Plant Comparison

Ribwort Plantain vs Tormentil

A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.

First plant

Second plant

Plant ARibwort PlantainPlantago lanceolataPlantaginaceaeFull monograph →

Plant BTormentilPotentilla erectaRosaceaeFull monograph →

At a glance

Ribwort Plantain and Tormentil: they share 5 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, inflammation (general), skin irritation, …); 1 pharmacological action in common.

Ribwort PlantainTormentil

Constituents32

Pharmacological actions63

Indicated uses117

Safety notes22

Cited sources1315

Indicated uses

Only Ribwort Plantain

BronchitisBruisingCold & fluCoughImmune supportInfection (general)

Shared (5)

Arthritis / joint painInflammation (general)Skin irritationSore throatWounds

Only Tormentil

DiarrhoeaInflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Pharmacological actions

Only Ribwort Plantain

AntimicrobialAntiviralDemulcent (soothing mucilage)Immunomodulator / immune supportVulnerary (wound healing)

Shared (1)

Anti-inflammatory

Only Tormentil

AntidiarrhoealAstringent

Evidence face-off — shared uses

Condition	Ribwort Plantain	Tormentil	Verdict
Arthritis / joint pain	1/10	1/10	Comparable evidence
Inflammation (general)	1/10	3/10	Stronger for Tormentil
Skin irritation	1/10	6/10	Stronger for Tormentil
Sore throat	1/10	2/10	Comparable evidence
Wounds	2/10	5/10	Stronger for Tormentil

Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.

Key Constituents

Iridoid glycosides (aucubin, catalpol)^[11]

Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial constituents.

Iridoid glycosidesGlycosides

Mucilage polysaccharides (~2-3%)^[11]

Coat and protect inflamed mucous membranes and reduce cough-receptor sensitivity.

PolysaccharidesMucilage

Phenylethanoids (acteoside/verbascoside, plantamajoside) and flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin)^[11]

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents.

Verbascoside (acteoside)FlavonoidsApigeninLuteolin

Tannins (ellagitannins such as agrimoniin, and catechin-type tannins)^{[14, 15]}

The main astringent active constituents.

TanninsCatechins

Flavonoids and phenolic acids^[15]

Antioxidant supporting constituents.

Phenolic acidsFlavonoids

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[9, 11, 13]}

Anti-inflammatory for temporary mild inflammation of the mouth and throat (sore throat); in vitro the extract inhibits nitric oxide production and inducible NOS in macrophages, supporting its traditional respiratory anti-inflammatory use

Antimicrobial^{[1, 6, 11, 12]}

Antibacterial, antiviral and immunostimulant (in vitro)

Antiviral^{[11, 12]}

Antibacterial, antiviral and immunostimulant (in vitro)

Demulcent (soothing mucilage)^{[11, 12]}

Demulcent for catarrh of the respiratory tract and dry, irritating cough / bronchitis (mucilage soothes and protects irritated airways)

Immunomodulator / immune support^{[11, 12]}

Antibacterial, antiviral and immunostimulant (in vitro)

Vulnerary (wound healing)^{[7, 8, 11, 12]}

Vulnerary for minor wounds and insect bites (topical)

Anti-inflammatory^{[1, 4, 6, 9, 10, 14, 15]}

Anti-inflammatory gargle / mouthwash for sore throat and inflammation of the mouth and throat

Antidiarrhoeal^{[1, 4, 8, 14, 15]}

Astringent for mild diarrhoea (ellagitannins tighten the gut lining) - in a paediatric RCT, tormentil root extract shortened rotavirus diarrhoea (3 vs 5 days) and reduced rehydration needs

Astringent^{[2, 4, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15]}

Astringent for mild diarrhoea (ellagitannins tighten the gut lining) - in a paediatric RCT, tormentil root extract shortened rotavirus diarrhoea (3 vs 5 days) and reduced rehydration needs

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^{[11, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

