Plant Comparison

Blessed Thistle vs Butterbur

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

Plant ABlessed ThistleCnicus benedictusAsteraceaeFull monograph →

Plant BButterburPetasites hybridusAsteraceaeFull monograph →

At a glance

Blessed Thistle and Butterbur: both belong to the Asteraceae family; they share 1 indicated use (cancer (anticancer research)); 1 pharmacological action in common.

Blessed ThistleButterbur

Constituents32

Pharmacological actions74

Indicated uses109

Safety notes32

Cited sources1214

Indicated uses

Only Blessed Thistle

Loss of appetiteArthritis / joint painBloatingIndigestionInfection (general)Inflammation (general)Lactation supportSkin irritationWounds

Shared (1)

Cancer (anticancer research)

Only Butterbur

Allergy / hay feverAsthmaCoughFeverHeadacheMenstrual crampsMigraineMuscle spasm

Pharmacological actions

Only Blessed Thistle

Anti-inflammatoryAntimicrobialAppetite stimulantBitter digestive tonic / stomachicDigestive aidGalactagogue (supports lactation)

Shared (1)

Anticancer (preclinical)

Only Butterbur

Antihistaminic / antiallergicAntispasmodicBronchodilator / anti-asthmatic

Evidence face-off — shared uses

Condition	Blessed Thistle	Butterbur	Verdict
Cancer (anticancer research)	2/10	2/10	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

Sesquiterpene lactones (cnicin, arctigenin, arctiin)^[4]

Cnicin is the principal bitter principle and main bioactive compound.

Sesquiterpene lactonesSesquiterpenesArctigenin / arctiin

Flavonoids, lignans and tannins^[4]

Additional antioxidant and astringent constituents.

FlavonoidsLignansTannins

Volatile oil^[4]

Aromatic constituents of the herb.

Essential (volatile) oil

Sesquiterpenes (petasin and isopetasin)^{[2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11]}

The anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic active principles; standardised in commercial extracts.

Sesquiterpenes

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs)^[11]

Naturally present but hepatotoxic and carcinogenic; must be removed to make a safe product.

Alkaloids

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[1, 4, 7]}

Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory (attributed to cnicin)

Anticancer (preclinical)^[5]

Antimicrobial^{[1, 4, 6]}

Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory (attributed to cnicin)

Appetite stimulant^{[4, 11]}

Appetite stimulant for loss of appetite (approved use under German Commission E)

Bitter digestive tonic / stomachic^{[4, 11]}

Bitter digestive / stomachic for indigestion and dyspepsia (stimulates saliva and gastric secretion)

Digestive aid^{[4, 11]}

Bitter digestive / stomachic for indigestion and dyspepsia (stimulates saliva and gastric secretion)

Galactagogue (supports lactation)^{[11, 12]}

Galactagogue to support breast-milk supply (traditional; no valid clinical-trial evidence)

Anticancer (preclinical)^[5]

Antihistaminic / antiallergic^{[2, 3, 8, 11, 12]}

Relief of allergic rhinitis / hay fever (antihistaminic and leukotriene-inhibiting; systematic review found it superior to placebo and comparable to non-sedating antihistamines for intermittent allergic rhinitis)

Antispasmodic^{[2, 6, 8, 9, 11]}

Antispasmodic support in bronchial asthma

Bronchodilator / anti-asthmatic^{[6, 11]}

Antispasmodic support in bronchial asthma

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Loss of appetite^{[4, 11]}Traditional · 1/10

Appetite stimulant for loss of appetite (approved use under German Commission E)

Evidence: 1

Label: Loss of appetite

Arthritis / joint pain^[4]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

Bloating^{[4, 11]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 1

Label: Bloating

Cancer (anticancer research)^[5]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 2

Label: Cancer (anticancer research)

Indigestion^{[4, 11]}Traditional · 1/10

Bitter digestive / stomachic for indigestion and dyspepsia (stimulates saliva and gastric secretion)

