A perennial herbaceous plant with narrow lance-shaped leaves, widely used in traditional medicine for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Ribwort plantain (Tee ya Barwa), scientifically known as Plantago lanceolata, is a common perennial herb found throughout Southern Africa. It grows 15-45 cm tall with distinctive narrow, lance-shaped leaves that form a basal rosette. The plant produces tall, slender flower spikes with tiny brownish flowers. Native to Europe but naturalized worldwide, it thrives in grasslands, roadsides, and disturbed areas. The leaves contain mucilage, tannins, and other compounds that give the plant its medicinal properties. Ribwort plantain has been used for centuries in traditional medicine across many cultures for treating wounds, respiratory issues, and digestive problems.