Plant Comparison

Bistort vs Selfheal

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.

First plant
Second plant
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Plant ABistortBistorta officinalisPolygonaceaeFull monograph →
Plant BSelfhealPrunella vulgarisLamiaceaeFull monograph →

At a glance

Bistort and Selfheal: they share 7 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bruising, cancer (anticancer research), …); 4 pharmacological actions in common.

BistortSelfheal
Constituents32
Pharmacological actions710
Indicated uses1012
Safety notes32
Cited sources1437
Indicated uses
Only Bistort
DiarrhoeaHeavy menstrual bleedingSore throat
Shared (7)
Arthritis / joint painBruisingCancer (anticancer research)Infection (general)Inflammation (general)Skin irritationWounds
Only Selfheal
Cold & fluImmune supportBlood sugar / diabetes supportCardiovascular / heart healthCognitive function
Pharmacological actions
Only Bistort
AntidiarrhoealAstringentStyptic / haemostatic
Shared (4)
Anti-inflammatoryAnticancer (preclinical)AntimicrobialVulnerary (wound healing)
Only Selfheal
AntioxidantAntiviralImmunomodulator / immune supportNeuroprotective / cognition supportHepatoprotective (liver support)Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)

Evidence face-off — shared uses

ConditionBistortSelfhealVerdict
Arthritis / joint pain1/102/10Comparable evidence
Bruising1/102/10Comparable evidence
Cancer (anticancer research)2/107/10Stronger for Selfheal
Infection (general)1/102/10Comparable evidence
Inflammation (general)1/102/10Comparable evidence
Skin irritation1/102/10Comparable evidence
Wounds1/102/10Comparable 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

Tannins (15-36% of the rhizome: oligomeric proanthocyanidins, gallotannins, catechins)[13, 14]

Very high tannin content is the basis of the strong astringency.

ProanthocyanidinsTanninsCatechins
Phenolic acids and flavonoids[14]

Contribute to antioxidant and antibacterial activity.

Phenolic acidsFlavonoids
Starch and oxalic acid[13]

Other rhizome constituents.

Starch
Triterpenoids and phenolic acids[1, 3]

Pentacyclic triterpenoids (ursolic, oleanolic and betulinic acids), the phenolic acid rosmarinic acid, coumarins (umbelliferone, scopoletin, esculetin) and the flavonoid luteolin are the main bioactives behind self-heal's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity.

Rosmarinic acidPhenolic acidsCoumarinsFlavonoidsLuteolin
Sulphated and polyphenol-conjugated polysaccharides[4, 29, 30, 31]

Water-extracted polysaccharides — including a partially sulphated arabinogalactomannan (PSP-2B) and polyphenolic-protein-polysaccharide conjugates (PVG/PVE30) — are the principal antiviral and immunomodulatory constituents, blocking herpes simplex virus attachment and modulating innate immune signalling.

PolysaccharidesPhenolic compounds

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[4, 13, 14]

Anti-inflammatory gargle / mouthwash for inflammation of the mouth and throat (sore throat)

Anticancer (preclinical)[10, 11]

Bistorta officinalis (Polygonum bistorta) rhizome extract, rich in gallotannins and phenolic acids, shows cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activity against hepatocellular and other cancer cells (preclinical).

Antidiarrhoeal[4, 13, 14]

Astringent for mild diarrhoea (tannins tighten the gut lining and reduce excess secretion)

Antimicrobial[2, 12, 14]

Antibacterial (topical) - GC-MS-characterised extracts showed antibacterial activity

Astringent[7, 13, 14]

Astringent for mild diarrhoea (tannins tighten the gut lining and reduce excess secretion)

Styptic / haemostatic[13, 14]

Vulnerary and styptic for minor wounds (topical)

Vulnerary (wound healing)[13, 14]

Vulnerary and styptic for minor wounds (topical)

Anti-inflammatory[1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 15, 18, 20, 26, 27, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]
Antimicrobial[1, 3, 32, 33, 34]
Antioxidant[1, 2, 5, 9, 12, 17, 32, 33, 34]
Antiviral[2, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36]
Immunomodulator / immune support[4, 5, 9, 10, 15, 23, 26, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36]
Vulnerary (wound healing)[1, 27, 32, 33, 34]
Anticancer (preclinical)[6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 21, 22, 28]
Neuroprotective / cognition support[11, 25]
Hepatoprotective (liver support)[12, 16, 17]
Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)[19, 20, 24]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
Bruising[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from vulnerary action