Evidence: 1

Label: Indigestion

Infection (general)^[4]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 1

Label: Infection (general)

Inflammation (general)^[4]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Inflammation (general)

Lactation support^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

Galactagogue to support breast-milk supply (traditional; no valid clinical-trial evidence)

Evidence: 1

Label: Lactation support

Skin irritation^[4]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Skin irritation

Wounds^[4]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 1

Label: Wounds

Allergy / hay fever^{[3, 11, 12]}Good · 8/10

Evidence: 8

Label: Allergy / hay fever

Asthma^{[6, 11]}Limited · 3/10

Antispasmodic support in bronchial asthma

Evidence: 3

Label: Asthma

Cancer (anticancer research)^[5]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 2

Label: Cancer (anticancer research)

Cough^[11]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from bronchodilator action

Evidence: 2

Label: Cough

Fever^{[11, 12]}Good · 7/10

Evidence: 7

Label: Fever

Headache^{[4, 11, 13]}Moderate · 6/10

Evidence: 6

Label: Headache

Menstrual cramps^[11]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Evidence: 2

Label: Menstrual cramps

Migraine^{[4, 11, 13]}Moderate · 6/10

Migraine prophylaxis (reduces attack frequency; up to ~60% reduction vs placebo in a randomised controlled trial of a standardised CO2 root extract)

Evidence: 6

Label: Migraine

Muscle spasm^[11]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Evidence: 2

Label: Muscle spasm

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^[11]Info

As a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae/ragweed), it can cause allergic reactions in sensitive people; high doses reportedly cause stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting.

Safety note^[11]Caution

Avoid during pregnancy because of a traditional uterine-stimulating reputation.

Safety note^[12]Info

Although traditionally used to support milk supply, there is no scientifically valid clinical evidence for the galactagogue use.

Safety note^[11]Serious

Use ONLY certified pyrrolizidine-alkaloid (PA)-free, standardised extracts. Raw or unprocessed butterbur contains PAs that are toxic to the liver and potentially carcinogenic.

Safety note^[11]Caution

Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae), it can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to ragweed and related plants. Watch for and report any signs of liver problems.

External Ids

Gbif: 3127698

Powo: urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:61760-2

Wikidata: Q15548577

Gbif: 9490132

Wikidata: Q375620

Botanical Description

Branching annual herb with a hairy, reddish, ridged stem and spiny, deeply lobed leaves with prominent pale veins. The flower heads are pale yellow, thistle-like, surrounded by a whorl of spiny, leaf-like bracts, giving the plant its 'spotted thistle' appearance.^[4]

Height: 20-60 cm

Habit: Branching, hairy annual herb

Leaves: Spiny, deeply lobed, with prominent pale veins

Flowers: Pale yellow, thistle-like flower heads surrounded by spiny bracts

Stem: Hairy, reddish, ridged, branching

Root: Shallow taproot

Fruit: Ribbed achene with a feathery pappus

Flowering Period: June-August

Robust, rhizomatous perennial herb (Asteraceae) that flowers before the leaves emerge: thick, pinkish, scaly flower spikes push up from the ground in early spring, followed by enormous rounded to heart-shaped leaves - up to about 1 m across at maturity - on stout stalks, giving rise to the common name 'umbrella plant'.^[2]

Height: Flower spikes low in early spring; leaves later up to ~1 m across

Habit: Robust, rhizomatous, colony-forming perennial herb

Leaves: Enormous, rounded to heart-shaped, up to ~1 m across, on stout stalks

Flowers: Thick, pinkish, scaly flower spikes, appearing before the leaves

Stem: Thick underground rhizome; scaly flowering stalks in early spring

Root: Thick, spreading rhizome

Fruit: Small ribbed achenes with a pappus (typical Asteraceae)

