Plant Comparison
Angelica vs Great Mullein
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
Angelica and Great Mullein: they share 8 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bronchitis, cancer (anticancer research), …); 4 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Angelica | Great Mullein | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Bronchitis | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cough | 1/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Great Mullein |
| Inflammation (general) | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Insomnia / sleeplessness | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Respiratory support | 1/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Great Mullein |
| Skin irritation | 2/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Great Mullein |
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
Including columbianetin, angelicin, imperatorin and xanthotoxin.
Rich in monoterpenes such as alpha-pinene and beta-phellandrene; gives the aromatic, carminative character.
Anti-inflammatory iridoids contributing to the plant's traditional respiratory and anti-inflammatory use.
Mucilage gives the soothing demulcent action; saponins contribute to the traditional expectorant effect.
Pharmacological Actions
Angelica archangelica fruit tincture and its furanocoumarins (imperatorin, xanthotoxin) show antiproliferative activity against pancreatic and larynx cancer and rhabdomyosarcoma cells (preclinical).
Anticonvulsant and cognition-supporting (preclinical)
Carminative and aromatic bitter digestive (indigestion, bloating, flatulence)
Carminative and aromatic bitter digestive (indigestion, bloating, flatulence)
Carminative and aromatic bitter digestive (indigestion, bloating, flatulence)
Anticonvulsant and cognition-supporting (preclinical)
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from gastroprotective action
Anxiolytic / sedative (anxiety, nervous tension)
inferred from bitter-tonic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Carminative and aromatic bitter digestive (indigestion, bloating, flatulence)
Angelica archangelica fruit tincture is antiproliferative against PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells; its furanocoumarins imperatorin and xanthotoxin drive this activity and inhibit larynx cancer and rhabdomyosarcoma cell growth (preclinical).
inferred from neuroprotective action
Diaphoretic / expectorant support during colds
Carminative and aromatic bitter digestive (indigestion, bloating, flatulence)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
Anxiolytic / sedative (anxiety, nervous tension)
inferred from expectorant action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Overactive bladder - a pilot RCT of an Angelica archangelica leaf extract reduced daytime voids and storage symptoms and improved quality of life, with near-significant benefit for nocturia
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from expectorant action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Contains furanocoumarins, which can cause photosensitivity; avoid excessive sun or UV exposure while using the herb medicinally.
Medicinal doses should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Coumarin constituents may interact with anticoagulant medicines, and furanocoumarins with photosensitising drugs; when wild-harvesting, take great care to distinguish garden angelica from poisonous Apiaceae look-alikes such as hemlock.
Generally considered safe for short-term use. The tiny hairs on the leaves can cause irritation if tea is not properly filtered. No significant drug interactions documented. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to lack of safety data.
Duke (2002) rates mullein as ++ with clinical evidence (score 2) for its expectorant activity, consistent with Commission E approval for catarrh and inflammation of the respiratory tract. It functions as a demulcent and emollient for mucous membranes. Traditionally used for bronchitis, asthma, and earaches (oil infusion). Dose: 1.5–2 g dried flower or leaf as tea, three to four times daily. Duke notes an antiviral (antiherpetic) activity at the experimental level. The plant is generally well-tolerated with no known significant contraindications at therapeutic doses (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Tall, robust biennial or short-lived perennial herb with a stout, hollow, ridged stem, often tinged purple. The leaves are large, bright green, 2-3-pinnately divided into broad, coarsely toothed leaflets, borne on inflated, sheathing stalks. Large, rounded compound umbels of small greenish-white to yellow-green flowers are borne at the stem tips, followed by pale, ribbed, winged fruit. The whole plant is strongly and pleasantly aromatic (sweet, celery- or juniper-like) when crushed.[6]