Bronchitis^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

Demulcent for catarrh of the respiratory tract and dry, irritating cough / bronchitis (mucilage soothes and protects irritated airways)

Evidence: 1

Label: Bronchitis

Bruising^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from vulnerary action

Evidence: 1

Label: Bruising

Cold & flu^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from immunomodulator action

Evidence: 1

Label: Cold & flu

Cough^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

Demulcent for catarrh of the respiratory tract and dry, irritating cough / bronchitis (mucilage soothes and protects irritated airways)

Evidence: 1

Label: Cough

Immune support^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from immunomodulator action

Evidence: 1

Label: Immune support

Infection (general)^{[1, 6, 11, 12]}Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 2

Label: Infection (general)

Inflammation (general)^{[9, 11, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

Evidence: 1

Label: Inflammation (general)

Skin irritation^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from demulcent action

Evidence: 1

Label: Skin irritation

Sore throat^{[11, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

Evidence: 1

Label: Sore throat

Wounds^{[7, 8, 11, 12]}Traditional · 2/10

Vulnerary for minor wounds and insect bites (topical)

Evidence: 2

Label: Wounds

Arthritis / joint pain^{[14, 15]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

Diarrhoea^{[1, 4, 8, 14, 15]}Moderate · 5/10

Astringent for mild diarrhoea (ellagitannins tighten the gut lining) - in a paediatric RCT, tormentil root extract shortened rotavirus diarrhoea (3 vs 5 days) and reduced rehydration needs

Evidence: 5

Label: Diarrhoea

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)^{[9, 11, 15]}Limited · 3/10

Supportive in inflammatory bowel disease / ulcerative colitis (limited trial evidence)

Evidence: 3

Label: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Inflammation (general)^{[4, 10, 14, 15]}Limited · 3/10

Anti-inflammatory gargle / mouthwash for sore throat and inflammation of the mouth and throat

Evidence: 3

Label: Inflammation (general)

Skin irritation^{[6, 8, 10, 14, 15]}Moderate · 6/10

inferred from astringent action

Evidence: 6

Label: Skin irritation

Sore throat^{[7, 13, 14, 15]}Traditional · 2/10

Anti-inflammatory gargle / mouthwash for sore throat and inflammation of the mouth and throat

Evidence: 2

Label: Sore throat

Wounds^{[8, 14, 15]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from astringent action

Evidence: 5

Label: Wounds

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^[11]Info

Generally very well tolerated. A cough or throat irritation that persists beyond about a week, or is accompanied by fever or breathlessness, needs medical assessment.

Safety note^[11]Caution

Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended in the absence of adequate data.

Safety note^[14]Info

Tannin-rich: high or prolonged intake may cause stomach upset or constipation and can reduce the absorption of iron and some medicines taken at the same time.

Safety note^[14]Caution

Diarrhoea persisting more than 3-4 days, or with fever or blood in the stool, needs medical care. Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended in the absence of data.

External Ids

Gbif: 8208358

Wikidata: Q157408

Gbif: 5365576

Wikidata: Q160098

Botanical Description

Perennial herb (Plantaginaceae) forming a low rosette of narrow, lance-shaped leaves with prominent parallel ribs (hence 'ribwort'). Slender, furrowed, leafless flowering stalks rise from the rosette bearing a dense, short, dark brown-black ovoid to cylindrical flower spike ringed by a 'collar' of protruding cream-white stamens.^[11]

Height: Low rosette; flowering stalks 10-45 cm

Habit: Low rosette-forming perennial herb

Leaves: Narrow, lance-shaped, prominently 3-5-ribbed, in a basal rosette

Flowers: Dense, short, dark brown-black ovoid to cylindrical spike with a ring of cream-white stamens

Stem: Slender, furrowed, leafless flowering stalk

Root: Fibrous perennial rootstock

Fruit: Small capsule with 1-2 seeds

Flowering Period: May-September

Low, sprawling to semi-erect perennial herb (Rosaceae) with wiry stems. Leaves are palmate, typically with 4-5 leaflets and large leaf-like stipules that give the impression of more leaflets. Flowers are small, yellow and four-petalled - unusual among Potentilla species, most of which have five petals. The thick, woody rhizome is reddish inside when cut, the origin of the old name 'bloodroot' for this European species.^[14]

