry; the page says interaction and pregnancy data are lacking. Fact-checked against the sources; corrected: removed "syrups" from the seed-versus-leaf label note, which the cited review does not mention.	Writer: Kymata Health EditorialTrigger: A–Z page audit
Oct 14, 2026all	Initial editorial evidence review	Writer: Kymata Health EditorialTrigger: new page

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