Plant Comparison

Peach-leaved bellflower vs White Dead Nettle

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
Show:
Plant APeach-leaved bellflowerCampanula persicifoliaCampanulaceaeFull monograph →
Plant BWhite Dead NettleLamium albumLamiaceaeFull monograph →

At a glance

Peach-leaved bellflower and White Dead Nettle: they share 4 indicated uses (inflammation (general), wounds, skin irritation, …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.

Peach-leaved bellflowerWhite Dead Nettle
Constituents43
Pharmacological actions45
Indicated uses69
Safety notes24
Cited sources526
Indicated uses
Only Peach-leaved bellflower
Infection (general)Sore throat
Shared (4)
Inflammation (general)WoundsSkin irritationRespiratory support
Only White Dead Nettle
Arthritis / joint painBronchitisBruisingCoughDiarrhoea
Pharmacological actions
Only Peach-leaved bellflower
Antimicrobial
Shared (3)
AntioxidantAnti-inflammatoryVulnerary (wound healing)
Only White Dead Nettle
AstringentExpectorant

Evidence face-off — shared uses

ConditionPeach-leaved bellflowerWhite Dead NettleVerdict
Inflammation (general)7/102/10Stronger for Peach-leaved bellflower
Wounds2/101/10Comparable evidence
Skin irritation7/102/10Stronger for Peach-leaved bellflower
Respiratory support7/101/10Stronger for Peach-leaved bellflower

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

Phenolic acids (chlorogenic and caffeic acids)[1, 3]

Chlorogenic and caffeic acids are the dominant phenolics of bellflowers (antioxidant).

Phenolic acidsChlorogenic acidCaffeic acid
Flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol glycosides)[1, 2]

Flavonol glycosides such as quercetin and kaempferol glycosides.

FlavonoidsQuercetinKaempferol
Polyacetylenes (lobetyol, lobetyolin)[1, 2]

Acetylenic (polyacetylene) compounds lobetyol and lobetyolin, characteristic antioxidant constituents of the Campanulaceae.

Triterpenes and saponins[1]

Triterpenes and saponins reported across the genus Campanula.

Triterpene saponinsSaponins
Phenylpropanoid and flavonoid glycosides[13]

Verbascoside, tiliroside and quercetin/kaempferol 3-O-glucosides in the flowers.

Verbascoside (acteoside)GlycosidesKaempferolFlavonoidsQuercetin
Iridoid glycosides[14]

Lamalbid, alboside A and B and caryoptoside; linked to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Iridoid glycosidesGlycosides
Standardisation markers (Lamii albi flos)[15]

Lamalbid, chlorogenic acid, verbascoside, rutin and tiliroside, richest in the flowering tops.

Chlorogenic acidVerbascoside (acteoside)Rutin

Pharmacological Actions

Antioxidant[1, 2, 3, 4]
Anti-inflammatory[1, 3]

Bellflower extracts downregulate inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta).

Antimicrobial[1, 4]

Antibacterial activity of bellflower extracts/hydrolysates (genus Campanula).

Vulnerary (wound healing)[3]

Campanula macrostachya extract promoted fibroblast wound closure in vitro (genus congener).

Anti-inflammatory[1, 2, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17]

Astringent and anti-inflammatory infusion or tincture (flowering tops)

Parts: Flower, Aerial parts
Antioxidant[4, 13, 14]
Parts: Flower
Astringent[7, 15, 16, 17]

Astringent (catarrh, excessive menstrual or vaginal discharge); Astringent and anti-inflammatory infusion or tincture (flowering tops)

Parts: Flower, Aerial parts
Expectorant[8, 16, 18]
Parts: Flower
Vulnerary (wound healing)[11, 16, 17]

Vulnerary (minor wounds), applied topically

Parts: Leaf

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Inflammation (general)[1, 3]Good · 7/10
Evidence: 7
Label: Inflammation (general)
Wounds[3]Traditional · 2/10

Bellflower extract promoted fibroblast wound healing in vitro (genus congener).