Height: Low, sprawling to semi-erect, stems to about 30-45 cm

Habit: Low, sprawling to semi-erect perennial herb

Leaves: Palmate, typically 4-5 leaflets, with large leaf-like stipules

Flowers: Small, yellow, four-petalled (unusual among Potentilla species)

Stem: Wiry, sprawling to semi-erect

Root: Thick, woody rhizome, reddish inside when cut

Fruit: Small dry achenes (typical Rosaceae)

Flowering Period: May-September

Habitat

Native throughout Europe and temperate Asia and naturalised worldwide; common in grassland, meadows, lawns, roadsides and waste ground, tolerating trampling and a wide range of soils.^[11]

Native to Europe and western Asia, common in acidic grassland, heath, moorland, open woodland and pastures on poor, well-drained soils.^[14]

Harvesting

Leaves and aerial parts are gathered during the growing season, ideally before or during flowering, and dried quickly.^[11]

Parts: Leaf (aerial parts)

Season: Growing season, before or during flowering

The rhizome is dug in autumn or early spring, when tannin content is highest, then cleaned and dried.^[14]

Parts: Rhizome

Season: Autumn or early spring

Traditional Uses

Ribwort plantain has an official European herbal-monograph tradition for the temporary relief of dry cough and irritation of the mouth and throat, and for minor skin wounds, reflecting its long folk use as a demulcent respiratory remedy and wound herb. Modern research confirms mucilage-driven demulcent action alongside antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity.^{[11, 12]}

Tormentil rhizome has an official European herbal-monograph tradition for mild diarrhoea and inflammation of the mouth and throat, reflecting its long folk use as a powerful astringent for gut and mucous-membrane complaints. Modern trials confirm its ellagitannin-rich rhizome shortens the duration of infectious (rotavirus) diarrhoea.^{[8, 14, 15]}

Preparations

Infusion (tea)^[11]

Dried leaf steeped in hot water for cough and sore throat.

Fresh pressed juice / syrup^[12]

Fresh leaf juice, traditionally made into a cough syrup, often combined with honey.

Poultice^[12]

Crushed fresh leaf applied to minor wounds and insect bites.

Decoction^[14]

Dried rhizome simmered in water, the standard astringent preparation for diarrhoea.

Tincture^[15]

Alcoholic extract, taken diluted or used as a gargle/mouthwash.

Gargle/mouthwash^[15]

Diluted decoction or tincture used for sore throat and mouth inflammation.

Dosage

Infusion (tea)^{[11, 12]}

EMA/ESCOP herbal-monograph guidance suggests roughly 2-4 g dried leaf per cup as an infusion, up to three times daily, or an equivalent liquid extract. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Decoction/tincture^{[14, 15]}

EMA/ESCOP guidance suggests around 4-6 g dried rhizome (or an equivalent decoction), divided into 2-3 doses daily, for diarrhoea, or a diluted tincture used as a gargle several times daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

References

REF-0960, REF-0961, REF-0962, REF-0963, REF-0964, REF-0965, REF-0966, REF-0967, REF-0968, REF-0969

REF-0970, REF-0971, REF-0972, REF-0973, REF-0974, REF-0975, REF-0976, REF-0602, REF-0977, REF-0978, REF-2592, REF-2593, REF-2594