Tall, stately biennial herb forming a low first-year rosette of large, soft, thick, densely woolly grey-green leaves; in the second year it sends up a single, tall, unbranched flowering spike densely packed with bright yellow, five-petalled flowers that open a few at a time.[1]
Habitat
Native to northern and eastern Europe and parts of Asia, growing in damp meadows, riverbanks, ditches and woodland margins on moist, rich soils; also widely cultivated as a culinary and medicinal herb.[6]
Grows on dry, sunny waste ground, roadsides, disturbed soil and rocky slopes; native to Europe, North Africa and Asia and widely naturalised in North America and elsewhere.[1]
Harvesting
The root is dug in autumn of the first year (or spring of the second, before flowering), when its aromatic oil content is highest; the ripe fruit/seed is collected in late summer as the umbels dry; leaves for standardised extract are picked through the growing season. Careful identification against deadly Apiaceae look-alikes (poison hemlock, water hemlock, hemlock water-dropwort) is essential before wild-harvesting.[6]
The flowers are picked individually as they open through summer (since they open only a few at a time and quickly fade once picked); leaves are gathered from the first-year rosette or second-year plant and dried, with care to filter out the fine leaf hairs, which can irritate the throat if not strained from tea.[1]
Traditional Uses
Angelica root has a long Northern European tradition as an aromatic bitter and carminative digestive remedy for indigestion, bloating and flatulence, as a diaphoretic and expectorant support during colds, and the seed/fruit as a calming, anxiolytic nervine. It has also been candied and used as a flavouring.[6]
Great mullein has a long European and Native American tradition as a soothing demulcent and expectorant remedy for cough, bronchitis and irritated airways, and the flower has also been infused in oil as a traditional remedy for earache; the soft, woolly leaf gave rise to old names like 'flannel leaf' and 'velvet plant'.[1, 2]
Preparations
Dried root decocted or infused in hot water as a bitter digestive and carminative tea.
Crushed fruit/seed infused as a calming, carminative tea.
Concentrated leaf extract studied in a pilot clinical trial for overactive bladder symptoms.
Dried flower or leaf infused in hot water and carefully strained (to remove fine irritant hairs) as a traditional demulcent cough and respiratory tea.
Dosage
Health Canada's NNHPD monograph gives 0.3-12 g of dried root and rhizome per day for adults 18 years and older, with infusion and decoction among the accepted methods of preparation. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Health Canada's NNHPD monograph accepts a tincture among the methods of preparation for angelica root and rhizome, within the same 0.3-12 g dried-equivalent daily range for adults 18 years and older; it does not state a tincture ratio or volume. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
The EU herbal monograph gives 1.5-2 g of the flower in 150 mL of boiling water as an infusion, three to four times daily (daily dose 4.5-8 g), in adolescents, adults and elderly; the infusion should be carefully strained to remove the irritant hairs. The monograph covers the FLOWER (Verbasci flos) only — it gives no posology for the leaf. Not recommended under 12 years. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
References & Sources
- Kaur, A. and Bhatti, R (2021) 'Understanding the phytochemistry and molecular insights to the pharmacology of Angelica archangelica L. (garden angelica) and its bioactive components', Phytotherapy Research, 35(11), pp. 5961--5979. doi:10.1002/ptr.7206 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7206 - Kaur, A., Singh, N., Bhatti, M.S. and Bhatti, R (2020) 'Optimization of extraction conditions of Angelica archangelica extract and activity evaluation in experimental fibromyalgia', Journal of Food Science, 85(11), pp. 3700--3710. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.15476 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.15476 - Kumar, D. and Bhat, Z.A (2012) 'Anti-anxiety Activity of Methanolic Extracts of Different Parts of Angelica archangelica Linn', Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 2(3), pp. 235-241. doi:10.1016/s2225-4110(16)30105-5 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/s2225-4110(16)30105-5 - Fraternale, D. and Teodori, L. and Rudov, A. and Prattichizzo, F. and Olivieri, F. and Guidarelli, A. and Albertini, M.C (2018) 'The In Vitro Activity of Angelica archangelica L. Essential Oil on Inflammation', Journal of Medicinal Food, 21(12), pp. 1238-1243. doi:10.1089/jmf.2018.0017 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2018.0017 - Fraternale, D. and Flamini, G. and Ricci, D (2014) 'Essential oil composition and antimicrobial activity of Angelica archangelica L. (Apiaceae) roots', Journal of Medicinal Food, 17(9), pp. 1043-1047. doi:10.1089/jmf.2013.0012 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2013.0012 - Kaur, A. and Bhatti, R (2021) 