Flowering Period: February-April, before the leaves emerge

Habitat

Grows on dry, sunny waste ground, roadsides and rocky slopes; native to the Mediterranean region and Western Asia and naturalised elsewhere as a garden escape.^[4]

Native to damp, marshy ground across Europe and western Asia - riverbanks, ditches, wet meadows and damp woodland margins - favouring moist, nutrient-rich soils.^[2]

Harvesting

The flowering aerial parts are cut as the plant comes into flower, in summer, and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place to preserve the bitter principle cnicin.^[4]

Parts: Aerial parts (flowering herb)

Season: Summer, at flowering

Rhizome/root is dug in autumn or early spring; leaves are gathered during the growing season. Raw material naturally contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, so commercial products are manufactured to remove them (PA-free standardised extracts); home-gathered material should never be used medicinally.^[11]

Parts: Root/rhizome, Leaf

Season: Root/rhizome in autumn or early spring; leaf during the growing season

Traditional Uses

Blessed thistle has a long European folk reputation as a bitter digestive tonic for loss of appetite and dyspepsia (an approved use under German Commission E) and, more anecdotally, as a traditional galactagogue to support breast-milk supply, though robust clinical evidence for the latter is lacking.^{[4, 11]}

Butterbur has a long European folk-medicine history as a fever remedy - the name 'pestilence wort' reflects its historic use during plague outbreaks - and for asthma, cough and migraine-type headache. Modern clinical trials of standardised, pyrrolizidine-alkaloid-free extracts support its use for migraine prevention and allergic rhinitis.^{[2, 3, 4]}

Preparations

Infusion^[11]

Dried flowering herb infused briefly in hot water as a bitter digestive tea, taken before meals.

Standardised PA-free extract (tablet)^{[3, 4, 11]}

The only recommended form - e.g. the CO2-extracted root product studied for migraine prevention, or the Ze 339 leaf extract studied for allergic rhinitis. Raw root or leaf tea should never be used, as it retains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Dosage

Infusion^[11]

Traditional herbal references suggest around 1-2 g of dried herb per cup, taken before meals, up to three times daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Standardised PA-free extract^{[3, 4]}

Clinical trials have used standardised PA-free extracts (for example around 50-75 mg twice daily of a CO2 root extract for migraine prevention). Always use a certified PA-free commercial product, never raw plant material. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

References

REF-0773, REF-0774, REF-0775, REF-0419, REF-1995, REF-1996, REF-1997, REF-1998, REF-1999, REF-2000

REF-1476, REF-1477, REF-1478, REF-1479, REF-1480, REF-1481, REF-1482, REF-1483, REF-1484, REF-1485

Lookalikes Review

Outcome: none-known

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Outcome: has-lookalikes

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Dangerous Lookalikes

Not documented

Safety note^[14]Dangerous

Dangerous Plant: adenostyles-alliariae

Confused Part: Very large rounded leaves and rhizome gathered for use; alpendost has similar large rounded leaves and the same hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Confusion Context: Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) has very large rounded leaves and is used medicinally (as pyrrolizidine-free standardised extracts). In the wild its foliage is confused with alpendost (Adenostyles alliariae) and coltsfoot, all large-leaved damp-ground plants. Alpendost contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids and, gathered in mistake for coltsfoot/butterbur and brewed as tea, has caused liver veno-occlusive disease (Sperl et al., 1995). Butterbur's own raw leaves also contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, so wild butterbur should only be used as tested, PA-free products rather than home-gathered material.

Distinguishing Features: Leaf: butterbur has enormous rounded leaves (up to about 1 m across when mature) on stout stalks; alpendost leaves are large but smaller and more coarsely toothed. Neither should be brewed from home-gathered material., Flowers: butterbur pushes up thick pinkish flower spikes in early spring before the leaves; alpendost has fluffy whitish-pink flower clusters among its leaves in summer., Best practice: do not brew wild butterbur or its large-leaved lookalikes at all - use only standardised, pyrrolizidine-free commercial butterbur preparations.