Evidence: 2
Label: Wounds
Skin irritation[1, 3]Good · 7/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory / traditional topical skin use

Evidence: 7
Label: Skin irritation
Infection (general)[4]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 2
Label: Infection (general)
Sore throat[1]Good · 7/10

inferred from traditional gargle use for throat/mouth inflammation

Evidence: 7
Label: Sore throat
Respiratory support[1]Good · 7/10

inferred from genus Campanula traditional use for respiratory complaints

Evidence: 7
Label: Respiratory support
Arthritis / joint pain[14, 15, 16, 17]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
Bronchitis[16, 18]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from expectorant action

Evidence: 1
Label: Bronchitis
Bruising[16, 17]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from vulnerary action

Evidence: 1
Label: Bruising
Cough[16, 17]Traditional · 1/10

Astringent (catarrh, excessive menstrual or vaginal discharge)

Evidence: 1
Label: Cough
Diarrhoea[15, 16, 17]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from astringent action

Evidence: 2
Label: Diarrhoea
Inflammation (general)[14, 15, 16, 17]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Inflammation (general)
Respiratory support[16, 18]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from expectorant action

Evidence: 1
Label: Respiratory support
Skin irritation[15, 16, 17]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from astringent action

Evidence: 2
Label: Skin irritation
Wounds[16, 17]Traditional · 1/10

Vulnerary (minor wounds), applied topically

Evidence: 1
Label: Wounds

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety noteCaution

Peach-leaved bellflower is chiefly an edible and ornamental plant, and very little is known about medicinal use or safety of the species specifically; there are no clinical data. Use culinary amounts, and avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Safety note[1]Info

The pharmacological data here are for the genus Campanula and related bellflower species, not for Campanula persicifolia itself; interpret with caution.

Safety note[19]Info

Generally regarded as safe in culinary amounts and at normal medicinal doses; unlike the stinging nettle it has no stinging hairs.

Safety note[16, 19]Caution

Medicinal use during pregnancy or breastfeeding should be approached cautiously, as for any traditional astringent.

Safety note[17, 20]Caution

Identify correctly before foraging (resembles stinging nettle before flowering and red dead-nettle); clinical evidence is limited, so it should not replace conventional treatment.

Safety note[21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26]Info

Identification, distribution and horticultural references for Lamium album.

External Ids

Gbif: 5411475
Wikidata: Q790170
Gbif: 2926683
Wikidata: Q157626

Synonyms

Campanula persicifolia subsp. persicifolia

Not documented

Botanical Description

An elegant perennial herb of the bellflower family, 30-90 cm tall, growing from a slender rhizome. It forms an overwintering rosette of narrow, leathery, finely-toothed leaves that resemble those of a peach tree (hence 'peach-leaved'); the few stem leaves are similar but smaller. The large, broad, open bell-shaped flowers - about 3-4 cm across, clear blue to lilac or white - are borne in a loose, one-sided spike in summer. Like other bellflowers it exudes a white latex when cut. It is widely grown as an ornamental garden perennial, and its young leaves and roots have historically been eaten.[1]

Height: 30-90 cm
Habit: Slender rhizomatous perennial with an evergreen leaf rosette
Leaves: Narrow, leathery, finely toothed, peach-leaf-like; mostly in a basal rosette
Flowers: Large, broad, open bells (3-4 cm), clear blue to lilac or white, in a loose one-sided spike
Stem: Erect, slender, little-branched, exuding white latex when cut
Root: Slender rhizome with fibrous roots
Fruit: A nodding capsule opening by pores near the top
Flowering Period: June-August

Perennial herb closely resembling stinging nettle in leaf shape but entirely without stinging hairs. Square stems bear opposite, toothed, heart-shaped leaves, and whorls of white, hooded, two-lipped flowers cluster in the upper leaf axils.[15]

