Plant Comparison
Marshmallow Root vs Greater Burdock
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.
At a glance
Marshmallow Root and Greater Burdock: they share 4 indicated uses (cancer (anticancer research), eczema, indigestion, …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Marshmallow Root | Greater Burdock | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 7/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Marshmallow Root |
| Eczema | 5/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Marshmallow Root |
| Indigestion | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 5/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Marshmallow Root |
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
The principal soothing, film-forming constituents; the isolated rhamnogalacturonan also shows direct antitussive activity in animal models.
Burdock root is a rich source of prebiotic inulin-type fructans (fructooligosaccharides) along with chlorogenic and caffeic acids, the lignans arctiin and arctigenin, cynarine and quercetin, which underlie its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and gut-supporting activity.
Pharmacological Actions
Althaea officinalis root extract and its polysaccharides show chemopreventive/anticancer activity, including protection against chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis (preclinical).
Antitussive (calms dry, irritating cough) - in animal studies the root rhamnogalacturonan suppresses the cough reflex dose-dependently, comparably to codeine, via 5-HT2 receptors rather than bronchodilation
Demulcent for irritation of the mouth or throat and associated dry cough (mucilage coats and soothes); Eases mild stomach and gut discomfort, including heartburn / acid reflux and indigestion (protective mucilage)
Burdock (Arctium lappa) extracts and the lignan arctigenin inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in colon, breast, lung and gastric cancer cells, attenuate melanoma progression and reduce preneoplastic colon lesions in vivo (preclinical).
Traditional & Indicated Uses
Eases mild stomach and gut discomfort, including heartburn / acid reflux and indigestion (protective mucilage)
Althaea officinalis extract is chemoprotective against N-diethylnitrosamine-induced liver carcinogenesis, and marshmallow polysaccharides show documented anticancer activity (preclinical/chemopreventive).
Antitussive (calms dry, irritating cough) - in animal studies the root rhamnogalacturonan suppresses the cough reflex dose-dependently, comparably to codeine, via 5-HT2 receptors rather than bronchodilation; Demulcent for irritation of the mouth or throat and associated dry cough (mucilage coats and soothes)
Eases mild stomach and gut discomfort, including heartburn / acid reflux and indigestion (protective mucilage)
Topical soothing for irritated skin
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from digestive action
Arctium lappa root reduces diet-induced preneoplastic colon lesions and suppresses melanoma progression; its lignan arctigenin induces apoptosis in colon (HT-29), breast (in vitro/in vivo), lung and gastric cancer cells and chemosensitizes them to doxorubicin (preclinical).
inferred from digestive action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Very well tolerated. The mucilage can slow the absorption of other medicines, so take other drugs about an hour before or after marshmallow.
It may mildly lower blood sugar (caution alongside antidiabetic medicines). Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended in the absence of adequate data.
Generally safe as a food plant. Allergic reactions are possible in those sensitive to Asteraceae. Avoid in pregnancy due to uterine-stimulating effects reported in animal studies. The burs (seed heads) can cause mechanical irritation of skin and eyes on contact. Not recommended in biliary obstruction.
Duke (2002) rates burdock as +++ and notes antibacterial, antimutagenic, antitumor, choleretic, diuretic, and prebiotic (bifidogenic) activities at the experimental level (score 1). The root is rich in inulin (a prebiotic fructooligosaccharide), which promotes growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria. Dose: 1–2 g dried root in tea three times daily, or 2–4 ml of tincture. Duke notes burdock's general safety, though it belongs to the Asteraceae family and can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals. It should be distinguished from belladonna and similar plants, which resemble it in early growth (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Soft, downy perennial herb with an erect, branching stem and broad, soft, velvety, greyish-green leaves, shallowly 3-5-lobed and toothed. Pale pink to white five-petalled flowers, typical of the mallow family, are borne singly or in small clusters in the leaf axils. The thick, fleshy, whitish taproot is the main medicinal part, rich in soothing mucilage.[11]
Robust biennial herb forming a large rosette of huge, heart-shaped (rhubarb-like), long-stalked leaves, dark green above and whitish-woolly beneath, in its first year. In the second year it sends up a tall, branching, grooved flowering stem bearing purple thistle-like flower heads enclosed in a globe of stiff, hooked bracts that ripen into the familiar clinging burrs.[1, 2]
Habitat
Grows in damp meadows, salt marshes, ditches and riverbanks, especially near brackish or coastal wetlands; native to Europe, Western Asia and North Africa.[11]
A common weed of disturbed ground, waste places, roadsides, field margins and riverbanks on rich, moist soils; native to Europe and temperate Asia and naturalised in North America and elsewhere.[2]
Harvesting
The root is dug in autumn from plants at least two years old, when mucilage content is highest, then washed, peeled and dried quickly to prevent mould, given its high mucilage and sugar content.[11]
The root is dug at the end of the first growing season (autumn) or early in the second spring, before the flowering stem develops, when it is at its most tender and richest in inulin; leaves are picked through the first year, and the seed/fruit is collected from the dried burrs in the second autumn. Careful identification against deadly nightshade, whose root can resemble burdock, is essential before digging.[11]
Traditional Uses
Marshmallow root has an ancient reputation, reflected in its Greek name 'Althaea' (to heal), as a soothing demulcent for irritated mucous membranes: dry cough and sore throat, and mild inflammation and discomfort of the stomach and gut. It has also been applied topically as a soothing poultice for irritated skin.[11]
Preparations
Dried root macerated in cold water for several hours to extract the maximum mucilage without degrading it, then strained; the classic preparation for cough and digestive demulcent use.
