Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Lesser Burdock vs Birch
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
Lesser Burdock and Birch: they share 8 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, cancer (anticancer research), eczema, …); 4 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Lesser Burdock | Birch | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Eczema | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Swelling / fluid retention | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Urinary support | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Urinary tract infection (UTI) | 1/10 | 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
The major storage carbohydrate; a prebiotic fibre.
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant constituents.
Antimicrobial and antioxidant constituents.
Principal diuretic and antioxidant constituents of the leaf.
Characteristic bark triterpenes, betulin giving birch bark its white colour; studied for anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity.
Contribute to the astringent and antioxidant properties of the bark and leaf.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional 'alterative' / depurative for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, acne and boils (internally and topically)
Lesser burdock (Arctium minus) leaf, flower and root extracts (rich in arctiin/arctigenin and chlorogenic acid) are cytotoxic to breast and liver cancer cells, including multidrug-resistant tumour lines (preclinical).
Traditional & Indicated Uses
Sebaceous-gland regulator - helps balance skin oil (acne); Traditional 'alterative' / depurative for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, acne and boils (internally and topically)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Arctium minus extracts show dose-dependent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer and HepG2 liver cancer cells and are active against both sensitive and multidrug-resistant tumour cell lines (preclinical).
Mild diuretic supporting elimination ('detox', traditional); Traditional 'alterative' / depurative for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, acne and boils (internally and topically)
Traditional 'alterative' / depurative for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, acne and boils (internally and topically)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Traditional 'alterative' / depurative for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, acne and boils (internally and topically)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from gastroprotective action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-rheumatic action
inferred from antidiabetic action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from gastroprotective action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antidiabetic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from diuretic action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
As a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae), it can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to ragweed and related plants. The high inulin content can cause temporary bloating or gas.
May lower blood sugar (caution with antidiabetic medicines) and add to diuretics; avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy.
Generally considered safe when used appropriately. Side effects may include diarrhea, nausea, and allergic reactions (itching, rash, stuffy nose). Not recommended for individuals with edema caused by heart or kidney dysfunction. Ensure adequate fluid intake when using as a diuretic. Frequency of side effects is unknown.
Duke (2002) provides clinical evidence (score 2) for birch leaf's diuretic activity, as well as for its use in urinary gravel, kidney stones, and rheumatic conditions — consistent with Commission E (KOM) and German Phytotherapy (PIP) approvals. It acts as an aquaretic, increasing urine volume without electrolyte loss. Antimelanomic activity has been demonstrated in experimental studies. The plant has a good safety profile and is classified as non-toxic at usual therapeutic doses (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Biennial herb closely related to greater burdock, forming a first-year rosette of large, heart-shaped, long-stalked leaves, green above and grey-woolly beneath, generally smaller than Arctium lappa. In the second year it produces a branching flowering stem with smaller purple thistle-like flower heads in a looser, more sprawling habit, each enclosed in a globe of hooked bracts that ripen into clinging burrs.[15]
Elegant deciduous tree with a slender trunk, distinctive smooth white bark that peels in papery horizontal strips and becomes dark and fissured near the base with age, and characteristically drooping ('pendulous') branchlets. The leaves are small, triangular to diamond-shaped, doubly toothed and long-pointed. Male and female flowers are borne in separate catkins on the same tree in spring.[1]
Habitat
A common weed of waste ground, roadsides, hedgerows and disturbed soil; native to Europe and widely naturalised in North America, where it is often the most common wild burdock species.[15]
A pioneer tree of light, well-drained, often poor or acidic soils, growing in woodland, heathland and waste ground across Europe and much of temperate Asia.[1]
Harvesting
The root is dug at the end of the first growing season or early in the second spring, before flowering; leaf may be gathered through the first year. Careful identification against deadly nightshade, whose root can resemble burdock, is essential before digging.[15]
Leaves are picked in spring and early summer while young and tender; bark is collected from felled or fallen wood (living trees should not be stripped of bark, which can kill them); sap is tapped in early spring, before leaf-out, through a small hole bored in the trunk.[1]
Traditional Uses
