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Dietary supplement

Plantago Spp. Plantain Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Wise Woman Herbals

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Plantago Spp. Plantain is a dietary supplement by Wise Woman Herbals with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for constipation, diarrhea, high cholesterol.Based on those ingredients, 2,025 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Plantain. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Plantago Spp. Plantain by Wise Woman Herbals

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • “Proprietary Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (3 mL) without saying how much of each component you get.

This product contains one active ingredient: plantain (also known as black psyllium). Plantain is a type of fiber derived from psyllium seeds and is used as a natural laxative and to support heart health.

The liquid also includes spring water and organic alcohol as inactive ingredients.

Does it work?

Strong evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded Black Psyllium's overall clinical evidence instead.

Strong

Strong clinical evidence supports Black Psyllium for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Constipation — rated "Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Coronary heart disease (CHD) — rated "Likely Effective" (Natural Medicines).

Plantain is effective for constipation and likely effective for coronary heart disease (CHD)—meaning the evidence supports its use for these purposes. For weight loss (obesity) and diarrhea, the evidence isn't established strongly enough for us to rate it.

Talk with your doctor about whether plantain is right for your specific situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Black Psyllium

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Plantain is generally well tolerated when you drink plenty of water with it. The most common side effects are bloating and flatulence, which usually fade and can be reduced by starting with a small dose and increasing gradually.

Rare but serious side effects include bowel or esophageal obstruction if you don't take it with enough fluids—so hydration is key. A small number of people exposed to airborne psyllium dust (nurses, factory workers) have developed allergic reactions including wheezing, asthma rashes, and even anaphylaxis; if you ingest psyllium after such exposure, tell your doctor before using this product.

Little specific safety data exists beyond these notes, so use it only under professional guidance.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Black Psyllium

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Black Psyllium.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: heart-rhythm medications; lithium.
  • For scale: 2,026 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check your exact medications before starting, especially: diabetes drugs like metformin, mood stabilizers like lithium, seizure medications like carbamazepine, antipsychotics like olanzapine, birth control pills, and heart medications like digoxin. Psyllium can reduce how much of these your body absorbs.

To minimize this effect, take plantain 30–60 minutes after your other medications.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with strong clinical evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Plantain works well for constipation and supports heart health, and most people tolerate it without trouble if they drink enough water. If you take any prescription medications—especially diabetes drugs, mood stabilizers, seizure medications, antipsychotics, birth control, or heart drugs—check them against our interaction tool before you start.

Talk with your pharmacist to make sure the timing works with your other medications.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 24, 2023.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Plantago Spp. Plantain, straight from the product label.

Brand Wise Woman Herbals
Barcode (UPC) 748840013322
Net contents 2 Fluid Ounce(s); 60 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 24, 2023
DSLD ID 284897
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Plantago Spp. Plantain by Wise Woman Herbals, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
15 Drop(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
60 Drop(s)
Servings per container
20
UPC/BARCODE
748840013322
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Blend3 mL--
Plantain0 NP--

Other ingredients: spring Water, organic Alcohol

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: Shake well. Add 15-60 drops to water, 1-4 times per day.

Formulation

The presence of particulate matter in this product is normal.

Precautions

Caution: Keep out of the reach of children.

General Statements

Botanical formula

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Storage

Store in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight with the lid tightly sealed.

See for yourself

Plantago Spp. Plantain by Wise Woman Herbals label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Plantago Spp. Plantain by Wise Woman Herbals

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size15 Drop(s) Dosage formLiquid Servings per container20 Amounts shown are per serving.

Proprietary Blend

3 mL per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Spring Water, Organic Alcohol. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Plantago Spp. Plantain by Wise Woman Herbals Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Plantago Spp. Plantain?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
2,025Drugs
23 Moderate 2,002 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Plantain 2,025

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Plantago Spp. Plantain with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Plantain7 drug types · 2,025 drugs

Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

Theoretically, black psyllium might reduce the effects of carbamazepine and increase the risk for convulsions.
Theoretically, black psyllium might reduce carbamazepine absorption. A preliminary study using blond psyllium reported decreased carbamazepine bioavailability due to binding of the drug to psyllium, as well as reduction of available fluid in the gut for dissolution of the drug. This interaction may also occur with black psyllium.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Lithium

Theoretically, taking black psyllium at the same time as lithium might reduce lithium absorption.
The fiber in black psyllium might reduce lithium absorption and plasma levels. Some case reports describe a reduction in plasma lithium levels with concomitant administration of blond psyllium. This was reversed when psyllium was stopped. This interaction may also occur with black psyllium.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Metformin (Glucophage)

Theoretically, black psyllium might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
Animal research shows that concurrent consumption of blond psyllium with metformin slows and increases the absorption of metformin. This interaction may also occur with black psyllium. To avoid changes in absorption, take psyllium 30-60 minutes after metformin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

Theoretically, taking black psyllium at the same time as olanzapine might reduce olanzapine absorption.
The fiber in black psyllium might decrease the absorption of olanzapine. A single case report describes a reduction in the effectiveness of olanzapine when it was concomitantly administered with an unspecified type of psyllium 3 grams orally twice daily. This effect was reversed when psyllium was stopped.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Theoretically, taking black psyllium at the same time as digoxin might reduce digoxin absorption and decrease digoxin levels.
Psyllium might bind digoxin in the gut. However, some clinical evidence suggests that psyllium does not impact digoxin absorption.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Ethinyl Estradiol

