Plant Comparison
Artichoke vs Wild Lettuce
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
Artichoke and Wild Lettuce: both belong to the Asteraceae family.
Key Constituents
The principal choleretic, hepatoprotective and antioxidant constituents.
Antioxidant constituents of the leaf.
The bitter principle that stimulates digestion.
Bitter, centrally-active constituents responsible for the sedative and pain-relieving effects; isolated lactucin and lactucopicrin produced analgesia comparable to ibuprofen and sedation in rodent tests.
The historical medicinal preparation, concentrating the active lactones.
Pharmacological Actions
Hepatoprotective / liver support (protects liver cells and may aid their regeneration)
Mild analgesic / anodyne for pain (lactucin and lactucopicrin act on the central nervous system) - in mice these compounds produced analgesia comparable to ibuprofen
Calming for nervous tension and restlessness
Traditional & Indicated Uses
Digestive aid for dyspeptic complaints - indigestion, bloating and fullness
inferred from lipid-lowering action
inferred from hepatoprotective action
inferred from lipid-lowering action
Supports irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms
Digestive aid for dyspeptic complaints - indigestion, bloating and fullness
Antitussive for an irritable, dry cough (traditional)
Sedative for sleeplessness / insomnia - lactucin and lactucopicrin showed sedative activity in animal models
Calming for nervous tension and restlessness
Mild analgesic / anodyne for pain (lactucin and lactucopicrin act on the central nervous system) - in mice these compounds produced analgesia comparable to ibuprofen
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Because it stimulates bile flow, artichoke is contraindicated in bile-duct obstruction and should only be used under medical supervision if you have gallstones.
As a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae), it can cause allergic reactions in sensitive people; use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.
Can be unsafe in large amounts or if harvested too early: overdose can cause sweating, fast heartbeat, dilated pupils, dizziness, ringing in the ears, vision changes, heavy sedation, breathing difficulty and, in extreme cases, death.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Tall, thistle-like perennial herb with large, deeply lobed, silvery-green leaves, spiny in wild forms but usually spineless in cultivated globe artichoke. The plant produces a large, edible immature flower bud (the 'artichoke heart' of cuisine) which, left to mature, opens into a striking violet-blue thistle flower.[3]
Tall, bristly biennial herb with a milky latex throughout, and prickly-edged, often blue-green leaves that tend to twist to align edge-on with the sun ('compass plant' habit). Small, pale yellow, dandelion-like flower heads are borne in loose branched clusters atop a tall, spiny-stemmed flowering stalk.[11]
Habitat
Native to the Mediterranean region; cultivated widely as a vegetable and medicinal crop in warm-temperate climates on rich, well-drained soil.[3]
Grows on dry waste ground, roadsides, hedgerows and disturbed soil; native to Europe, North Africa and Western Asia and naturalised in North America.
Harvesting
For medicinal use, the leaves are picked before flowering, when caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid/cynarin) content is highest, and dried; the edible flower bud is separately harvested young, before the flower opens.[3]
The milky latex is traditionally collected by scoring the flowering stem and letting the exuded sap dry into lactucarium; the aerial parts (leaf and stem) are also cut and dried while the plant is flowering.[11]
Traditional Uses
Artichoke leaf has a long Mediterranean folk history as a bitter digestive and liver remedy, used to stimulate bile flow and ease dyspeptic complaints such as indigestion, bloating and fullness, and as a traditional hepatoprotective 'liver tonic'; modern standardised leaf extracts are also studied for supporting healthy cholesterol levels.[3]
Wild lettuce has a long folk history, reflected in the name 'opium lettuce', as a mild sedative and analgesic remedy for insomnia, nervous tension and pain, and as an antitussive for irritable dry cough, its dried latex (lactucarium) once used as a milder, non-addictive alternative to opium.[11]
Preparations
Dried leaf extract standardised to caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid/cynarin) content, taken as capsules or tablets for digestive and lipid support.