Birch leaf is a classic European 'aquaretic' diuretic used for urinary gravel, kidney stones and as a spring detoxifying tonic, and for rheumatic and joint complaints; the bark and its extracts have a long folk history for skin conditions, while the sap has been drunk fresh as a traditional spring tonic.[1]
Preparations
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
Dosage
Not documented
The EU herbal monograph gives 2-3 g of the comminuted leaf in 150 mL of boiling water as an infusion, up to 4 times daily, in adolescents, adults and elderly, with adequate fluid intake; dry extract at 0.25-1 g 4 times daily and liquid extract at 15 mL 2-3 times daily are also listed. Traditionally used over a period of 2-4 weeks. Not recommended under 12 years. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References & Sources
- Ahangarpour, A., Heidari, H., Oroojan, A.A., Mirzavandi, F., Nasr Esfehani, K. and Dehghan Mohammadi, Z (2017) 'Antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa root's hydro-alcoholic extract on nicotinamide-streptozotocin induced type 2 model of diabetes in male mice', Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 7(2), pp. 169-179. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28348972/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28348972/ - 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 - Zeng, F., Li, Y., Zhang, X., Shen, L., Zhao, X. et al (2023) 'Immune regulation and inflammation inhibition of Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides by TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in cells', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 254, pp. 127700. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127700 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127700 - Fischer, S.P.M., Brusco, I., Camponogara, C., Piana, M., Faccin, H., Gobo, L.A., de Carvalho, L.M. and Oliveira, S.M (2017) 'Arctium minus crude extract presents antinociceptive effect in a mice acute gout attack model', Inflammopharmacology, 26(2), pp. 505-519. doi:10.1007/s10787-017-0384-6 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-017-0384-6 - Erdemoglu, N., Turan, N.N., Akkol, E.K., Sener, B. and Abacioglu, N (2008) 'Estimation of anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antioxidant activities of Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. ssp. minus', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 121(2), pp. 318-323. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.11.009 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.11.009 - Ilgun, S., Karatoprak, G.S., Polat, D.C., Safak, E.K., Yildiz, G., Kupeli Akkol, E. and Sobarzo-Sanchez, E (2022) 'Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh.: A Potential Candidate as Antioxidant, Enzyme Inhibitor, and Cytotoxic Agent', Antioxidants, 11(10), pp. 1852. doi:10.3390/antiox11101852 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11101852 - Erol, E., Erol, K.F., Yanikoglu, R.S., Taskin, C., Kizilarslan Hancer, C. and Topcu, G (2024) 'Quantitative Determination of the Cytotoxic Compounds in Different Organs of Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. by LC-HRESIMS Using Response Surface Methodology', ACS Omega, 9(40), pp. 41890-41903. doi:10.1021/acsomega.4c06644 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c06644 - Malanik, M., Farkova, V., Krizova, J., Kresova, A., Smejkal, K., Kasparovsky, T. and Dadakova, K (2024) 'Comparison of Metabolic Profiles of Fruits of Arctium lappa, Arctium minus, and Arctium tomentosum', Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 79(2), pp. 497-502. doi:10.1007/s11130-024-01175-w Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-024-01175-w - Cimino, C.V., Colombo, M.L., Liggieri, C., Bruno, M. and Vairo-Cavalli, S (2015) 'Partial Molecular Characterization of Arctium minus Aspartylendopeptidase and Preparation of Bioactive Peptides by Whey Protein Hydrolysis', Journal of Medicinal Food, 18(8), pp. 856-864. doi:10.1089/jmf.2014.0101 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2014.0101 - Kenny, O., Smyth, T.J., Walsh, D., Kelleher, C.T., Hewage, C.M. and Brunton, N.P (2014) 'Investigating the potential of under-utilised plants from the Asteraceae family as a source of natural antimicrobial and antioxidant extracts', Food Chemistry, 161, pp. 79-86. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.03.126 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.03.126 - Karadeniz, A., Alexie, G., Greten, H.J., Andersch, K. and Efferth, T (2015) 'Cytotoxicity of medicinal plants of the West-Canadian Gwich'in Native Americans towards sensitive and multidrug-resistant cancer cells', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 168, pp. 191-200. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.03.052 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.03.052 - Watkins, F., Pendry, B., Sanchez-Medina, A. and Corcoran, O (2012) 'Antimicrobial assays of three native British plants used in Anglo-Saxon medicine for wound healing formulations in 10th century England', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 144(2), pp. 408-415. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.09.031 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.09.031 - Abraham, E.P. and Crowfoot, D.M (1946) 'An antibacterial substance from Arctium minus and Onopordon tauricum', Nature, 158(4021), pp. 744. doi:10.1038/158744a0 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/158744a0 - Cavallito, C.J. and Kirchner, F.K (1947) 'The antibacterial principle of Arctium minus; the unsaturated lactone structure', Journal of the American Chemical Society, 69(12), pp. 3030-3032. doi:10.1021/ja01204a028 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01204a028 - Herbal Reality (n.d.) 'Burdock (Arctium): Benefits, Medicinal Uses, Safety'. Available at: https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/burdock/ Traditional / reference
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/burdock/ - Drugs.com (n.d.) 'Burdock Uses, Benefits & Dosage'. Available at: https://www.drugs.com/npp/burdock.html Traditional / reference