Key Test: Do not gather large rounded 'butterbur' leaves for tea - butterbur, alpendost and coltsfoot all look alike and carry liver-damaging pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Use only standardised, pyrrolizidine-free commercial butterbur products rather than home-collected leaves.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

References & Sources

Rezig, K., Benkaci-Ali, F., Foucaunier, M.L., Laurent, S. et al (2023) 'HPLC/ESI-MS Characterization of Phenolic Compounds from Cnicus benedictus L. Roots: A Study of Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Alzheimer's Activity', Chemistry & Biodiversity, 21(1), pp. e202300724. doi:10.1002/cbdv.202300724 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202300724
Ahmadimoghaddam, D., Sadeghian, R., Ranjbar, A., Izadidastenaei, Z. and Mohammadi, S (2020) 'Antinociceptive activity of Cnicus benedictus L. leaf extract: a mechanistic evaluation', Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 15(5), pp. 463-472. doi:10.4103/1735-5362.297849 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4103/1735-5362.297849
Zhang, J., Shen, S., Zhu, S., Jia, F. et al (2024) 'Cnicus benedictus extract-loaded electrospun gelatin wound dressing for treating diabetic wounds: An in vitro and in vivo study', Journal of Applied Biomaterials & Functional Materials, 22, pp. 22808000241245298. doi:10.1177/22808000241245298 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1177/22808000241245298
Zietal, K., Mirowska-Guzel, D., Nowaczyk, A. and Blecharz-Klin, K (2024) 'Cnicus benedictus: Folk Medicinal Uses, Biological Activities, and In Silico Screening of Main Phytochemical Constituents', Planta Medica. doi:10.1055/a-2401-6049 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2401-6049
Jalil, D.M., Al-Mahdawi, T.T., Jameel, M.G. and Talal, M (2024) 'In Vitro Evaluate the Antiproliferative Impact of Cnicus Benedictus L. Leaves Methanolic Extract on Cervical Cancer', Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 25(10), pp. 3643-3649. doi:10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.10.3643 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.10.3643
Peng, Y., Jian, Y., Zulfiqar, A., Li, B., Zhang, K., Long, F., Peng, C., Cai, X., Khan, I.A. and Wang, W (2017) 'Two new sesquiterpene lactone glycosides from Cnicus benedictus', Natural Product Research, 31(19), pp. 2211-2217. doi:10.1080/14786419.2017.1295239 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2017.1295239
Paun, G., Neagu, E., Moroeanu, V., Albu, C., Savin, S. and Lucian Radu, G (2019) 'Chemical and Bioactivity Evaluation of Cnicus benedictus and Eryngium planum Polyphenolic-Rich Extracts', BioMed Research International, 2019, pp. 3692605. doi:10.1155/2019/3692605 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/3692605
Gobrecht, P., Gebel, J., Leibinger, M., Zeitler, C., Chen, Z., Grundemann, D. and Fischer, D (2024) 'Cnicin promotes functional nerve regeneration', Phytomedicine, 129, pp. 155641. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155641 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155641
Avula, B., Katragunta, K., Wang, Y.H., Ali, Z. and Khan, I.A (2022) 'Simultaneous determination and characterization of flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactone, and other phenolics from Centaurea benedicta and dietary supplements using UHPLC-PDA-MS and LC-DAD-QToF', Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 216, pp. 114806. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114806 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114806
Paun, G., Neagu, E., Albu, C. and Radu, G.L (2015) 'Inhibitory potential of some Romanian medicinal plants against enzymes linked to neurodegenerative diseases and their antioxidant activity', Pharmacognosy Magazine, 11(Suppl 1), pp. S110-S116. doi:10.4103/0973-1296.157709 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-1296.157709
Drugs.com (n.d.) 'Blessed Thistle Uses, Benefits & Dosage'. Available at: https://www.drugs.com/npp/blessed-thistle.html Traditional / reference
https://www.drugs.com/npp/blessed-thistle.html
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) (2021) 'Blessed Thistle'. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501775/ Traditional / reference
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501775/