Evidence: 1
Label: Bruising
Cancer (anticancer research)[10, 11]Traditional · 2/10

Polygonum bistorta (Bistorta officinalis) methanol-water and aqueous extracts inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma cells via ROS-induced ER stress and apoptosis (delaying xenograft tumour growth), with phenolic constituents driving the cytotoxicity (preclinical).

Evidence: 2
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)
Diarrhoea[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

Astringent for mild diarrhoea (tannins tighten the gut lining and reduce excess secretion)

Evidence: 1
Label: Diarrhoea
Heavy menstrual bleeding[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from styptic action

Evidence: 1
Label: Heavy menstrual bleeding
Infection (general)[12, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 1
Label: Infection (general)
Inflammation (general)[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

Anti-inflammatory gargle / mouthwash for inflammation of the mouth and throat (sore throat)

Evidence: 1
Label: Inflammation (general)
Skin irritation[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from astringent action

Evidence: 1
Label: Skin irritation
Sore throat[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

Anti-inflammatory gargle / mouthwash for inflammation of the mouth and throat (sore throat)

Evidence: 1
Label: Sore throat
Wounds[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

Vulnerary and styptic for minor wounds (topical)

Evidence: 1
Label: Wounds
Arthritis / joint pain[1, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
Bruising[1, 32, 33, 34]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from vulnerary action

Evidence: 2
Label: Bruising
Cold & flu[29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antiviral action

Evidence: 2
Label: Cold & flu
Immune support[10, 15, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Immune support
Infection (general)[1, 32, 33, 34]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 2
Label: Infection (general)
Inflammation (general)[1, 12, 15, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Inflammation (general)
Skin irritation[1, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Skin irritation
Wounds[1, 27, 32, 33, 34]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 2
Label: Wounds
Cancer (anticancer research)[6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 21, 22, 28]Good · 7/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 7
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)
Blood sugar / diabetes support[19, 20, 24]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Blood sugar / diabetes support
Cardiovascular / heart health[18, 19]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Cardiovascular / heart health
Cognitive function[25]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Cognitive function

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[13]Info

Very tannin-rich: high or prolonged intake may cause stomach upset or constipation and can reduce the absorption of iron and some medicines taken at the same time.

Safety note[13]Info

Traditional use only; diarrhoea persisting beyond a few days, or mouth/throat inflammation that does not settle, needs medical assessment.

Safety note[13]Caution

Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established; avoid medicinal doses.

Safety note[32, 33, 34]Caution

Generally very safe and well tolerated. No significant known toxicity or drug interactions. Safe for topical and internal use in normal medicinal doses. Suitable for most adults including children in appropriate doses.

Safety note[32, 33, 34, 37]Info

Duke (2002) rates self-heal as +++ and notes antioxidant (score 2), anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and COX-2 inhibitory activities. The plant contains luteolin, rosmarinic acid, and hyperoside — all with well-documented bioactivities. Hepatoprotective activity has been experimentally demonstrated. Duke notes that self-heal has a broad antimicrobial spectrum and an impressive antioxidant profile, supporting its traditional reputation as a versatile wound-healing herb. No significant safety concerns at normal herbal doses (Duke, 2002).

External Ids

Gbif: 7925535
Wikidata: Q112917
Gbif: 5341297
Wikidata: Q158469

Botanical Description

Perennial herb rising from a thick, twisted, S- or snake-shaped rhizome (giving the names 'bistort' and 'snakeroot'), blackish outside and pink inside. The basal leaves are broadly oval to lance-shaped on long stalks; stem leaves are smaller and stalkless. A single dense, cylindrical spike of small, pale pink flowers is borne atop each unbranched flowering stem.[14]

