Plant Comparison
Bay-leaf willowherb vs Cleavers
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
Bay-leaf willowherb and Cleavers: they share 6 indicated uses (cancer (anticancer research), infection (general), skin irritation, …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Bay-leaf willowherb | Cleavers | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Infection (general) | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Urinary support | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Bay-leaf willowherb |
| Urinary tract infection (UTI) | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Bay-leaf willowherb |
| Wounds | 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
Characteristic Epilobium polyphenols underlying the anti-inflammatory and prostate activity; a genus review identifies oenothein B as the dominant constituent and likely driver of the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and antioxidant effects.
Antioxidant constituents.
Sterols associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia support.
Characteristic Rubiaceae iridoids shared with related bedstraws, contributing to the plant's traditional activity.
Antioxidant constituents supporting the plant's antimicrobial and wound-healing activity.
Astringent constituents contributing to the traditional topical use for skin and wounds.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Supports lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate support) - a genus Epilobium review notes traditional BPH use attributed mainly to oenothein B, though clinical evidence is not yet conclusive
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Antibacterial, including against Escherichia coli (urinary support); Supports lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate support) - a genus Epilobium review notes traditional BPH use attributed mainly to oenothein B, though clinical evidence is not yet conclusive
Supports lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate support) - a genus Epilobium review notes traditional BPH use attributed mainly to oenothein B, though clinical evidence is not yet conclusive
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from emollient action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from diuretic action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Lower urinary tract / prostate symptoms must be medically assessed first to exclude prostate cancer; willowherb is a supportive measure, not a substitute for diagnosis and treatment.
Well tolerated over three months in clinical use; longer-term safety data are limited.
Duke (2002) describes cleavers as a diuretic, lymph tonic, and depurative with experimental support (score 1). The plant has been used in traditional medicine for swollen lymph nodes, urinary complaints, and skin conditions. Diuretic and anti-inflammatory activities are supported experimentally. No Commission E approval. Safety rating is ++ (relatively safe), with no known significant contraindications at usual herbal doses (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Slender, softly hairy perennial herb with narrow, lance-shaped leaves and small, four-petalled, pale pink to lilac flowers with a notched tip, borne singly in the upper leaf axils. After flowering, long, narrow seed pods split to release cottony-tufted seeds, typical of the willowherb genus.[13]
Scrambling, sprawling annual herb covered in tiny hooked bristles on its square stems, leaves and seed capsules, allowing it to cling to clothing, fur and neighbouring plants as it climbs ('stickyweed'). The leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, borne in whorls of six to eight. Tiny white, four-petalled flowers give way to small, round, bristly-hooked twin seed capsules ('goosegrass burrs').[6]
Habitat
Grows in damp meadows, ditches, streamsides and waste ground on moist soils; native to Europe and temperate Asia.[13]
A common scrambling weed of hedgerows, waste ground, gardens and field margins, climbing over other vegetation for support; native to Europe, Asia and North Africa and widely naturalised elsewhere.[6]
Harvesting
The flowering aerial parts are cut in summer while in flower, and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.[13]
The whole aerial plant (leaf, stem and seed) is cut in spring to early summer, before the fruit fully hardens, and used fresh (as juice) or dried.
Traditional Uses
Small-flowered willowherb, along with related Epilobium species, has a Central European folk tradition as a supportive remedy for lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis, and as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory herb for minor infections; the traditional prostate-support use is attributed mainly to its oenothein B content, though robust clinical evidence remains limited.[13]
Cleavers has a long European folk history as a lymphatic and diuretic 'spring tonic' herb, traditionally used to support the urinary system and lymphatic drainage, and topically as a soothing, emollient wash or poultice for skin irritation, wounds and minor swellings.[6]
Preparations
Dried flowering herb infused in hot water as a traditional urinary and prostate-support tea.