Height: 20-60 cm
Habit: Erect, clump-forming perennial herb
Leaves: Opposite, toothed, heart-shaped, resembling stinging nettle but without stinging hairs
Flowers: White, hooded, two-lipped, in dense whorls in the upper leaf axils
Stem: Square (typical of the mint family), unarmed (no stinging hairs)
Root: Creeping rhizome
Fruit: Small nutlet (typical of Lamiaceae)
Flowering Period: March-November (almost year-round in mild climates)

Habitat

Open woodland, wood margins, scrub, hedge banks and dry to moist grassland across much of Europe and into western Asia; also very widely cultivated and naturalised as a garden ornamental. It favours well-drained soils in sun or light shade.[1]

Grows in hedgerows, waste ground, gardens and roadsides on nitrogen-rich soils; native to Europe and temperate Asia, widely naturalised elsewhere.

Harvesting

Young leaves and shoots are gathered in spring for use as a salad or pot-herb (mild, faintly sweet, like other bellflowers and rampion); the flowers are gathered in summer, and the root can be dug in autumn. Chiefly a food and ornamental plant rather than a medicinal drug.[5]

Parts: Leaf, Flower, Root
Season: Young leaves/shoots in spring; flowers in summer; root in autumn

The flowering tops are picked as they open, largely through spring to autumn given the long flowering season, and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place; the standardisation markers are richest in the flowering tops specifically.[15]

Parts: Flower, Leaf, Aerial parts
Season: Spring through autumn, as flowers open

Traditional Uses

Peach-leaved bellflower is primarily an edible and ornamental plant rather than a classical medicinal herb: its young leaves and roots have long been eaten as a wild salad green or pot-herb, in the same way as its relative rampion (Campanula rapunculus). Folk use of bellflowers (Campanula) includes a leaf or flower infusion as a gentle gargle and wash for sore throat and mouth inflammation, and topical use of the crushed herb on inflamed skin. More broadly, the genus Campanula has traditional records of use for inflammatory, respiratory and cardiovascular complaints, backed by its phenolic, flavonoid and triterpene chemistry.[1, 5]

White dead-nettle flower has a long European folk history as an astringent remedy for catarrh and excessive menstrual or vaginal discharge, and topically as a vulnerary wash for minor wounds; the young leaves and shoots have also traditionally been eaten as a cooked spring pot-herb.

Preparations

Salad green / pot-herb[5]

Young leaves and shoots eaten raw in salads or lightly cooked as a mild pot-herb; the root is also edible (as with rampion bellflower).

Infusion / gargle[1]

A leaf or flower infusion used traditionally as a gentle gargle and wash for sore throat and mouth inflammation.

Not documented

References

REF-2816, REF-2817, REF-2818, REF-2819, REF-2820
REF-1746, REF-1747, REF-1748, REF-1749, REF-1750, REF-1751, REF-1752, REF-1753, REF-1754, REF-1755, REF-1756, REF-1757

Lookalikes Review

[1]

Outcome: none-known
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-10
Outcome: none-known
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

