Plant Comparison
Wormwood vs Common coltsfoot
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
Wormwood and Common coltsfoot: both belong to the Asteraceae family; they share 3 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, inflammation (general), skin irritation); 1 pharmacological action in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Wormwood | Common coltsfoot | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 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
Intensely bitter sesquiterpene lactones responsible for the classic digestive-bitter action.
Volatile oil containing thujone (alpha- and beta-isomers), the neurotoxic ketone that limits safe internal use, along with other monoterpenes.
Antioxidant constituents contributing to the plant's antioxidant activity.
Hepatotoxic constituents that are the central safety concern for this plant; regulatory limits and PA-controlled/PA-reduced products exist specifically because of these compounds.
Demulcent polysaccharide contributing to the traditional soothing action on irritated airways.
Pharmacological Actions
Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) total flavonoids and its constituent alpha/beta-thujone induce ROS- and caspase-mediated apoptosis in cervical and choriocarcinoma cancer cells (preclinical).
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antidiabetic action
Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) total flavonoids (cynaroside, astragalin) inhibit HeLa cervical cancer cells via ROS-mediated apoptosis, and its terpenoid alpha,beta-thujone induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in choriocarcinoma cells and sensitizes them to paclitaxel (preclinical).
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from antidiabetic action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
CAUTION: Contains thujone, which is neurotoxic in significant amounts. Internal use should be limited in duration and dose — short-term use only (under 4 weeks). Contraindicated in pregnancy (powerful uterine stimulant). Avoid in epilepsy, renal disease, and in children. The small amounts present in properly prepared bitter tinctures and vermouth are generally considered safe. The thujone content of absinthe was historically exaggerated.
Duke (2002) rates wormwood as + (use with caution) and provides clinical evidence (score 2) for use as an aperitif and bitter digestive tonic, consistent with Commission E approval for dyspeptic complaints and loss of appetite. The plant contains absinthin and artabsin (bitter sesquiterpene lactones) responsible for digestive stimulation, and also thujone — a neurotoxic ketone that is the active agent responsible for 'absinthism' (historical neurological syndrome linked to absinthe consumption). Duke strongly cautions that thujone content limits safe long-term use, and wormwood should not be taken internally for more than 4 weeks at a time. Strictly contraindicated in pregnancy (abortifacient, neurotoxic) and epilepsy (Duke, 2002).
Safety notes (contraindications, interactions, pregnancy/lactation notes, adverse effects, dose-duration cautions) Important: Coltsfoot naturally contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs)—plant chemicals that can damage the liver and may increase cancer risk with enough exposure (EMA, 2021; Kopp et al., 2020).
Because of this, European regulators set very strict limits for PA exposure from herbal products (EMA, 2021).
Many safety-focused herbal references recommend avoiding homemade/internal coltsfoot use, unless the product is specifically made to be PA-controlled / PA-reduced (EMA, 2021).
Avoid internal use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have liver disease, or for children—these groups are treated as “sensitive” in PA risk guidance (EMA, 2021).
Medication caution: if you take medicines that stress the liver (some prescription drugs can), it’s extra important to avoid unregulated PA exposure (general PA risk logic; consult a clinician) (EMA, 2021).
Topical use may still carry PA considerations; EMA discusses limits and recommends use only on intact skin for PA-containing products (EMA, 2021).