Height: 30-80 cm
Habit: Erect perennial herb from a twisted rhizome
Leaves: Basal leaves broadly oval to lance-shaped, long-stalked; stem leaves smaller, stalkless
Flowers: Dense, cylindrical spike of small pale pink flowers atop an unbranched stem
Stem: Erect, unbranched, one flower spike per stem
Root: Thick, twisted, S-shaped (snake-like) rhizome, blackish outside, pink inside
Fruit: Small, glossy, three-angled achene
Flowering Period: May-August

Low, creeping to semi-erect perennial herb (Lamiaceae), 5-30 cm tall, with square, often purplish stems. Leaves are opposite, ovate with slightly toothed margins. Small, two-lipped, violet-purple flowers are densely packed into a compact, club-shaped terminal spike subtended by purplish bracts.[1]

Height: 5-30 cm
Habit: Low, creeping to semi-erect perennial herb
Leaves: Opposite, ovate, slightly toothed
Flowers: Small, two-lipped, violet-purple, in a compact club-shaped terminal spike
Stem: Square, often purplish
Root: Fibrous, spreading perennial rootstock
Fruit: Four small nutlets (typical Lamiaceae schizocarp)
Flowering Period: June-September

Habitat

Grows in damp meadows, pastures, streamsides and mountain grassland on moist, often calcareous soils; native to Europe and temperate Asia, favouring cooler upland regions.[14]

Native throughout Europe, Asia and North America (circumboreal), extremely common in lawns, meadows, woodland clearings, roadsides and waste ground, tolerating mowing and a wide range of soils.[1]

Harvesting

The rhizome is dug in autumn or early spring, when tannin content is highest, cleaned and dried; aerial parts are gathered in summer while flowering.[14]

Parts: Rhizome (root) and aerial parts
Season: Rhizome in autumn or early spring; aerial parts in summer flowering

Whole flowering aerial parts (flower, leaf and stem) are cut during flowering (summer) and dried.[1]

Parts: Flower, Leaf, Stem
Season: Summer, during flowering

Traditional Uses

Bistort rhizome, one of the most tannin-rich temperate herbs, has a long European folk history as a powerful astringent for mild diarrhoea, as a gargle for sore throat and mouth inflammation, and topically as a vulnerary and styptic for minor wounds and bleeding; young leaves have also traditionally been eaten as a spring pot-herb ('Easter-ledge pudding').[13, 14]

Selfheal has an extremely broad folk-medicine reputation across European, North American and Traditional Chinese Medicine traditions - as its name suggests, used as an all-purpose wound herb, gargle for sore throat, and internal remedy for fevers and inflammation. Modern research on its triterpenoid, phenolic and polysaccharide constituents supports wide-ranging antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral activity.[1]

Preparations

Decoction (rhizome)[14]

Dried rhizome simmered in water as a strongly astringent traditional remedy for diarrhoea, or used as a gargle/mouthwash for sore throat.

Poultice/wash[13]

Crushed rhizome or aerial parts applied externally, or used as a wash, for minor wounds and bleeding.

Infusion (tea)[1]

Dried aerial parts steeped in hot water, taken internally or used as a gargle or wash.

References

REF-0746, REF-0747, REF-0748, REF-2116, REF-2117, REF-2118, REF-2119, REF-2120, REF-2121, REF-2122, REF-2123, REF-0627
REF-0659, REF-2422, REF-2423, REF-2424, REF-2425, REF-2878, REF-2879, REF-2880, REF-2881, REF-2882, REF-2883, REF-2884, REF-2885, REF-2886, REF-2887, REF-2888, REF-2911, REF-2912, REF-2913, REF-2914, REF-2915, REF-2916, REF-2917, REF-2918, REF-2919, REF-2920, REF-2921, REF-2922

Lookalikes Review

Outcome: none-known
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07
Outcome: none-known
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Dosage

Not documented

Infusion (tea)[1]

Traditional guidance suggests roughly 2-4 g dried herb per cup as an infusion, up to three times daily, or an equivalent tincture; used topically as a wash or gargle at similar strength. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

