Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Greater Burdock vs Artichoke
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 Artichoke: both belong to the Asteraceae family; they share 2 indicated uses (bloating, indigestion); 1 pharmacological action in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Greater Burdock | Artichoke | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloating | 2/10 | 3/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Indigestion | 2/10 | 3/10 | 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.
The principal choleretic, hepatoprotective and antioxidant constituents.
Antioxidant constituents of the leaf.
The bitter principle that stimulates digestion.
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).
Hepatoprotective / liver support (protects liver cells and may aid their regeneration)
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
Digestive aid for dyspeptic complaints - indigestion, bloating and fullness
inferred from lipid-lowering action
inferred from hepatoprotective action
inferred from lipid-lowering action
Supports irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms
Digestive aid for dyspeptic complaints - indigestion, bloating and fullness
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).
Because it stimulates bile flow, artichoke is contraindicated in bile-duct obstruction and should only be used under medical supervision if you have gallstones.
As a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae), it can cause allergic reactions in sensitive people; use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.
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]
Tall, thistle-like perennial herb with large, deeply lobed, silvery-green leaves, spiny in wild forms but usually spineless in cultivated globe artichoke. The plant produces a large, edible immature flower bud (the 'artichoke heart' of cuisine) which, left to mature, opens into a striking violet-blue thistle flower.[3]
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]
Native to the Mediterranean region; cultivated widely as a vegetable and medicinal crop in warm-temperate climates on rich, well-drained soil.[3]
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]
For medicinal use, the leaves are picked before flowering, when caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid/cynarin) content is highest, and dried; the edible flower bud is separately harvested young, before the flower opens.[3]
Traditional Uses
Artichoke leaf has a long Mediterranean folk history as a bitter digestive and liver remedy, used to stimulate bile flow and ease dyspeptic complaints such as indigestion, bloating and fullness, and as a traditional hepatoprotective 'liver tonic'; modern standardised leaf extracts are also studied for supporting healthy cholesterol levels.[3]
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.
Dried leaf extract standardised to caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid/cynarin) content, taken as capsules or tablets for digestive and lipid support.
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.
Clinical studies commonly use extracts providing around 300-640 mg dried leaf extract, up to three times daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
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/
- Porro, C., Benameur, T., Cianciulli, A., Vacca, M. and others (2024) 'Functional and Therapeutic Potential of Cynara scolymus in Health Benefits', Nutrients, 16(6), pp. 872. doi:10.3390/nu16060872 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16060872 - Salekzamani, S., Ebrahimi-Mameghani, M. and Rezazadeh, K (2019) 'The antioxidant activity of artichoke (Cynara scolymus): A systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies', Phytotherapy Research, 33(1), pp. 55-71. doi:10.1002/ptr.6213 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6213 - Ben Salem, M., Affes, H., Ksouda, K., Dhouibi, R., Sahnoun, Z., Hammami, S. and Zeghal, K.M (2015) 'Pharmacological Studies of Artichoke Leaf Extract and Their Health Benefits', Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. doi:10.1007/s11130-015-0503-8 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-015-0503-8 - Gotardo, A.T., Mattos, M.I.S., Hueza, I.M. and Gorniak, S.L (2019) 'The effect of Cynara scolymus (artichoke) on maternal reproductive outcomes and fetal development in rats', Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 102, pp. 74-78. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2019.01.004 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2019.01.004 - Ben Salem, M., Affes, H., Dhouibi, R., Charfi, S. and others (2019) 'Preventive effect of Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) in kidney dysfunction against high fat-diet induced obesity in rats', Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry, 128(3), pp. 586-592. doi:10.1080/13813455.2019.1703755 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/13813455.2019.1703755 - Dominguez-Fernandez, M., Ludwig, I.A., De Pena, M.P. and Cid, C (2021) 'Bioaccessibility of Tudela artichoke (Cynara scolymus cv. Blanca de Tudela) (poly)phenols: the effects of heat treatment, simulated gastrointestinal digestion and human colonic microbiota', Food & Function, 12(5), pp. 1996-2011. doi:10.1039/d0fo03119d Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1039/d0fo03119d - Ahmadi, A., Heidarian, E. and Ghatreh-Samani, K (2019) 'Modulatory effects of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) leaf extract against oxidative stress and hepatic TNF-alpha gene expression in acute diazinon-induced liver injury in rats', Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 30(5), pp. 20180180. doi:10.1515/jbcpp-2018-0180 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2018-0180 - Grazina, L., Batista, A., Amaral, J.S., Costa, J. and Mafra, I (2021) 'Botanical authentication of globe artichoke-containing foods: Differentiation of Cynara scolymus by a novel HRM approach', Food Chemistry, 366, pp. 130621. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130621 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130621 - Sahebkar, A., Pirro, M., Banach, M., Mikhailidis, D.P., Atkin, S.L. and Cicero, A.F.G (2017) 'Lipid-lowering activity of artichoke extracts: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 58(15), pp. 2549-2556. doi:10.1080/10408398.2017.1332572 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2017.1332572 - Shahinfar, H., Bazshahi, E., Amini, M.R., Payandeh, N., Pourreza, S., Noruzi, Z. and Shab-Bidar, S (2021) 'Effects of artichoke leaf extract supplementation or artichoke juice consumption on lipid profile: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials', Phytotherapy Research, 35(12), pp. 6607-6623. doi:10.1002/ptr.7247 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7247 - Kamel, A.M. and Farag, M.A (2022) 'Therapeutic Potential of Artichoke in the Treatment of Fatty Liver: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis', Journal of Medicinal Food, 25(10), pp. 931-942. doi:10.1089/jmf.2022.0025 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2022.0025 - Santos, H.O., Bueno, A.A. and Mota, J.F (2018) 'The effect of artichoke on lipid profile: A review of possible mechanisms of action', Pharmacological Research, 137, pp. 170-178. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2018.10.007 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2018.10.007 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'European Union herbal monograph on Cynara cardunculus L. (syn. Cynara scolymus L.), folium (Cynarae folium)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/cynarae-folium Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/cynarae-folium - Wider, B., Pittler, M.H., Thompson-Coon, J. and Ernst, E (2013) 'Artichoke leaf extract for treating hypercholesterolaemia', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003335.pub3 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003335.pub3 - Rondanelli, M., Giacosa, A., Opizzi, A., Faliva, M.A., Sala, P. and others (2012) 'Beneficial effects of artichoke leaf extract supplementation on increasing HDL-cholesterol in subjects with primary mild hypercholesterolaemia: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial', International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 64(1), pp. 7--15. doi:10.3109/09637486.2012.700920 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3109/09637486.2012.700920
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.