https://www.drugs.com/npp/burdock.html - 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 (2011) 'A review of the pharmacological effects of Arctium lappa (burdock)', Inflammopharmacology, 19(5), pp. 245--254. doi:10.1007/s10787-010-0062-4 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-010-0062-4 - 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/
- Rastogi, S., Pandey, M.M. and Kumar Singh Rawat, A (2014) 'Medicinal plants of the genus Betula — traditional uses and a phytochemical-pharmacological review', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 159, pp. 62-83. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2014.11.010 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.11.010 - Penkov, D., Andonova, V., Delev, D. and Kostadinov, I (2018) 'Antioxidant Activity of Dry Birch (Betula pendula) Leaves Extract', Folia Medica, 60(4), pp. 571-579. doi:10.2478/folmed-2018-0035 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2478/folmed-2018-0035 - Sevastre-Berghian, A.C., Ielciu, I., Bab, T., Olah, N.K. et al (2023) 'Betula pendula Leaf Extract Targets the Interplay between Brain Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and NF-kB Pathways in Amyloid Abeta-Treated Rats', Antioxidants (Basel), 12(12), pp. 2110. doi:10.3390/antiox12122110 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12122110 - Grundemann, C., Gruber, C.W., Hertrampf, A., Zehl, M., Kopp, B. and Huber, R (2011) 'An aqueous birch leaf extract of Betula pendula inhibits the growth and cell division of inflammatory lymphocytes', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 136(3), pp. 444-451. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.05.018 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2011.05.018 - Azman, N.A.M., Skowyra, M., Muhammad, K., Gallego, M.G. and Almajano, M.P (2017) 'Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of Betula pendula leaves extract and its effects on model foods', Pharmaceutical Biology, 55(1), pp. 912-919. doi:10.1080/13880209.2017.1282528 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/13880209.2017.1282528 - Bljajic, K., Sostaric, N., Petlevski, R., Vujic, L., Brajkovic, A. and Fumic, B (2016) 'Effect of Betula pendula Leaf Extract on alpha-Glucosidase and Glutathione Level in Glucose-Induced Oxidative Stress', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016, pp. 8429398. doi:10.1155/2016/8429398 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/8429398 - Ou-Yang, T., Zhang, Y., Luo, H.Z., Liu, Y. and Ma, S.C (2023) 'Novel compounds discovery approach based on UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS chemical profile reveals birch bark extract anti-inflammatory, -oxidative, and -proliferative effects', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 309, pp. 116148. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.116148 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2023.116148 - Szoka, L., Nazaruk, J., Stocki, M. and Isidorov, V (2021) 'Santin and cirsimaritin from Betula pubescens and Betula pendula buds induce apoptosis in human digestive system cancer cells', Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 25(23), pp. 11085-11096. doi:10.1111/jcmm.17031 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/jcmm.17031 - Isidorov, V., Szoka, L. and Nazaruk, J (2018) 'Cytotoxicity of white birch bud extracts: Perspectives for therapy of tumours', PLoS One, 13(8), pp. e0201949. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0201949 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201949 - Efthimiou, I., Vlastos, D., Triantafyllidis, V., Eleftherianos, A. and Antonopoulou, M (2022) 'Investigation of the Genotoxicological Profile of Aqueous Betula pendula Extracts', Plants, 11(20), pp. 2673. doi:10.3390/plants11202673 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11202673 - Jafari Hajati, R., Payamnoor, V., Ahmadian Chashmi, N. and Ghasemi Bezdi, K (2018) 'Improved accumulation of betulin and betulinic acid in cell suspension culture of Betula pendula Roth by abiotic and biotic elicitors', Preparative Biochemistry & Biotechnology, 48(10), pp. 915-924. doi:10.1080/10826068.2018.1514514 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/10826068.2018.1514514 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2015) 'European Union herbal monograph on Betula pendula Roth and/or Betula pubescens Ehrh. as well as hybrids of both species, folium'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-betula-pendula-roth-betula-pubescens-ehrh-folium_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-betula-pendula-roth-betula-pubescens-ehrh-folium_en.pdf - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2015) 'Birch leaf (Betulae folium): summary for the public'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-summary/birch-leaf-summary-public_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-summary/birch-leaf-summary-public_en.pdf - Oszmiański J, et al. Evaluating birch leaf tea as a functional herbal beverage. Food Res Int. 2024. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996924005519 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7126499/ (2024) 'https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996924005519 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7126499/'. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996924005519 Traditional / reference
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996924005519 - Rastogi S, Pandey MM, Rawat AKS. Medicinal plants of the genus Betula—Traditional uses and a phytochemical–pharmacological review. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;159:62-83. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7126499/ (2015) ';159:62-83'. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7126499/ Traditional / reference
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7126499/ - 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
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.