References & Sources

  1. Pawłowska, K.A., Hałasa, R., Dudek, M.K., Majdan, M. et al (2020) 'Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of bistort (Bistorta officinalis) aqueous extract and its major components: justification of the usage of the medicinal plant material as a traditional topical agent', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 260, pp. 113077. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113077 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113077
  2. Jovanović, M., Morić, I., Nikolić, B., Pavić, A. et al (2020) 'Anti-Virulence Potential and In Vivo Toxicity of Persicaria maculosa and Bistorta officinalis Extracts', Molecules, 25(8), pp. 1811. doi:10.3390/molecules25081811 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25081811
  3. Duwiejua, M., Zeitlin, I.J., Waterman, P.G. and Gray, A.I (1994) 'Anti-inflammatory activity of Polygonum bistorta, Guaiacum officinale and Hamamelis virginiana in rats', Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 46(4), pp. 286-290. doi:10.1111/j.2042-7158.1994.tb03795.x Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7158.1994.tb03795.x
  4. Esmaealzadeh, N., Abdolghaffari, A., Baeeri, M., Hasanpour, M., Iranshahi, M., Santarcangelo, C., Gholami, M. and Bahramsoltani, R (2024) 'Protective effect of freeze-dried extract of Persicaria bistorta Samp. on acetic acid-induced colitis model in rats: involvement of nitric oxide and opioid system', Inflammopharmacology, 32(6), pp. 3845-3861. doi:10.1007/s10787-024-01518-8 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-024-01518-8
  5. Klimczak, U., Wozniak, M., Tomczyk, M. and Granica, S (2017) 'Chemical composition of edible aerial parts of meadow bistort (Persicaria bistorta (L.) Samp.)', Food Chemistry, 230, pp. 281-290. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.02.128 Preclinical
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  6. Manoharan, K.P., Benny, T.K.H. and Yang, D (2005) 'Cycloartane type triterpenoids from the rhizomes of Polygonum bistorta', Phytochemistry, 66(19), pp. 2304-2308. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2005.07.008 Preclinical
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  7. Liu, X., Hua, H., Liu, J., Chen, F. and Wu, L (2006) 'A new tannin-related compound from the rhizome of Polygonum bistorta L', Journal of Asian Natural Products Research, 8(4), pp. 299-302. doi:10.1080/10286020500034956 Preclinical
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  8. Yang, W., Qian, Z., Wu, M., Gao, J., Huang, Q., Zou, Y. and Tang, D (2023) 'Online microextraction coupled with HPLC-ABTS for rapid analysis of antioxidants from the root of Polygonum bistorta', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2023, pp. 7496848. doi:10.1155/2023/7496848 Preclinical
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  9. Bauer, I., Rimbach, G., Nevermann, S., Neuhauser, C., Schwarzinger, B., Schwarzinger, C., Weghuber, J. and Luersen, K (2023) 'In-vitro antidiabetic activity of a Bistorta officinalis Delarbre root extract can not be confirmed in the in-vivo models hen's egg test and Drosophila melanogaster', Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 74(1). doi:10.26402/jpp.2023.1.04 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.26402/jpp.2023.1.04
  10. Intisar, A., Zhang, L., Luo, H., Kiazolu, J.B., Zhang, R. and Zhang, W (2012) 'Anticancer constituents and cytotoxic activity of methanol-water extract of Polygonum bistorta L', African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 10(1), pp. 53-59. doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v10i1.9 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v10i1.9
  11. Liu, Y., Weng, Y., Lin, H., Tang, S., Chen, C., Liang, C., Ku, C. and Lin, J (2017) 'Aqueous extract of Polygonum bistorta modulates proteostasis by ROS-induced ER stress in human hepatoma cells', Scientific Reports, 7, pp. 41437. doi:10.1038/srep41437 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1038/srep41437
  12. Khan, S., Arshad, S., Masood, I., Arif, A., Abbas, S., Qureshi, A.W., Parveen, A. and Seemab Ameen, Z (2023) 'GC-MS Analysis of Persicaria bistorta: Uncovering the Molecular Basis of Its Traditional Medicinal Use', Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 196(4), pp. 2270--2288. doi:10.1007/s12010-023-04580-0 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-023-04580-0
  13. WebMD (n.d.) 'Bistort: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews'. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-75/bistort Traditional / reference
    https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-75/bistort
  14. (2020) 'Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of bistort (Bistorta officinalis) aqueous extract and its major components - justification of the usage of the medicinal plant material as a traditional topical agent', Journal of Ethnopharmacology. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113077 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113077
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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.