Duke (2002) provides clinical support (score 2) for coltsfoot's anti-inflammatory and expectorant effects, explaining its traditional use in bronchitis and coughs. However, the plant contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), and Duke notes a carcinogenic score (1) — a critical safety concern. Commission E has placed restrictions on coltsfoot use, recommending maximum internal use of 4–6 weeks per year and avoiding use in pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 12. Duke rates its overall safety as low (+) and emphasizes that preparations free of PAs are preferred (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Aromatic, silvery-grey perennial herb with finely divided, silky-hairy leaves and numerous small, pale yellow, drooping, globe-shaped flower heads borne in loose branched panicles. The whole plant has a characteristic intensely bitter taste and a pungent, sage-like aroma.[4]
Low perennial herb notable for flowering before its leaves appear: solitary, bright yellow, dandelion-like flower heads emerge on scaly pinkish stalks in very early spring, followed later by large, hoof-shaped (heart-shaped with angular teeth), white-woolly-backed leaves arising directly from the creeping rhizome.[11]
Habitat
Grows on dry, sunny, stony or waste ground, roadsides and field margins; native to Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia, and naturalised in North America.[4]
Grows on disturbed, damp or clay-rich waste ground, riverbanks, railway embankments and bare soil; native to Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia and naturalised in North America.[11]
Harvesting
The flowering aerial parts (leaf, stem and flower) are cut as flowering begins, in mid- to late summer, and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.[4]
Flowers are gathered in very early spring before the leaves appear; leaves are gathered later in the season once expanded. Given the plant's pyrrolizidine alkaloid content, harvesting from a positively confirmed patch (not a look-alike) and preferring PA-tested commercial material for internal use is strongly advised.[2]
Traditional Uses
Coltsfoot has an ancient European and Chinese tradition, reflected in its Latin name (tussis = cough), as an expectorant and demulcent remedy for coughs, bronchitis and irritated airways; because of its pyrrolizidine alkaloid content, contemporary use is restricted to short courses of PA-controlled preparations under regulatory limits (see contraindications).[1, 2, 12]
Preparations
Dried flowering herb infused briefly in hot water as a very bitter digestive tea, taken before meals to stimulate appetite.
Commercially prepared, pyrrolizidine-alkaloid-tested extract or syrup, the only form recommended for internal use given the plant's natural PA content.
Dried flower or leaf infused in hot water; traditional but subject to strict duration/PA-content limits under EU herbal regulation.
Dosage
Because of its thujone content, traditional herbal references limit internal use to small bitter doses (around 0.5-1 g dried herb per cup) for no more than about 4 weeks at a time. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
EU regulatory guidance restricts internal use to PA-controlled preparations. The EMA public statement on unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids records a maximum daily intake for internal use of 1 microgram of PAs for at most 6 weeks per year, or 0.1 microgram per day with no duration limit; for cutaneous use the limits are 100 micrograms for at most 6 weeks per year, or 10 micrograms without a duration limit. Not for use in pregnancy, breastfeeding, or children. Note that these are limits on PA intake, not a herb dose — no EMA monograph exists for Tussilago farfara, so there is no official posology for the herb itself. Educational reference only, not a prescription — consult a qualified practitioner and prefer tested commercial products.
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
References & Sources
- Batiha, G.E.S., Olatunde, A., El-Mleeh, A., Hetta, H.F., Al-Rejaie, S. et al (2020) 'Bioactive Compounds, Pharmacological Actions, and Pharmacokinetics of Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)', Antibiotics (Basel), 9(6), pp. 353. doi:10.3390/antibiotics9060353 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics9060353 - Wubuli, A., Abdulla, R., Zhao, J., Wu, T. and Aisa, H.A (2024) 'Exploring anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-related quality markers of Artemisia absinthium L. based on spectrum-effect relationship', Phytochemical Analysis, 35(5), pp. 1152-1173. doi:10.1002/pca.3350 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.3350 - Rashidi, R., Akaberi, M., Gholoobi, A., Ghazavi, H. and Forouzanfar, F (2023) 'Artemisia absinthium Extract Attenuates the Quinolinic Acid-Induced Cell Injury in OLN-93 Cells', Current Drug Discovery Technologies, 