Plant Comparison
Water Hyssop vs Goldenrod
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
Water Hyssop and Goldenrod: they share 4 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, cancer (anticancer research), inflammation (general), …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Water Hyssop | Goldenrod | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 2/10 | 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
Pharmacological Actions
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
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
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from diuretic action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
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.
Generally well tolerated. Not recommended in cases of fluid retention due to impaired cardiac or renal function. Ensure adequate fluid intake when using as a diuretic. May cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to Asteraceae plants. Avoid use during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited safety data.
Duke (2002) provides clinical evidence (score 2) for goldenrod's anti-inflammatory activity, consistent with Commission E approval. It is also classified as an aquaretic (increases urine output without electrolyte loss) and antispasmodic, used for urinary tract irrigation therapy. Dose: 6–12 g dried herb daily as tea for urinary complaints. Duke cautions against use in cases of edema from renal or cardiac insufficiency, and notes that the herb may cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to Asteraceae plants (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
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]
Perennial herb (Asteraceae), 20-100 cm tall, with erect, often reddish, downy or smooth stems. Leaves are alternate, lance-shaped and toothed. Numerous small, bright yellow, daisy-like flower heads are clustered into branched, plume-like terminal sprays, followed by small ribbed achenes with a tuft of hairs (pappus).[1]
Habitat
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 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.
The flowering aerial parts are cut during flowering (late summer) and dried.[11]
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]
Goldenrod has a long European folk-medicine tradition as a mild 'aquaretic' diuretic and anti-inflammatory remedy for the urinary tract, used traditionally for urinary-tract irrigation therapy alongside adequate fluid intake, and topically as a wound herb (one common name is 'woundwort'). Modern phytochemical work confirms saponin- and flavonoid-driven anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and diuretic activity.[1, 11]
Preparations
Dosage
References
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
References & Sources
- 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
https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/615384 - Saini, N., Singh, D. and Sandhir, R (2019) 'Bacopa monnieri prevents colchicine-induced dementia by anti-inflammatory action', Metabolic Brain Disease, 34(2), pp. 505-518. doi:10.1007/s11011-018-0332-1 Preclinical
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
- Fursenco, C., Calalb, T., Uncu, L., Dinu, M. and others (2020) 'Solidago virgaurea L.: A Review of Its Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities', Biomolecules, 10(12), pp. 1619. doi:10.3390/biom10121619 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/biom10121619 - Abdel Motaal, A., Ezzat, S.M., Tadros, M.G. and El-Askary, H.I (2016) 'In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives from Solidago virgaurea in rats', Pharmaceutical Biology, 54(12), pp. 2864-2870. doi:10.1080/13880209.2016.1190381 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/13880209.2016.1190381 - Précheur, I., Rolland, Y., Hasseine, L., Orange, F. and others (2020) 'Solidago virgaurea L. Plant Extract Targeted Against Candida albicans to Reduce Oral Microbial Biomass: A Double Blind Randomized Trial on Healthy Adults', Antibiotics, 9(4), pp. 137. doi:10.3390/antibiotics9040137 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics9040137 - Wojnicz, D., Tichaczek-Goska, D., Glensk, M. and Hendrich, A.B (2021) 'Is It Worth Combining Solidago virgaurea Extract and Antibiotics against Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Rods? An In Vitro Model Study', Pharmaceutics, 13(4), pp. 573. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13040573 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13040573 - El-Tantawy, W.H (2013) 'Biochemical effects of Solidago virgaurea extract on experimental cardiotoxicity', Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, 70(1), pp. 33-42. doi:10.1007/s13105-013-0277-0 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13105-013-0277-0 - Gross, S.C., Goodarzi, G., Watabe, M., Bandyopadhyay, S. and others (2002) 'Antineoplastic activity of Solidago virgaurea on prostatic tumor cells in an SCID mouse model', Nutrition and Cancer, 43(1), pp. 76-81. doi:10.1207/S15327914NC431_9 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327914NC431_9 - Starks, C.M., Williams, R.B., Goering, M.G., O'Neil-Johnson, M. and others (2010) 'Antibacterial clerodane diterpenes from Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea)', Phytochemistry, 71(1), pp. 104-109. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.09.032 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.09.032 - Malicanin, M., Karabegovic, I., Dordevic, N., Mancic, S. and others (2024) 'Influence of the Extraction Method on the Biological Potential of Solidago virgaurea L. Essential Oil and Hydrolates', Plants, 13(16), pp. 2187. doi:10.3390/plants13162187 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13162187 - Zehra, S.A., Bhattarai, P., Zhang, J., Liu, Y. and others (2022) 'Phytochemical Analysis and Evaluation of the Antidiabetic Activity of Solidago virgaurea Extracts', Current Bioactive Compounds, 19(4), pp. e150622206146. doi:10.2174/1573407218666220615143502 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1573407218666220615143502 - Jang, Y.S., Wang, Z., Lee, J.M., Lee, J.Y. and others (2016) 'Screening of Korean Natural Products for Anti-Adipogenesis Properties and Isolation of Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside as a Potent Anti-Adipogenetic Compound from Solidago virgaurea', Molecules, 21(2), pp. 226. doi:10.3390/molecules21020226 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules21020226 - European Medicines Agency (2008) 'Community herbal monograph on Solidago virgaurea L., herba'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Community%20herbal%20monograph%20on%20Solidago%20virgaurea%20L.%2C%20herba - Bader, G., Binder, K., Hiller, K. and Zwintscher, U (1990) 'The saponins from Solidago virgaurea L', 45(8), pp. 618--622. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=The%20saponins%20from%20Solidago%20virgaurea%20L - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - 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 - Grow Forage Cook Ferment 'Foraging Goldenrod (Solidago): Identification and Uses'. Available at: https://www.growforagecookferment.com/foraging-goldenrod/ Traditional / reference
https://www.growforagecookferment.com/foraging-goldenrod/ - Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board 'Tansy Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)'. Available at: https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/tansy-ragwort Traditional / reference
https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/tansy-ragwort - Schneider, J. and Tsegaye, Y. and W/Tensae, M. and G/Selassie, S. and Haile, T. and Bane, A. and Ali, A. and Mesfin, G. and Seboxa, T (2012) 'Veno-occlusive liver disease: a case report', Ethiopian Medical Journal, 50 Suppl 2, pp. 47-51. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22946295/ Clinical study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22946295/
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.