References & Sources

  1. Alhage, J. and Rahman, A.A. and Al-Bayssari, C. and Raad, M.T (2025) 'Bioactive Compounds Isolated from the Campanula Genus: A Review', Molecules, 30(23), pp. 4495. doi:10.3390/molecules30234495 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30234495
  2. Dumlu, M.U. and Gurkan, E. and Tuzlaci, E (2008) 'Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Campanula alliariifolia', Natural Product Research, 22(6), pp. 477-482. doi:10.1080/14786410701640429 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1080/14786410701640429
  3. Sarikurkcu, C. and Kargin Solmaz, F.O. and Isitez, N. and Erdogmus, S.F (2026) 'Ultrasound-assisted aqueous extract of Campanula macrostachya enhances fibroblast repair via antioxidant and cytokine-modulatory mechanisms', Protoplasma, 263(4), pp. 1361-1372. doi:10.1007/s00709-026-02192-z Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-026-02192-z
  4. Sarabandi, K. and Dashipour, A. and Izadi, Z. and Akbarbaglu, Z. and Katouzian, I. and Jafari, S.M (2023) 'Nutritional, biological, and structural properties of bioactive peptides from bellflower (Campanula latifolia), Persian-willow, and bitter-orange pollens', Journal of Food Science, 88(7), pp. 3119-3133. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.16658 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.16658
  5. Guarrera, P.M. and Savo, V (2016) 'Wild food plants used in traditional vegetable mixtures in Italy', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 185, pp. 202-234. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.02.050 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.02.050
  1. Czerwinska, M.E., Swierczewska, A., Wozniak, M. and Kiss, A.K (2017) 'Bioassay-Guided Isolation of Iridoids and Phenylpropanoids from Aerial Parts of Lamium album and Their Anti-inflammatory Activity in Human Neutrophils', Planta Medica, 83(12-13), pp. 1011-1019. doi:10.1055/s-0043-107031 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-107031
  2. Czerwinska, M.E., Swierczewska, A. and Granica, S (2018) 'Bioactive Constituents of Lamium album L. as Inhibitors of Cytokine Secretion in Human Neutrophils', Molecules, 23(11), pp. 2770. doi:10.3390/molecules23112770 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23112770
  3. Czerwinska, M.E., Kalinowska, E., Popowski, D. and Bazylko, A (2020) 'Lamalbid, Chlorogenic Acid, and Verbascoside as Tools for Standardization of Lamium album Flowers - Development and Validation of HPLC-DAD Method', Molecules, 25(7), pp. 1721. doi:10.3390/molecules25071721 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25071721
  4. Sulborska, A., Konarska, A., Matysik-Wozniak, A., Dmitruk, M., Weryszko-Chmielewska, E., Skalska-Kaminska, A. and Rejdak, R (2020) 'Phenolic Constituents of Lamium album L. subsp. album Flowers: Anatomical, Histochemical, and Phytochemical Study', Molecules, 25(24), pp. 6025. doi:10.3390/molecules25246025 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25246025
  5. Konarska, A., Weryszko-Chmielewska, E., Matysik-Wozniak, A., Sulborska, A., Polak, B., Dmitruk, M., Piotrowska-Weryszko, K., Stefanczyk, B. and Rejdak, R (2021) 'Histochemical and Phytochemical Analysis of Lamium album subsp. album L. Corolla: Essential Oil, Triterpenes, and Iridoids', Molecules, 26(14), pp. 4166. doi:10.3390/molecules26144166 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26144166
  6. Khanaki, K., Fekri, A., Abedinzade, M., Mohammadi, E. and Aghajanpour, F (2022) 'Potential anti-inflammatory effect of Lamium album extract through caspase-3 and cyclooxygenase-2 genes expression in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion', Folia Medica, 64(2), pp. 275-282. doi:10.3897/folmed.64.e60562 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3897/folmed.64.e60562
  7. Bubueanu, C., Iuksel, R. and Panteli, M (2019) 'Haemostatic activity of butanolic extracts of Lamium album and Lamium purpureum aerial parts', Acta Pharmaceutica, 69(3), pp. 443-449. doi:10.2478/acph-2019-0026 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.2478/acph-2019-0026
  8. Arefani, S., Mehran, S.M.M., Moladoust, H., Norasfard, M.R., Ghorbani, A. and Abedinzade, M (2018) 'Effects of standardized extracts of Lamium album and Urtica dioica on rat tracheal smooth muscle contraction', Journal of Pharmacopuncture, 21(2), pp. 70-75. doi:10.3831/KPI.2018.21.008 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2018.21.008
  9. Zhang, H., Rothwangl, K., Mesecar, A.D., Sabahi, A., Rong, L. and Fong, H.H.S (2009) 'Lamiridosins, hepatitis C virus entry inhibitors from Lamium album', Journal of Natural Products, 72(12), pp. 2158-2162. doi:10.1021/np900549e Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1021/np900549e
