Supplement
Plantago major seeds come from broadleaf plantain, a common weed, and contain mucilage, a gummy fiber that swells with water and adds bulk in the gut. People have long used them for bowel regularity, but the evidence is very limited, since no modern clinical trials on these seeds turned up. A mild bulk-forming effect is inferred from psyllium, a relative with similar fiber, so it remains an educated guess.
- Updated
- How we grade
- Best evidence
- Grade D
- Conditions studied
- 0
- Outcomes
- 1
- Graded outcomes
- 0001
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
General
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowel Regularity No modern clinical trials identified. Traditional use supports a mild bulk-forming laxative effect due to mucilage fiber content similar to psyllium (Plantago ovata), but direct evidence for Plantago major seeds specifically is absent. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect |
Key findings
- Bowel RegularityImproves (the measure goes up)