20(4), pp. e300323215213. doi:10.2174/1570163820666230330105331 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1570163820666230330105331 - Szopa, A., Pajor, J., Klin, P., Rzepiela, A., Elansary, H.O., Al-Mana, F.A., Mattar, M.A. and Ekiert, H (2020) 'Artemisia absinthium L. - Importance in the History of Medicine, the Latest Advances in Phytochemistry and Therapeutical, Cosmetological and Culinary Uses', Plants, 9(9), pp. 1063. doi:10.3390/plants9091063 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9091063 - Hbika, A., Daoudi, N.E., Bouyanzer, A., Bouhrim, M., Mohti, H., Loukili, E.H., Mechchate, H., Al-Salahi, R., Nasr, F.A., Bnouham, M. and Zaid, A (2022) 'Artemisia absinthium L. Aqueous and Ethyl Acetate Extracts: Antioxidant Effect and Potential Activity In Vitro and In Vivo against Pancreatic alpha-Amylase and Intestinal alpha-Glucosidase', Pharmaceutics, 14(3), pp. 481. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics14030481 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14030481 - Bagheri, F., Amri, J., Salehi, M., Karami, H., Alimoradian, A. and Latifi, S.A (2020) 'Effect of Artemisia absinthium ethanolic extract on oxidative stress markers and the TLR4, S100A4, Bax and Bcl-2 genes expression in the kidney of STZ-induced diabetic rats', Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation, 41(4), pp. 20200028. doi:10.1515/hmbci-2020-0028 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1515/hmbci-2020-0028 - Al-Malki, A.L (2018) 'Shikimic acid from Artemisia absinthium inhibits protein glycation in diabetic rats', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 122, pp. 1212-1216. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.09.072 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.09.072 - Boeing, T., de Souza, J., Vilhena da Silva, R.C., Mariano, L.N.B., Mota da Silva, L., Gerhardt, G.M., Cretton, S., Klein-Junior, L.C. and de Souza, P (2023) 'Gastroprotective effect of Artemisia absinthium L.: A medicinal plant used in the treatment of digestive disorders', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 312, pp. 116488. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.116488 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2023.116488 - Liu, Z., Li, X., Jin, Y., Nan, T., Zhao, Y., Huang, L. and Yuan, Y (2023) 'New Evidence for Artemisia absinthium as an Alternative to Classical Antibiotics: Chemical Analysis of Phenolic Compounds, Screening for Antimicrobial Activity', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(15), pp. 12044. doi:10.3390/ijms241512044 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241512044 - Moaca, E., Pavel, I.Z., Danciu, C., Crainiceanu, Z., Minda, D., Ardelean, F., Antal, D.S., Ghiulai, R., Cioca, A., Derban, M., Simu, S., Chioibas, R., Szuhanek, C. and Dehelean, C (2019) 'Romanian Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.): Physicochemical and Nutraceutical Screening', Molecules, 24(17), pp. 3087. doi:10.3390/molecules24173087 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24173087 - Turak, A., Shi, S., Jiang, Y. and Tu, P (2014) 'Dimeric guaianolides from Artemisia absinthium', Phytochemistry, 105, pp. 109-114. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.06.016 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.06.016 - Correa-Ferreira, M.L., Noleto, G.R. and Oliveira Petkowicz, C.L (2013) 'Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia vulgaris: a comparative study of infusion polysaccharides', Carbohydrate Polymers, 102, pp. 738-745. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.10.096 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.10.096 - Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=A%20Modern%20Herbal - Hoffmann, D (2003) 'Medical Herbalism'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Medical%20Herbalism - Lee, J.-Y. and Park, H. and Lim, W. and Song, G (2020) 'alpha,beta-Thujone suppresses human placental choriocarcinoma cells via metabolic disruption', Reproduction, 159(6), pp. 745-756. doi:10.1530/REP-20-0018 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-20-0018 - He, M. and Yasin, K. and Yu, S. and Li, J. and Xia, L (2023) 'Total Flavonoids in Artemisia absinthium L. and Evaluation of Its Anticancer Activity', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(22), pp. 16348. doi:10.3390/ijms242216348 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216348 - 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