  10. Chipeva, V.A., Petrova, D.C., Geneva, M.E., Dimitrova, M.A., Moncheva, P.A. and Kapchina-Toteva, V.M (2013) 'Antimicrobial activity of extracts from in vivo and in vitro propagated Lamium album L. plants', African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 10(6), pp. 559-562. doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v10i6.30 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v10i6.30
  11. Paduch, R. and Wozniak, A (2015) 'The Effect of Lamium album Extract on Cultivated Human Corneal Epithelial Cells (10.014 pRSV-T)', Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research, 10(3), pp. 229-237. doi:10.4103/2008-322X.170349 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.4103/2008-322X.170349
  12. Abedinzade, M., Rostampour, M., Mirzajani, E., Khalesi, Z.B., Pourmirzaee, T. and Khanaki, K (2019) 'Urtica Dioica and Lamium Album Decrease Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 beta and Increase K-Ras in Diabetic Rats', Journal of Pharmacopuncture, 22(4), pp. 248-252. doi:10.3831/KPI.2019.22.033 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2019.22.033
  13. Budzianowski, J. and Skrzypczak, L (1995) 'Phenylpropanoid esters from Lamium album flowers', 38(4), pp. 997--1001. doi:10.1016/0031-9422(94)00727-B Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(94)00727-B
  14. Damtoft, S (1992) 'Iridoid glucosides from Lamium album', 31(1), pp. 175--178. doi:10.1016/0031-9422(91)83030-O Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83030-O
  15. Pietrzak, W. and Nowak, R (2020) 'Lamalbid, Chlorogenic Acid, and Verbascoside as Tools for Standardization of Lamium album Flowers - Development and Validation of HPLC-DAD Method', 25(8). doi:10.3390/molecules25081913 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25081913
  16. Grieve, M (1931). Available at: https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/netwhd11.html Traditional / reference
    https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/netwhd11.html
  17. Herbal Reality (n.d.) 'White Deadnettle (Lamium album): Benefits, Uses, Safety'. Available at: https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/white-deadnettle/ Traditional / reference
    https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/white-deadnettle/
  18. Ask-Ayurveda (n.d.) 'Lamium album (White Dead-Nettle) in Ayurveda - Benefits, Uses, Medicinal Properties & Healing Applications'. Available at: https://ask-ayurveda.com/wiki/article/4805-lamium-album Traditional / reference
    https://ask-ayurveda.com/wiki/article/4805-lamium-album
  19. Francis-Baker, T (2021), pp. 48. Traditional / reference
    https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Francis-Baker%2C%20T
  20. First Nature (n.d.) 'Lamium album, White Dead-nettle: identification, distribution, habitat'. Available at: https://www.first-nature.com/flowers/lamium-album.php Traditional / reference
    https://www.first-nature.com/flowers/lamium-album.php
  21. Ballyrobert Gardens (n.d.) 'Lamium album'. Available at: https://www.ballyrobertgardens.com/products/lamium-album Traditional / reference
    https://www.ballyrobertgardens.com/products/lamium-album
  22. Botanical Society of Scotland (2022) 'Plant of the Week - 17 January 2022: the White Dead-nettle (Lamium album)'. Available at: https://botsocscot.wordpress.com/2022/01/16/plant-of-the-week-january-17th-2022-the-white-dead-nettle-lamium-album/ Traditional / reference
    https://botsocscot.wordpress.com/2022/01/16/plant-of-the-week-january-17th-2022-the-white-dead-nettle-lamium-album/
  23. Gardeners' World (2024) 'World (2024)'. Available at: https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/dead-nettles/ Traditional / reference
    https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/dead-nettles/
  24. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.) 'Lamium album L'. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:448792-1 Traditional / reference
    https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:448792-1
  25. Royal Horticultural Society (n.d.) 'Lamium album (white deadnettle)'. Available at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/9810/lamium-album/details Traditional / reference
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/9810/lamium-album/details
  26. The Wildlife Trusts (n.d.) 'White dead-nettle'. Available at: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/white-dead-nettle Traditional / reference
    https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/white-dead-nettle

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.