Lookalikes Review

Outcome: none-known

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Outcome: none-known

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

References & Sources

Laanet, P.R., Bragina, O., Joul, P. and Vaher, M (2024) 'Plantago lanceolata and Plantago major Exhibit Antioxidant and Borrelia burgdorferi Inhibiting Activities', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(13), pp. 7112. doi:10.3390/ijms25137112 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137112
Budzianowska, A. and Budzianowski, J (2022) 'A new flavonoid, a new phenylethanoid glycoside and related compounds isolated from the inflorescences of Plantago lanceolata L', Natural Product Research, 36(15), pp. 3813-3824. doi:10.1080/14786419.2021.1888289 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2021.1888289
Gadermaier, G., Eichhorn, S., Vejvar, E., Weilnbock, L. and others (2014) 'Plantago lanceolata: an important trigger of summer pollinosis with limited IgE cross-reactivity', Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 134(2), pp. 472-475. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2014.02.016 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2014.02.016
Sousa, R., Osorio, H., Duque, L., Ribeiro, H., Cruz, A. and Abreu, I (2014) 'Identification of Plantago lanceolata pollen allergens using an immunoproteomic approach', Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology, 24(3), pp. 177-183. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25011355/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25011355/
Reza, M.M., Redoy, M.R.A., Rahman, M.A., Ety, S. and others (2021) 'Response of plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) supplementation on nutritional, endo-parasitic, and endocrine status in lambs', Tropical Animal Health and Production, 53(1), pp. 82. doi:10.1007/s11250-020-02514-0 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02514-0
Rahamouz-Haghighi, S., Bagheri, K., Mohsen-Pour, N. and Sharafi, A (2022) 'Evaluation of Cytotoxicity and Antibacterial Activities of Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) Root Fractions and Phytochemical Analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry', Archives of Razi Institute, 77(6), pp. 2131-2143. doi:10.22092/ARI.2022.358045.2143 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.22092/ARI.2022.358045.2143
Kovac, I., Durkac, J., Holly, M., Jakubcova, K. and others (2015) 'Plantago lanceolata L. water extract induces transition of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and increases tensile strength of healing skin wounds', Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 67(1), pp. 117-125. doi:10.1111/jphp.12316 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/jphp.12316
Jaric, S., Kostic, O., Mataruga, Z., Pavlovic, D. and others (2017) 'Traditional wound-healing plants used in the Balkan region (Southeast Europe)', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 211, pp. 311-328. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.09.018 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2017.09.018
Zeng, X., Guo, F. and Ouyang, D (2019) 'A review of the pharmacology and toxicology of aucubin', Fitoterapia, 140, pp. 104443. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2019.104443 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2019.104443
Drava, G., Cornara, L., Giordani, P. and Minganti, V (2019) 'Trace elements in Plantago lanceolata L., a plant used for herbal and food preparations: new data and literature review', Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 26(3), pp. 2305-2313. doi:10.1007/s11356-018-3740-1 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3740-1
European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'European Union herbal monograph on Plantago lanceolata L., folium (Plantaginis lanceolatae folium)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/plantaginis-lanceolatae-folium Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/plantaginis-lanceolatae-folium
ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy) (n.d.) 'Plantaginis lanceolatae folium-herba (Ribwort Plantain Leaf/Herb) monograph', pp. com. Available at: https://www.escop.com/downloads/ribwort-plantain-leaf-herb/ Traditional / reference
https://www.escop.com/downloads/ribwort-plantain-leaf-herb/
Vigo, E., Cepeda, A., Gualillo, O. and Perez-Fernandez, R (2005) 'In-vitro anti-inflammatory activity of Pinus sylvestris and Plantago lanceolata extracts: effect on inducible NOS, COX-1, COX-2 and their products in J774A.1 murine macrophages', Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 57(3), pp. 383--391. doi:10.1211/0022357055605 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1211/0022357055605

