Plant Comparison
Greater Burdock vs Water Hyssop
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
Greater Burdock and Water Hyssop: they share 4 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, cancer (anticancer research), inflammation (general), …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Greater Burdock | Water Hyssop | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
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
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
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).
Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) extract and its saponins (bacopaside II, bacopasaponins) inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in colon and lung cancer cells (preclinical).
Traditional & Indicated Uses
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
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Bacopaside II from Bacopa monnieri inhibits colon cancer cell growth via cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis (aquaporin-1 blockade), and its bacopasaponins are cytotoxic to lung (PC9) and colon (SW620) cancer cells (preclinical).
inferred from neuroprotective action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
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).
Generally well tolerated at standard doses. The most commonly reported side effects are gastrointestinal — nausea, stomach cramps, and increased bowel movements — which can be reduced by taking with food. Not recommended during pregnancy. May interact with medications that increase acetylcholine levels (e.g. Alzheimer's medications). Use with caution in thyroid conditions, as bacopa may increase thyroid hormone levels.
External Ids
Botanical Description
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]
Low, creeping, succulent perennial herb that roots at the nodes as it spreads across wet ground. The leaves are small, fleshy, spatula-shaped and arranged oppositely along the trailing stems. Small, pale lavender to white, four- to five-petalled flowers are borne singly in the leaf axils.[4]
Habitat
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]
Grows in wet, marshy ground, muddy shorelines, rice paddies and shallow water throughout tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, and also found in parts of Africa, Australia and the Americas.[4]
Harvesting
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]
The whole plant (leaf and trailing stem) is harvested during active growth, typically cut a few centimetres above the mud or water line, and dried or used fresh.
Traditional Uses
Bacopa (brahmi) is a classic Ayurvedic 'medhya rasayana' (brain-nourishing) herb, traditionally used to support memory, learning and mental clarity, and as a calming nervine for anxiety and disturbed sleep. This traditional cognitive reputation is now supported by randomised controlled trials of standardised extracts.[1, 4]
Preparations
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 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
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
References & Sources
- 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/
- Calabrese, C., Gregory, W.L., Leo, M., Kraemer, D. et al (2008) 'Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial', Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 14(6), pp. 707-713. doi:10.1089/acm.2008.0018 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2008.0018 - Lorca, C., Mulet, M., Arévalo-Caro, C., Sanchez, M.Á. et al (2022) 'Plant-derived nootropics and human cognition: A systematic review', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 63(22), pp. 5521-5545. doi:10.1080/10408398.2021.2021137 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.2021137 - Fatima, U., Roy, S., Ahmad, S., Ali, S. et al (2022) 'Pharmacological attributes of Bacopa monnieri extract: Current updates and clinical manifestation', Frontiers in Nutrition, 9, pp. 972379. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.972379 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.972379 - Kongkeaw, C., Dilokthornsakul, P., Thanarangsarit, P., Limpeanchob, N. and Norman Scholfield, C (2014) 'Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri extract', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 151(1), pp. 528-535. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.008 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.008 - Vinod, A., Sathianarayanan, S., Babu, A.E., Sadanandan, P., Venu, A.K. and Venkidasamy, B (2022) 'Bacopa monnieri for disorders affecting brain: current perspectives', Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 22(23), pp. 1909-1929. doi:10.2174/1568026622666220119111538 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1568026622666220119111538 - Dubey, T., Kushwaha, P., Thulasiram, H.V., Chandrashekar, M. and Chinnathambi, S (2023) 'Bacopa monnieri reduces Tau aggregation and Tau-mediated toxicity in cells', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 234, pp. 123171. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123171 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123171 - Shalini, V.T., Neelakanta, S.J. and Sriranjini, J.S (2021) 'Neuroprotection with Bacopa monnieri - a review of experimental evidence', Molecular Biology Reports, 48(3), pp. 2653-2668. doi:10.1007/s11033-021-06236-w Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-021-06236-w - Simpson, T., Pase, M. and Stough, C (2015) 'Bacopa monnieri as an antioxidant therapy to reduce oxidative stress in the aging brain', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, pp. 615384. doi:10.1155/2015/615384 Meta-analysis / review
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https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-018-0332-1 - Dubey, T. and Chinnathambi, S (2019) 'Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri): an ayurvedic herb against the Alzheimer's disease', Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 676, pp. 108153. doi:10.1016/j.abb.2019.108153 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abb.2019.108153 - Bhandari, P., Kumar, N., Singh, B. and Kaul, V.K (2007) 'Cucurbitacins from Bacopa monnieri', Phytochemistry, 68(9), pp. 1248-1254. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.03.013 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.03.013 - Sivaramakrishna, C., Rao, C.V., Trimurtulu, G., Vanisree, M. and Subbaraju, G.V (2005) 'Triterpenoid glycosides from Bacopa monnieri', Phytochemistry, 66(23), pp. 2719-2728. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2005.09.016 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2005.09.016 - World Health Organization (2002) 'WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=WHO%20Monographs%20on%20Selected%20Medicinal%20Plants - Smith, E. and Palethorpe, H.M. and Tomita, Y. and Pei, J.V. and Townsend, A.R. and Price, T.J. and Young, J.P. and Yool, A.J. and Hardingham, J.E (2018) 'The Purified Extract from the Medicinal Plant Bacopa monnieri, Bacopaside II, Inhibits Growth of Colon Cancer Cells In Vitro by Inducing Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis', Cells, 7(7), pp. 81. doi:10.3390/cells7070081 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/cells7070081 - Yen, D.T.H. and Cuc, N.T. and Tai, B.H. and Van Kiem, P. and Hoang Duc, M. and Nhiem, N.X. and Cho, S.-H. and Jeong, S.B. and Seo, Y. and Park, S (2022) 'Two new triterpenoid glycosides from Bacopa monnieri and their cytotoxic activity', Natural Product Research, 38(7), pp. 1120-1126. doi:10.1080/14786419.2022.2132498 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2022.2132498 - Calabrese, C., Gregory, W.L., Leo, M., Kraemer, D., Bone, K. and Oken, B (2008) 'Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly', 14(6), pp. 707--713. Randomized trial
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Effects%20of%20a%20standardized%20Bacopa%20monnieri%20extract%20on%20cognitive%20performance%2C%20anxiety%2C%20and%20depression%20in%20the%20elderly - Stough, C., Lloyd, J., Clarke, J., Downey, L.A., Hutchison, C.W., Rodgers, T. and Nathan, P.J (2001) 'The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects', 156(4), pp. 481--484. doi:10.1007/s002130100815 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130100815 - 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 - 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
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.