Alhusayan, R.M., Aldahmash, B.A., El-Nagar, D.M., Rady, A. and others (2020) 'Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) Extract Ameliorates Hepatic Damage Induced by Ovalbumin in Mice', Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2020, pp. 3178214. doi:10.1155/2020/3178214 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/3178214
Kalin, P (2003) 'The common butterbur (Petasites hybridus)--portrait of a medicinal herb', Forschende Komplementarmedizin und Klassische Naturheilkunde, 10(Suppl 1), pp. 41-44. doi:10.1159/000071691 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1159/000071691
Brattstrom, A (2003) 'A newly developed extract (Ze 339) from butterbur (Petasites hybridus L.) is clinically efficient in allergic rhinitis (hay fever)', Phytomedicine, 10(Suppl 4), pp. 50-52. doi:10.1078/1433-187x-00304 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1078/1433-187x-00304
Lipton, R.B., Gobel, H., Einhaupl, K.M., Wilks, K. and Mauskop, A (2004) 'Petasites hybridus root (butterbur) is an effective preventive treatment for migraine', Neurology, 63(12), pp. 2240-2244. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000147290.68260.11 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000147290.68260.11
Apostolova, S., Oreshkova, T., Uzunova, V., Georgieva, I. and others (2023) 'A Standardized Extract of Petasites hybridus L., Containing the Active Ingredients Petasins, Acts as a Pro-Oxidant and Triggers Apoptosis through Elevating of NF-kB in a Highly Invasive Human Breast Cancer Cell Line', Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition), 28(6), pp. 111. doi:10.31083/j.fbl2806111 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.31083/j.fbl2806111
Danesch, U.C (2004) 'Petasites hybridus (Butterbur root) extract in the treatment of asthma--an open trial', Alternative Medicine Review, 9(1), pp. 54-62. Clinical study
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Petasites%20hybridus%20%28Butterbur%20root%29%20extract%20in%20the%20treatment%20of%20asthma--an%20open%20trial
Aydin, A.A., Zerbes, V., Parlar, H. and Letzel, T (2013) 'The medical plant butterbur (Petasites): analytical and physiological (re)view', Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 75, pp. 220-229. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2012.11.028 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2012.11.028
Kulinowski, L., Luca, S.V., Minceva, M. and Skalicka-Wozniak, K (2022) 'A review on the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of butterbur species (Petasites L.)', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 293, pp. 115263. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2022.115263 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115263
Alternative Medicine Review (2001) 'Monograph: Petasites hybridus', Alternative Medicine Review, 6(2), pp. 207-209. Meta-analysis / review
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Monograph%3A%20Petasites%20hybridus
Kulinowski, L., Luca, S.V., Pecio, L., Minceva, M. and Skalicka-Wozniak, K (2023) 'Liquid-liquid chromatography isolation of Petasites hybridus sesquiterpenes and their LC-HR-MS/MS and NMR characterization', Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 234, pp. 115529. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115529 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115529
Sadler, C., Vanderjagt, L. and Vohra, S (2007) 'Complementary, holistic, and integrative medicine: butterbur', Pediatrics in Review. doi:10.1542/pir.28-6-235 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.28-6-235
Guo, R. and Pittler, M.H. and Ernst, E (2007) 'Herbal medicines for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a systematic review', Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 99(6), pp. 483--495. doi:10.1016/S1081-1206(10)60375-4 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1081-1206(10)60375-4
Grossmann, M. and Schmidramsl, H (2000) 'An extract of Petasites hybridus is effective in the prophylaxis of migraine', International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 38(9), pp. 430--435. doi:10.5414/cpp38430 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.5414/cpp38430
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

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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.