Theoretically, taking black psyllium at the same time as ethinyl estradiol might alter levels of estradiol.
Concurrent use of blond psyllium with ethinyl estradiol results in a slight increase in the extent of ethinyl estradiol absorption and a slower rate of absorption. This is unlikely to be clinically significant.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Oral Drugs

Theoretically, psyllium might increase, decrease, or have no effect on the absorption of oral drugs.
Psyllium seems to have variable effects on drug absorption. To avoid changes in absorption, take psyllium 30-60 minutes after oral medications. Animal research shows that blond psyllium delays and increases the absorption of metformin and ethinyl estradiol. Case reports and animal research suggest that blond psyllium might reduce absorption of lithium, digoxin, olanzapine, and carbamazepine. Finally, some pharmacokinetic studies show that psyllium does not affect the absorption of levothyroxine or warfarin. Although many of these studies evaluated blond psyllium, the fiber content in black psyllium may have similar effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Plantago Spp. Plantain, from the product label.

Wise Woman Herbals

See all Wise Woman Herbals products
Name
Wise Woman Herbals
City
Creswell
State
OR
ZipCode
97426
Phone Number
541.895.5152
Web Address
wisewomanherbals.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Plantago Spp. Plantain by Wise Woman Herbals: Common Questions

Does Plantago Spp. Plantain by Wise Woman Herbals interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Plantago Spp. Plantain has a known interaction with 2,025 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Plantago Spp. Plantain contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
What does plantain do in this product?
Plantain (black psyllium) is a plant fiber used as a natural laxative for constipation and to support heart health. It works by absorbing water and adding bulk to your stool.
What are the most common side effects?
Bloating and flatulence are the most common side effects. These usually go away on their own and often improve if you start with a small dose and increase it gradually.
How do I prevent blockages or choking?
Always take plantain with plenty of water—at least 8 ounces. If you don't drink enough fluid with it, you risk bowel or esophageal obstruction.
Is plantain safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Plantain is likely safe during pregnancy and lactation. That said, check with your doctor before use, especially if you have any concerns about your specific situation.
How far apart should I take plantain and my other medications?
Take plantain at least 30–60 minutes after your other medications to avoid it binding to them in your gut and reducing their absorption.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Plantago Spp. Plantain is safe with your meds?

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Plantago Spp. Plantain label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Plantago Spp. Plantain's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 18 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Black Psyllium 18 references
  1. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  3. Covington TR, et al. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. 11th ed. Washington, DC: American Pharmaceutical Association, 1996.
  4. Etman M. Effect of a bulk forming laxative on the bioavailablility of carbamazepine in man. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 1995;21:1901-6.
  5. Perlman BB. Interaction between lithium salts and ispaghula husk. Lancet 1990;335:416.
  6. Vaswani SK, Hamilton RG, Valentine MD, Adkinson NF. Psyllium laxative-induced anaphylaxis, asthma, and rhinitis. Allergy 1996;51:266-8. PubMed
  7. Lantner RR, Espiritu BR, Zumerchik P, Tobin MC. Anaphylaxis following ingestion of a psyllium-containing cereal. JAMA 1990;264:2534-6. DOI
  8. Kaplan MJ. Anaphylactic reaction to "Heartwise." N Engl J Med 1990;323:1072-3. DOI
  9. Nordstrom M, Melander A, Robertsson E, Steen B. Influence of wheat bran and of a bulk-forming ispaghula cathartic on the bioavailability of digoxin in geriatric in-patients. Drug Nutr Interact 1987;5:67-9..
  10. Robinson DS, Benjamin DM, McCormack JJ. Interaction of warfarin and nonsystemic gastrointestinal drugs. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1971;12:491-5. PubMed
  11. Garcia JJ, Fernandez N, Diez MJ, et al. Influence of two dietary fibers in the oral bioavailability and other pharmacokinetic parameters of ethinyloestradiol. Contraception 2000;62:253-7. PubMed
  12. Fernandez N, Lopez C, Díez R, et al. Drug interactions with the dietary fiber Plantago ovata husk. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2012;8(11):1377-86.
  13. Semen plantaginis in: WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, volume 1. World Health Organization, Geneva, 1999. Available at http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js2200e/. Accessed November 26, 1026.
  14. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21 (21CFR 101.17). Food labeling warning, notice, and safe handling statements. Available at www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=20f647d3b74161501f46564b915b4048&mc=true&node=se21.2.101_117&rgn=div8. Accessed December 3, 2
  15. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21 (21CFR 201.319). Specific labeling requirements - water-soluble gums, hydrophilic gums, and hydrophilic mucilloids. Available at www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=201.319. Accessed Dece
  16. Diez R, Garcia JJ, Diez MJ, Sierra M, Sahagun AM, Fernandez N. Influence of Plantago ovata husk (dietary fiber) on the bioavailability and other pharmacokinetic parameters of metformin in diabetic rabbits. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017 Jun 7;17(1):298. PubMed
  17. Chiu AC, Sherman SI. Effects of pharmacological fiber supplements on levothyroxine absorption. Thyroid. 1998;8(8):667-71. PubMed
  18. Merrick C, Madden CA, Capurso NA. A Case of Blunted Orally Disintegrating Olanzapine Effect Due to Coadministered Psyllium. J Clin Psychiatry 2021;82(2):20cr13633. PubMed

See these in context on the Black Psyllium monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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