Bandick, R., Busmann, L.V., Mousavi, S., Shayya, N.W. and others (2023) 'Therapeutic Effects of Oral Application of Menthol and Extracts from Tormentil (Potentilla erecta), Raspberry Leaves and Loosestrife during Acute Murine Campylobacteriosis', Pharmaceutics, 15(10), pp. 2410. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics15102410 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15102410
Fecka, I., Kucharska, A.Z. and Kowalczyk, A (2015) 'Quantification of tannins and related polyphenols in commercial products of tormentil (Potentilla tormentilla)', Phytochemical Analysis, 26(5), pp. 353-366. doi:10.1002/pca.2570 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.2570
Marcinczyk, N., Jarmoc, D., Leszczynska, A., Zakrzeska, A. and others (2017) 'Antithrombotic Potential of Tormentil Extract in Animal Models', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 8, pp. 534. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00534 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2017.00534
Melzig, M.F. and Bottger, S (2020) 'Tormentillae rhizoma - Review for an Underestimated European Herbal Drug', Planta Medica, 86(15), pp. 1050-1057. doi:10.1055/a-1129-7214 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1129-7214
Marcinczyk, N., Golaszewska, A., Gromotowicz-Poplawska, A., Misztal, T. and others (2021) 'Multidirectional Effects of Tormentil Extract on Hemostasis in Experimental Diabetes', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, pp. 682987. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.682987 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.682987
Hoffmann, J., Gendrisch, F., Schempp, C.M. and Wolfle, U (2020) 'New Herbal Biomedicines for the Topical Treatment of Dermatological Disorders', Biomedicines, 8(2), pp. 27. doi:10.3390/biomedicines8020027 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8020027
Tomczyk, M., Sosnowska, K., Pleszczynska, M., Strawa, J. and others (2017) 'Hydrogel Containing an Extract of Tormentillae rhizoma for the Treatment of Biofilm-Related Oral Diseases', Natural Product Communications, 12(3), pp. 417-421. doi:10.1177/1934578x1701200328 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578x1701200328
Subbotina, M.D., Timchenko, V.N., Vorobyov, M.M., Konunova, Y.S., Aleksandrovih, Y.S. and Shushunov, S (2003) 'Effect of oral administration of tormentil root extract (Potentilla tormentilla) on rotavirus diarrhea in children: a randomized, double blind, controlled trial', The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 22(8), pp. 706--711. doi:10.1097/01.inf.0000078355.29647.d0 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1097/01.inf.0000078355.29647.d0
Wan, P., Chen, H., Guo, Y. and Bai, A.P (2014) 'Advances in treatment of ulcerative colitis with herbs: from bench to bedside', World Journal of Gastroenterology, 20(39), pp. 14099-14104. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i39.14099 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v20.i39.14099
Wolfle, U., Hoffmann, J., Haarhaus, B., Rao Mittapalli, V. and Schempp, C.M (2017) 'Anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive properties of Potentilla erecta - A traditional medicinal plant from the northern hemisphere', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 204, pp. 86-94. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.03.058 Clinical study
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Moss, A.C. and Cheifetz, A.S (2007) 'Reducing the torment of diarrhea: tormentil for active ulcerative colitis', Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 41(9), pp. 797-798. doi:10.1097/MCG.0b013e3180684255 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1097/MCG.0b013e3180684255
Shushunov, S., Balashov, L., Kravtsova, A., Krasnogorsky, I., Latte, K.P. and Vasiliev, A (2009) 'Determination of acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of Potentilla erecta (Tormentil) rhizomes in rats and mice', Journal of Medicinal Food, 12(5), pp. 1173-1176. doi:10.1089/jmf.2008.0281 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2008.0281
Kirsch, J., Jung, A., Hille, K., Konig, B., Hannig, C., Kolling-Speer, I., Speer, K. and Hannig, M (2020) 'Effect of fragaria vesca, hamamelis and tormentil on the initial bacterial colonization in situ', Archives of Oral Biology, 118, pp. 104853. doi:10.1016/j.archoralbio.2020.104853 Preclinical
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European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'European Union herbal monograph on Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch., rhizoma (Tormentillae rhizoma)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/tormentillae-rhizoma Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/tormentillae-rhizoma
ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy) (n.d.) 'Tormentillae rhizoma (Tormentil) monograph', pp. com. Available at: https://www.escop.com/downloads/tormentil/ Traditional / reference
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Ribwort Plantain monograph Tormentil monograph Compare other plants

Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.