'Understanding the phytochemistry and molecular insights to the pharmacology of Angelica archangelica L. (garden angelica) and its bioactive components', Phytotherapy Research. doi:10.1002/ptr.7206 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7206 - Patel, D.K. and Patel, K (2023) 'Biological Potential and Pharmacological Activity of Columbianetin in Chronic Diseases', Drug Metabolism and Bioanalysis Letters. doi:10.2174/1872312815666230124154630 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.2174/1872312815666230124154630 - Suenaga-Hiromori, M., Mogi, D., Kikuchi, Y., Tong, J., Kurisu, N., Aoki, Y. and others (2022) 'Comprehensive identification of terpene synthase genes and organ-dependent accumulation of terpenoid volatiles in a traditional medicinal plant Angelica archangelica L', Plant Biotechnology, 39(4), pp. 391--404. doi:10.5511/plantbiotechnology.22.1006a Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.5511/plantbiotechnology.22.1006a - Raafat, B.M., Gamal-Eldeen, A.M., Almehmadi, M.M., El-Daly, S.M., Faizo, N.L. and Althobaiti, F (2022) 'Angelica archangelica and Ginkgo biloba Extracts Recover Functional Blood Hemoglobin Derivatives in Rabbits Exposed to High Altitude', Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 23(11), pp. 1377--1382. doi:10.2174/1389201022666211118112356 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1389201022666211118112356 - Lopez-Seoane, J., Gesteiro, E., Castro-Alija, M.J., Quesada-Gonzalez, C., Perez-Ruiz, M. and Gonzalez-Gross, M (2025) 'Effects of Angelica archangelica Extract on Overactive Bladder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial', Food Science & Nutrition, 13(12). doi:10.1002/fsn3.71258 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.71258 - Health Canada, Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (2026) 'Natural Health Product Monograph: Angelica - Angelica archangelica'. Available at: https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_angelica_english.pdf Traditional / reference
https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_angelica_english.pdf - Sigurdsson, S. and Ogmundsdottir, H.M. and Gudbjarnason, S (2004) 'Antiproliferative effect of Angelica archangelica fruits', Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung C, 59(7-8), pp. 523-527. doi:10.1515/znc-2004-7-813 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1515/znc-2004-7-813 - Grabarska, A. and Skalicka-Wozniak, K. and Kielbus, M. and Dmoszynska-Graniczka, M. and Miziak, P. and Szumilo, J. and Nowosadzka, E. and Kowalczuk, K. and Khalifa, S. and Smok-Kalwat, J. and Klatka, J. and Kupisz, K. and Polberg, K. and Rivero-Muller, A. and Stepulak, A (2020) 'Imperatorin as a Promising Chemotherapeutic Agent Against Human Larynx Cancer and Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells', Molecules, 25(9), pp. 2046. doi:10.3390/molecules25092046 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25092046 - Suciu, F., Mihai, D.P., Ungurianu, A., Andrei, C., Puscasu, C., Chitescu, C.L. and others (2025) 'Investigation of Anticonvulsant Potential of Morus, Angelica, Passiflora and Viola Extracts: In Vivo and In Silico Studies', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(13). doi:10.3390/ijms26136426 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136426 - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003 - Dayan, A.D (2024) 'Death of Socrates: a likely case of poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) poisoning', Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 62(1), pp. 56-60. doi:10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328 - King County Noxious Weeds (2024) 'Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) identification and control'. Available at: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock Traditional / reference
https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock - Heath, K.B (2001) 'A fatal case of apparent water hemlock poisoning', Veterinary and Human Toxicology, 43(1), pp. 35-6. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11205076/ Clinical study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11205076/ - Mitchell, M.I. and Routledge, P.A (1978) 'Hemlock water dropwort poisoning - a review', Clinical Toxicology, 12(4), pp. 417-26. doi:10.3109/15563657809150012 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.3109/15563657809150012 - Lagey, K. and Duinslaeger, L. and Vanderkelen, A (1995) 'Burns induced by plants', Burns, 21(7), pp. 542-3. doi:10.1016/0305-4179(95)00026-8 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-4179(95)00026-8