Dried root gently simmered in water; a warmer alternative preparation, though prolonged heat can reduce mucilage yield.
Dried or fresh root simmered in water as a traditional alterative and digestive decoction.
Tincture of the dried root, ethanol 45% V/V or 25% V/V, 8-12 ml three times daily per the EU herbal monograph. The monograph states the ethanol strength but no drug-extract ratio, so no 1:5 ratio is claimed here. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Fresh root peeled and cooked as a root vegetable (gobo), continuing the traditional food-medicine use.
Dosage
The EU herbal monograph describes traditional use of about 0.5-3 g dried root per cup as a cold macerate, taken up to several times daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
The EU herbal monograph on Arctium lappa L., radix gives, for adults and elderly, a single dose of 2-6 g of the comminuted root as an infusion, 3 times daily; a powdered herbal substance at 350 mg 3-5 times daily, a liquid extract at 2-8 mL 3 times daily and a soft extract at 0.2 g per dose (1-2 g daily) are also listed. Not recommended under 18 years, and a practitioner should be consulted if symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
The EU herbal monograph gives 8-12 mL three times daily, for tinctures in either 45% V/V or 25% V/V ethanol, in adults and elderly. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
References & Sources
- Mahboubi, M (2020) 'Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis L.) and Its Potency in the Treatment of Cough', Complementary Medicine Research, 27(3), pp. 174-183. doi:10.1159/000503747 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1159/000503747 - Xue, T., Ruan, K., Tang, Z., Duan, J. and others (2023) 'Isolation, structural properties, and bioactivities of polysaccharides from Althaea officinalis Linn.: A review', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 242(Pt 4), pp. 125098. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125098 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125098 - Mohsenikia, M., Rafiee, S., Rozei, L.S., Ebrahimi, A. and others (2020) 'Althaea officinalis improves wound healing in rats: a stereological study', Drug Discoveries & Therapeutics, 14(5), pp. 239-242. doi:10.5582/ddt.2020.03056 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.5582/ddt.2020.03056 - Wang, Z., Jiang, X., Zhang, L. and Chen, H (2023) 'Protective effects of Althaea officinalis L. extract against N-diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in male Wistar rats through antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, mitochondrial apoptosis and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways', Food Science & Nutrition, 11(8), pp. 4756-4772. doi:10.1002/fsn3.3455 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.3455 - Karimi, S., Ghanbarzadeh, B., Roufegarinejad, L. and Falcone, P.M (2021) 'Polysaccharide extracted from Althaea officinalis L. root: New studies of structural, rheological and antioxidant properties', Carbohydrate Research, 510, pp. 108438. doi:10.1016/j.carres.2021.108438 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carres.2021.108438 - Naseri, V., Chavoshzadeh, Z., Mizani, A., Daneshfard, B. and others (2021) 'Effect of topical marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) on atopic dermatitis in children: A pilot double-blind active-controlled clinical trial of an in-silico-analyzed phytomedicine', Phytotherapy Research, 35(3), pp. 1389-1398. doi:10.1002/ptr.6899 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6899 - Bonaterra, G.A., Schmitt, J., Schneider, K., Schwarzbach, H. and others (2022) 'Phytohustil and root extract of Althaea officinalis L. exert anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties and improve the migratory capacity of endothelial cells', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, pp. 948248. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.948248 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.948248 - Xue, T.T., Yang, Y.G., Tang, Z.S., Duan, J.A. and others (2022) 'Evaluation of antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, nitric oxide production inhibitory activities and chemical profiles of the active extracts from the medicinal and edible plant: Althaea officinalis', Food Research International, 156, pp. 111166. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111166 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111166 - Amini, F., Namjooyan, F., Zomorodian, K., Zareshahrabadi, Z. and others (2023) 'The efficacy of complementary treatment with marshmallow (Althaea officinalis L.) on vulvovaginal candidiasis: A randomized double-blinded controlled clinical trial', Explore (NY), 19(6), pp. 813-819. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2023.04.005 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2023.04.005 - Berry, J (1884) 'Althaea officinalis', The Hospital, 1(6), pp. 85-86. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Althaea%20officinalis - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'European Union herbal monograph on Althaea officinalis L., radix (Althaeae radix)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/althaeae-radix Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/althaeae-radix - Sutovska, M., Nosalova, G., Sutovsky, J., Franova, S., Prisenznakova, L. and Capek, P (2009) 'Possible mechanisms of dose-dependent cough suppressive effect of Althaea officinalis rhamnogalacturonan in guinea pigs test system', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 45(1), pp. 27--32. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2009.03.008 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2009.03.008 - ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy) (n.d.) 'Althaeae radix (Marshmallow Root) monograph', pp. com. Available at: https://www.escop.com/downloads/althaea-radix-marshmallow-root/ Traditional / reference
https://www.escop.com/downloads/althaea-radix-marshmallow-root/ - Sutovska, M., Capek, P., Franova, S., Joskova, M., Sutovsky, J., Marcinek, J. and Kalman, M (2011) 'Antitussive activity of Althaea officinalis L. polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan and its changes in guinea pigs with ovalbumine-induced airways inflammation', Bratislavske Lekarske Listy, 112(12), pp. 670--675. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Antitussive%20activity%20of%20Althaea%20officinalis%20L.%20polysaccharide%20rhamnogalacturonan%20and%20its%20changes%20in%20guinea%20pigs%20with%20ovalbumine-induced%20airways%20inflammation
- Chan, Y.S., Cheng, L.N., Wu, J.H., Chan, E., Kwan, Y.W., Lee, S.M.Y., Leung, G.P.H., Yu, P.H.F. and Chan, S.W (2010) 'A review of the pharmacological effects of Arctium lappa (burdock)', Inflammopharmacology, 19(5), pp. 245--254. doi:10.1007/s10787-010-0062-4 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-010-0062-4 - de Souza, A.R.C., de Oliveira, T.L., Fontana, P.D., Carneiro, M.C., Corazza, M.L., de Messias Reason, I.J. and Bavia, L (2022) 'Phytochemicals and Biological Activities of Burdock (Arctium lappa L.) Extracts: A Review', Chemistry and Biodiversity, 19(11). doi:10.1002/cbdv.202200615 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202200615 - Yosri, N., Alsharif, S.M., Xiao, J., Musharraf, S.G., Zhao, C., Saeed, A., Gao, R., Said, N.S., Di Minno, A., Daglia, M., Guo, Z., Khalifa, S.A.M. and El-Seedi, H.R (2023) 'Arctium lappa (burdock): insights from ethnopharmacology potential, chemical constituents, clinical studies, pharmacological utility and nanomedicine', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 158, pp. 114104. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114104 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114104 - Mondal, S.C. and Eun, J.B (2022) 'Mechanistic insights on burdock (Arctium lappa L.) extract effects on diabetes mellitus', Food Science and Biotechnology, 31(8), pp. 999--1008. doi:10.1007/s10068-022-01091-2 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-022-01091-2 - Shyam, M. and Sabina, E.P (2024) 'Harnessing the power of Arctium lappa root: a review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic applications', Natural Products and Bioprospecting, 14(1), pp. 49. doi:10.1007/s13659-024-00466-8 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13659-024-00466-8 - Gao, Q., Yang, M. and Zuo, Z (2018) 'Overview of the anti-inflammatory effects, pharmacokinetic properties and clinical efficacies of arctigenin and arctiin from Arctium lappa L', Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 39(5), pp. 787-801. doi:10.1038/aps.2018.32 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1038/aps.2018.32 - Jin, X., Liu, S., Chen, S., Wang, L., Cui, Y., He, J., Fang, S., Li, J. and Chang, Y (2023) 'A systematic review on botany, ethnopharmacology, quality control, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of Arctium lappa L. fruit', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 308, pp. 116223. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.116223 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2023.116223 - Shukla, S., Kakade, M., Cherian, S., Alagarasu, K. and Parashar, D (2024) 'Arctigenin from Arctium lappa L. inhibits chikungunya virus by affecting its entry and replication', Phytomedicine, 128, pp. 155491. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155491 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155491 - Nascimento, B.A.C., Gardinassi, L.G., Silveira, I.M.G., Gallucci, M.G., Tome, M.A., Oliveira, J.F.D., Moreira, M.R.A., Meirelles, A.F.G., Faccioli, L.H., Tefe-Silva, C. and Zoccal, K.F (2019) 'Arctium lappa extract suppresses inflammation and inhibits melanoma progression', Medicines, 6(3), pp. 81. doi:10.3390/medicines6030081 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines6030081 - Lu, N., Wei, J., Gong, X., Tang, X., Zhang, X., Xiang, W., Liu, S., Luo, C. and Wang, X (2023) 'Preventive effect of Arctium lappa polysaccharides on acute lung injury through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities', Nutrients, 15(23), pp. 4946. doi:10.3390/nu15234946 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15234946 - Moro, T.M.A. and Clerici, M.T.P.S (2020) 'Burdock (Arctium lappa L) roots as a source of inulin-type fructans and other bioactive compounds: Current knowledge and future perspectives for food and non-food applications', Food Research International. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109889 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109889 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2011) 'Community herbal monograph on Arctium lappa L., radix'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-arctium-lappa-l-radix_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-arctium-lappa-l-radix_en.pdf - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - World Health Organization (2002) 'WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=WHO%20Monographs%20on%20Selected%20Medicinal%20Plants - Xu, Z., Li, Y., Jiang, D. and Deng, L (2008) 'Arctium lappa L.: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology', 121(2), pp. 167--184. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Arctium%20lappa%20L.%3A%20A%20review%20of%20its%20traditional%20uses%2C%20phytochemistry%2C%20and%20pharmacology - Romualdo, G.R., Silva, E.D.A., Da Silva, T.C., Aloia, T.P.A., Nogueira, M.S., De Castro, I.A. and others (2019) 'Burdock (Arctium lappa L.) root attenuates preneoplastic lesion development in a diet and thioacetamide-induced model of steatohepatitis-associated hepatocarcinogenesis', Environmental Toxicology, 35(4), pp. 518--527. doi:10.1002/tox.22887 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.22887 - Chen, Y.-F. and Liu, R.-Z. and Ying, W.-W. and Yang, Y.-N. and Xiang, S.-F. and Shao, X.-J. and Cao, J. and Zhang, Y.-Q. and Yang, B. and He, Q.-J. and Ying, M.-D (2022) 'Arctigenin impairs UBC12 enzyme activity and cullin neddylation to attenuate cancer cells', Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 44(3), pp. 661-669. doi:10.1038/s41401-022-00992-6 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41401-022-00992-6 - Shi, H. and Zhao, L. and Guo, X. and Fang, R. and Zhang, H. and Dong, G. and Fu, J. and Yan, F. and Zhang, J. and Ning, Z. and Ma, Q. and Li, Z. and Li, C. and Dai, J. and Si, C. and Xiong, H (2020) 'Arctigenin Attenuates Breast Cancer Progression through Decreasing GM-CSF/TSLP/STAT3/beta-Catenin Signaling', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(17), pp. 6357. doi:10.3390/ijms21176357 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21176357 - Li, Q.-C. and Liang, Y. and Tian, Y. and Hu, G.-R (2016) 'Arctigenin induces apoptosis in colon cancer cells through ROS/p38MAPK pathway', Journal of BUON, 21(1), pp. 87-94. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Arctigenin%20induces%20apoptosis%20in%20colon%20cancer%20cells%20through%20ROS/p38MAPK%20pathway - Lee, K.-S. and Lee, M.-G. and Kwon, Y.-S. and Nam, K.-S (2020) 'Arctigenin Enhances the Cytotoxic Effect of Doxorubicin in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(8), pp. 2997. doi:10.3390/ijms21082997 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21082997 - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Bryson, P.D. and Watanabe, A.S. and Rumack, B.H. and Murphy, R.C (1978) 'Burdock root tea poisoning. Case report involving a commercial preparation', JAMA, 239(20), pp. 2157. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/642161/ Clinical study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/642161/ - Berdai, M.A. and Labib, S. and Chetouani, K. and Harandou, M (2012) 'Atropa belladonna intoxication: a case report', Pan African Medical Journal, 11, pp. 72. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22655106/ Clinical study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22655106/ - Oerlemans, C. and de Vries, I. and van Riel, A.J.H.P (2017) 'Anticholinergic syndrome caused by contaminated herbal tea; acting swiftly to identify the source', Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde, 161, pp. D1261. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28612694/ Clinical study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28612694/
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.