Dosage
Clinical studies commonly use extracts providing around 300-640 mg dried leaf extract, up to three times daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Because of documented overdose toxicity (rapid heartbeat, heavy sedation, breathing difficulty), only conservative traditional herbal doses should be used and this herb should not be self-dosed at concentrated or extract strength without professional guidance. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
References & Sources
- Porro, C., Benameur, T., Cianciulli, A., Vacca, M. and others (2024) 'Functional and Therapeutic Potential of Cynara scolymus in Health Benefits', Nutrients, 16(6), pp. 872. doi:10.3390/nu16060872 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16060872 - Salekzamani, S., Ebrahimi-Mameghani, M. and Rezazadeh, K (2019) 'The antioxidant activity of artichoke (Cynara scolymus): A systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies', Phytotherapy Research, 33(1), pp. 55-71. doi:10.1002/ptr.6213 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6213 - Ben Salem, M., Affes, H., Ksouda, K., Dhouibi, R., Sahnoun, Z., Hammami, S. and Zeghal, K.M (2015) 'Pharmacological Studies of Artichoke Leaf Extract and Their Health Benefits', Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. doi:10.1007/s11130-015-0503-8 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-015-0503-8 - Gotardo, A.T., Mattos, M.I.S., Hueza, I.M. and Gorniak, S.L (2019) 'The effect of Cynara scolymus (artichoke) on maternal reproductive outcomes and fetal development in rats', Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 102, pp. 74-78. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2019.01.004 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2019.01.004 - Ben Salem, M., Affes, H., Dhouibi, R., Charfi, S. and others (2019) 'Preventive effect of Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) in kidney dysfunction against high fat-diet induced obesity in rats', Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry, 128(3), pp. 586-592. doi:10.1080/13813455.2019.1703755 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/13813455.2019.1703755 - Dominguez-Fernandez, M., Ludwig, I.A., De Pena, M.P. and Cid, C (2021) 'Bioaccessibility of Tudela artichoke (Cynara scolymus cv. Blanca de Tudela) (poly)phenols: the effects of heat treatment, simulated gastrointestinal digestion and human colonic microbiota', Food & Function, 12(5), pp. 1996-2011. doi:10.1039/d0fo03119d Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1039/d0fo03119d - Ahmadi, A., Heidarian, E. and Ghatreh-Samani, K (2019) 'Modulatory effects of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) leaf extract against oxidative stress and hepatic TNF-alpha gene expression in acute diazinon-induced liver injury in rats', Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 30(5), pp. 20180180. doi:10.1515/jbcpp-2018-0180 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2018-0180 - Grazina, L., Batista, A., Amaral, J.S., Costa, J. and Mafra, I (2021) 'Botanical authentication of globe artichoke-containing foods: Differentiation of Cynara scolymus by a novel HRM approach', Food Chemistry, 366, pp. 130621. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130621 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130621 - Sahebkar, A., Pirro, M., Banach, M., Mikhailidis, D.P., Atkin, S.L. and Cicero, A.F.G (2017) 'Lipid-lowering activity of artichoke extracts: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 58(15), pp. 2549-2556. doi:10.1080/10408398.2017.1332572 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2017.1332572 - Shahinfar, H., Bazshahi, E., Amini, M.R., Payandeh, N., Pourreza, S., Noruzi, Z. and Shab-Bidar, S (2021) 'Effects of artichoke leaf extract supplementation or artichoke juice consumption on lipid profile: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials', Phytotherapy Research, 35(12), pp. 6607-6623. doi:10.1002/ptr.7247 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7247 - Kamel, A.M. and Farag, M.A (2022) 'Therapeutic Potential of Artichoke in the Treatment of Fatty Liver: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis', Journal of Medicinal Food, 25(10), pp. 931-942. doi:10.1089/jmf.2022.0025 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2022.0025 - Santos, H.O., Bueno, A.A. and Mota, J.F (2018) 'The effect of artichoke on lipid profile: A review of possible mechanisms of action', Pharmacological Research, 137, pp. 170-178. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2018.10.007 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2018.10.007 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'European Union herbal monograph on Cynara cardunculus L. (syn. Cynara scolymus L.), folium (Cynarae folium)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/cynarae-folium Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/cynarae-folium - Wider, B., Pittler, M.H., Thompson-Coon, J. and Ernst, E (2013) 'Artichoke leaf extract for treating hypercholesterolaemia', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003335.pub3 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003335.pub3 - Rondanelli, M., Giacosa, A., Opizzi, A., Faliva, M.A., Sala, P. and others (2012) 'Beneficial effects of artichoke leaf extract supplementation on increasing HDL-cholesterol in subjects with primary mild hypercholesterolaemia: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial', International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 64(1), pp. 7--15. doi:10.3109/09637486.2012.700920 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3109/09637486.2012.700920
- Ullah, M.I., Anwar, R., Kamran, S., Gul, B. et al (2022) 'Evaluation of the Anxiolytic and Anti-Epileptogenic Potential of Lactuca serriola Seed Using Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Kindling in Mice and Metabolic Profiling of Its Bioactive Extract', Antioxidants (Basel), 11(11), pp. 2232. doi:10.3390/antiox11112232 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11112232 - Lee, M., Park, J., Cho, W., Jun, Y. et al (2024) 'Lactuca L. Extract Enhances Sleep Duration Through Upregulation of Adenosine A1 Receptor and GABA-A Receptor Subunits in Pentobarbital-Injected Mice', Journal of Medicinal Food, 27(7), pp. 661-668. doi:10.1089/jmf.2023.K.0250 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2023.K.0250 - Paulsen, E. and Andersen, K.E (2015) 'Lettuce contact allergy', Contact Dermatitis, 74(2), pp. 67-75. doi:10.1111/cod.12458 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.12458 - Wesolowska, A., Nikiforuk, A., Michalska, K., Kisiel, W. and Chojnacka-Wojcik, E (2006) 'Analgesic and sedative activities of lactucin and some lactucin-like guaianolides in mice', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 107(2), pp. 254--258. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2006.03.003 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2006.03.003 - Gumprecht, T (1815) 'On the use of the Lactuca Virosa, in Hooping-Cough', Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, 6, pp. 608-617. doi:10.1177/095952871500600125 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1177/095952871500600125 - Trojanowska, A (2005) 'Lettuce, Lactuca sp., as a medicinal plant in Polish publications of the 19th century', Kwartalnik Historii Nauki i Techniki, 50(3-4), pp. 123-134. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Lettuce%2C%20Lactuca%20sp.%2C%20as%20a%20medicinal%20plant%20in%20Polish%20publications%20of%20the%2019th%20century - Spadari, M., Pommier, P., Canioni, D., Arditti, J., David, J.M. and Valli, M (2003) 'Abuse of Lactuca virosa', Presse Medicale, 32(15), pp. 702-703. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Abuse%20of%20Lactuca%20virosa - Lo Faro, A.F., Di Trana, A., La Maida, N., Tagliabracci, A., Giorgetti, R. and Busardo, F.P (2019) 'Biomedical analysis of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) of natural origin', Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 179, pp. 112945. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2019.112945 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2019.112945 - Besharat, S., Besharat, M. and Jabbari, A (2009) 'Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa) toxicity', BMJ Case Reports, 2009, pp. bcr0620080134. doi:10.1136/bcr.06.2008.0134 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr.06.2008.0134 - Stojakowska, A., Malarz, J. and Kisiel, W (1994) 'Sesquiterpene Lactones in Tissue Culture of Lactuca virosa', Planta Medica, 60(1), pp. 93-94. doi:10.1055/s-2006-959419 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-959419 - Herbal Reality (n.d.) 'Wild Lettuce (Lactuca virosa): Benefits, Uses, Safety'. Available at: https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/wild-lettuce/ Traditional / reference
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/wild-lettuce/ - RxList (n.d.) 'Wild Lettuce: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions'. Available at: https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/wild_lettuce.htm Traditional / reference
https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/wild_lettuce.htm - 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
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.