- Turker, A.U. and Gurel, E (2005) 'Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.): recent advances in research', Phytotherapy Research, 19(9), pp. 733-739. doi:10.1002/ptr.1653 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1653 - Gupta, A., Atkinson, A.N., Pandey, A.K. and Bishayee, A (2022) 'Health-promoting and disease-mitigating potential of Verbascum thapsus L. (common mullein): A review', Phytotherapy Research, 36(4), pp. 1507-1522. doi:10.1002/ptr.7393 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7393 - Ali, N., Ali Shah, S.W., Shah, I., Ahmed, G. and others (2012) 'Anthelmintic and relaxant activities of Verbascum thapsus (Mullein)', BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 12, pp. 29. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-12-29 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-12-29 - Mahdavi, S., Amiradalat, M., Babashpour, M., Sheikhlooei, H. and others (2020) 'The Antioxidant, Anticarcinogenic and Antimicrobial Properties of Verbascum thapsus L', Medicinal Chemistry, 16(7), pp. 991-995. doi:10.2174/1573406415666190828155951 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1573406415666190828155951 - Kashan, Z.F., Arbabi, M., Delavari, M., Hooshyar, H. and others (2015) 'Effect of Verbascum thapsus ethanol extract on induction of apoptosis in Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro', Infectious Disorders Drug Targets, 15(2), pp. 125-130. doi:10.2174/1871526515666150724114924 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1871526515666150724114924 - Chen, S., Liu, H., Wang, S., Jiang, H. and others (2022) 'The Neuroprotection of Verbascoside in Alzheimer's Disease Mediated through Mitigation of Neuroinflammation via Blocking NF-kappaB-p65 Signaling', Nutrients, 14(7), pp. 1417. doi:10.3390/nu14071417 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14071417 - Bampidis, V., Azimonti, G., Bastos, M.L. and others (EFSA FEEDAP Panel) (2021) 'Safety of a feed additive consisting of a tincture derived from Verbascum thapsus L. (great mullein tincture) for use in all animal species (MANGHEBATI SAS)', EFSA Journal, 19(7), pp. e06711. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6711 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6711 - Blanco-Salas, J., Hortigon-Vinagre, M.P., Morales-Jadan, D. and Ruiz-Tellez, T (2021) 'Searching for Scientific Explanations for the Uses of Spanish Folk Medicine: A Review on the Case of Mullein (Verbascum, Scrophulariaceae)', Biology, 10(7), pp. 618. doi:10.3390/biology10070618 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10070618 - Taleb, S. and Saeedi, M (2021) 'The effect of Verbascum thapsus on episiotomy wound healing in nulliparous women: a randomized controlled trial', BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 21(1), pp. 166. doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03339-6 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-021-03339-6 - Soto, K.M., Luzardo-Ocampo, I., Lopez-Romero, J.M., Mendoza, S. and others (2022) 'Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized with Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and Castor Bean (Ricinus communis) Ethanolic Extracts Displayed Antiproliferative Effects and Induced Caspase 3 Activity in Human HT29 and SW480 Cancer Cells', Pharmaceutics, 14(10), pp. 2069. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics14102069 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14102069 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'European Union herbal monograph on Verbascum thapsus L., V. densiflorum Bertol. and V. phlomoides L., flos (Verbasci flos)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/verbasci-flos Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/verbasci-flos - Oliff, H.S. and Blumenthal, M (2003) 'Great mullein', pp. 30--31. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Great%20mullein - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Turker, A.U. and Gurel, E (2005) 'Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.): recent advances in research', 19(9), pp. 733--739. doi:10.1002/ptr.1653 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1653 - 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 - Lin, C.C. and Yang, C.C. and Phua, D.H. and Deng, J.F. and Lu, L.H (2010) 'An outbreak of foxglove leaf poisoning', Journal of the Chinese Medical Association, 73(2), pp. 97-100. doi:10.1016/S1726-4901(10)70009-5 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1726-4901(10)70009-5 - Janssen, R.M. and Berg, M. and Ovakim, D.H (2016) 'Two cases of cardiac glycoside poisoning from accidental foxglove ingestion', CMAJ, 188(10), pp. 747-750. doi:10.1503/cmaj.150676 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.150676 - Woodland Trust (2024) 'Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)'. Available at: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/wild-flowers/foxglove/ Traditional / reference
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/wild-flowers/foxglove/ - NC State Extension (2024) 'Verbascum thapsus (Common Mullein)'. Available at: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/verbascum-thapsus/ Traditional / reference
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/verbascum-thapsus/
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.