- Ahmad, I., Kudaibergenova, B., Ahmad, M. and others (2025) 'Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara L.; Asteraceae): modern methods of extraction, phytochemistry, nanoparticles synthesis, ethnopharmacology, and biological activities', Natural Product Research, pp. 1-20. doi:10.1080/14786419.2025.2548616 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2025.2548616 - Chen, S., Dong, L., Quan, H., Zhou, X. and others (2020) 'A review of the ethnobotanical value, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and quality control of Tussilago farfara L. (coltsfoot)', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 267, pp. 113478. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113478 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113478 - Feng, J., Zhang, Y., Qin, X., Gao, T. and others (2022) 'Novel Quinic Acid Glycerates from Tussilago farfara Inhibit Polypeptide GalNAc-Transferase', ChemBioChem, 23(3), pp. e202100539. doi:10.1002/cbic.202100539 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbic.202100539 - Zhao, J., Evangelopoulos, D., Bhakta, S., Gray, A.I. and Seidel, V (2014) 'Antitubercular activity of Arctium lappa and Tussilago farfara extracts and constituents', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 155(1), pp. 796-800. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2014.06.034 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.06.034 - Avila, C., Breakspear, I., Hawrelak, J., Salmond, S. and Evans, S (2020) 'A systematic review and quality assessment of case reports of adverse events for borage (Borago officinalis), coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) and comfrey (Symphytum officinale)', Fitoterapia, 142, pp. 104519. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2020.104519 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2020.104519 - Lee, J., Park, S., Kim, M.J., Kwon, S.J. and others (2019) 'Sesquiterpenoids from Tussilago farfara Flower Bud Extract for the Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles Possessing Antibacterial and Anticancer Activities', Nanomaterials (Basel), 9(6), pp. 819. doi:10.3390/nano9060819 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9060819 - Bota, V.B., Neamtu, A.A., Olah, N.K., Chiselita, O. and others (2022) 'A Comparative Analysis of the Anatomy, Phenolic Profile, and Antioxidant Capacity of Tussilago farfara L. Vegetative Organs', Plants (Basel), 11(13), pp. 1663. doi:10.3390/plants11131663 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11131663 - Boucher, M.A., Cote, H., Pichette, A., Ripoll, L. and Legault, J (2020) 'Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Tussilago farfara (L.) essential oil from Quebec, Canada', Natural Product Research, 34(4), pp. 545-548. doi:10.1080/14786419.2018.1489384 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2018.1489384 - Li, Z.Y., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y.B., Yang, X.W. and others (2022) 'Polyhydroxylated eudesmane sesquiterpenoids and sesquiterpenoid glucoside from the flower buds of Tussilago farfara', Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines, 20(4), pp. 301-308. doi:10.1016/S1875-5364(21)60120-6 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1875-5364(21)60120-6 - Jang, H., Lee, J.W., Lee, C., Jin, Q. and others (2016) 'Sesquiterpenoids from Tussilago farfara inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide production in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells', Archives of Pharmacal Research, 39(1), pp. 127-132. doi:10.1007/s12272-015-0667-7 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-015-0667-7 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Westendorf, J., Czok, G., Marquardt, R., Nausner, M., Krauer, B. and Paul, H.L (1988) 'Pyrrolizidine alkaloid content of Tussilago farfara plants from different regions and preparations', pp. 903--909. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Pyrrolizidine%20alkaloid%20content%20of%20Tussilago%20farfara%20plants%20from%20different%20regions%20and%20preparations - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2021) 'Public statement on the use of herbal medicinal products containing toxic, unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), including recommendations regarding contamination of herbal medicinal products with PAs, Revision 1'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/public-statement/public-statement-use-herbal-medicinal-products-containing-toxic-unsaturated-pyrrolizidine-alkaloids-pas-including-recommendations-regarding-contamination-herbal-medicinal-products-pyrrolizidine_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/public-statement/public-statement-use-herbal-medicinal-products-containing-toxic-unsaturated-pyrrolizidine-alkaloids-pas-including-recommendations-regarding-contamination-herbal-medicinal-products-pyrrolizidine_en.pdf - 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 - Sperl, W. and Stuppner, H. and Gassner, I. and Judmaier, W. and Dietze, O. and Vogel, W (1995) 'Reversible hepatic veno-occlusive disease in an infant after consumption of pyrrolizidine-containing herbal tea', European Journal of Pediatrics, 154(2), pp. 112-6. doi:10.1007/BF01991912 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01991912
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.