Dosage
The EU herbal monograph gives 1.5-2.0 g of the comminuted herb in 250 mL of boiling water as an infusion, twice daily, in adults and elderly; long-term use is possible. Lower urinary tract or prostate symptoms should always be medically assessed first, and the monograph directs that a doctor be consulted if fever, spasms, blood in the urine, painful urination or urinary retention occur. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Not documented
References
Lookalikes Review
References & Sources
- Vitalone, A. and Allkanjari, O (2018) 'Epilobium spp: Pharmacology and Phytochemistry', Phytotherapy Research, 32(7), pp. 1229-1240. doi:10.1002/ptr.6072 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6072 - Cicero, A.F.G., Allkanjari, O., Busetto, G.M., Cai, T. et al (2019) 'Nutraceutical treatment and prevention of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer', Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia, 91(3), pp. 139-152. doi:10.4081/aiua.2019.3.139 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2019.3.139 - Vlase, A.M., Toiu, A., Gligor, O., Muntean, D. et al (2024) 'Investigation of Epilobium hirsutum L. Optimized Extract's Anti-Inflammatory and Antitumor Potential', Plants (Basel), 13(2), pp. 198. doi:10.3390/plants13020198 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13020198 - Granica, S., Piwowarski, J.P., Czerwinska, M.E. and Kiss, A.K (2014) 'Phytochemistry, pharmacology and traditional uses of different Epilobium species (Onagraceae): a review', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 316--346. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2014.08.036 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.08.036 - Ramstead, A.G., Schepetkin, I.A., Quinn, M.T. and Jutila, M.A (2012) 'Oenothein B, a cyclic dimeric ellagitannin isolated from Epilobium angustifolium, enhances IFN-gamma production by lymphocytes', PLoS One, 7(11), pp. e50546. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0050546 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0050546 - Kiss, A.K., Bazylko, A., Filipek, A., Granica, S., Jaszewska, E., Kiarszys, U., Kosmider, A. and Piwowarski, J (2011) 'Oenothein B's contribution to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of Epilobium sp', Phytomedicine, 18(7), pp. 557-560. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2010.10.016 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2010.10.016 - Schepetkin, I.A., Kirpotina, L.N., Jakiw, L., Khlebnikov, A.I., Blaskovich, C.L., Jutila, M.A. and Quinn, M.T (2009) 'Immunomodulatory activity of oenothein B isolated from Epilobium angustifolium', Journal of Immunology, 183(10), pp. 6754-6766. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.0901827 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.0901827 - Ducrey, B., Marston, A., Gohring, S., Hartmann, R.W. and Hostettmann, K (1997) 'Inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase and aromatase by the ellagitannins oenothein A and oenothein B from Epilobium species', Planta Medica, 63(2), pp. 111-114. doi:10.1055/s-2006-957624 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-957624 - Schepetkin, I.A., Ramstead, A.G., Kirpotina, L.N., Voyich, J.M., Jutila, M.A. and Quinn, M.T (2016) 'Therapeutic potential of polyphenols from Epilobium angustifolium (fireweed)', Phytotherapy Research, 30(8), pp. 1287-1297. doi:10.1002/ptr.5648 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5648 - Merighi, S., Travagli, A., Tedeschi, P., Marchetti, N. and Gessi, S (2021) 'Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Epilobium parviflorum, Melilotus officinalis and Cardiospermum halicacabum plant extracts in macrophage and microglial cells', Cells, 10(10), pp. 2691. doi:10.3390/cells10102691 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10102691 - Hevesi Toth, B., Blazics, B. and Kery, A (2009) 'Polyphenol composition and antioxidant capacity of Epilobium species', Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 49(1), pp. 26-31. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2008.09.047 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2008.09.047 - Vitalone, A., McColl, J., Thome, D., Costa, L.G. and Tita, B (2003) 'Characterization of the effect of Epilobium extracts on human cell proliferation', Pharmacology, 69(2), pp. 79-87. doi:10.1159/000072360 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1159/000072360 - Steenkamp, V., Gouws, M.C., Gulumian, M., Elgorashi, E.E. and van Staden, J (2005) 'Studies on antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of herbal remedies used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 2005. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.07.007 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2005.07.007 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2015) 'European Union herbal monograph on Epilobium angustifolium L. and/or Epilobium parviflorum Schreb., herba'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-epilobium-angustifolium-l-andor-epilobium-parviflorum-schreb-herba_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-epilobium-angustifolium-l-andor-epilobium-parviflorum-schreb-herba_en.pdf - Coulson, S., Rao, A., Beck, S.L., Steels, E., Gramotnev, H. and Vitetta, L (2013) 'A phase II randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the efficacy and safety of ProstateEZE Max: a herbal medicine preparation (containing Epilobium parviflorum) for the management of symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy', Complementary Therapies in Medicine. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2013.01.007 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2013.01.007
- Laanet, P.R., Saar-Reismaa, P., Jõul, P., Bragina, O. and Vaher, M (2023) 'Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity of Selected Estonian Galium Species', Molecules, 28(6), pp. 2867. doi:10.3390/molecules28062867 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062867 - Antoniak, K., Studzińska-Sroka, E., Szymański, M., Dudek-Makuch, M. et al (2023) 'Antiangiogenic, Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Bidens tripartita Herb, Galium verum Herb and Rumex hydrolapathum Root', Molecules, 28(13), pp. 4966. doi:10.3390/molecules28134966 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28134966 - Razzivina, V., Vasiljeva, A., Kronberga, A., Skudrins, G. et al (2024) 'Phenolic Content and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Cultivated and Wild-Type Galium odoratum Extracts in Murine Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages', Antioxidants (Basel), 13(12), pp. 1447. doi:10.3390/antiox13121447 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13121447 - Sahin, B., Karabulut, S., Filiz, A.K., Ozkaraca, M., Gezer, A. and Akpulat, H.A (2022) 'Galium aparine L. protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats', Chemico-Biological Interactions, 366, pp. 110119. doi:10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110119 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110119 - Lee, S.Y., Park, S.Y. and Park, H.J (2024) 'Immuno-Enhancing Effects of Galium aparine L. in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Animal Models', Nutrients, 16(5), pp. 597. doi:10.3390/nu16050597 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16050597 - Beirami, A.D., Akhtari, N., Noroozi, R., Hatamabadi, D., Hasan, S.M.F. and Ayatollahi, S.A (2024) 'Bringing back Galium aparine L. from forgotten corners of traditional wound treatment procedures: an antimicrobial, antioxidant, and in-vitro wound healing assay along with HPTLC fingerprinting study', BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 24(1), pp. 279. doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04355-y Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04355-y - Ilina, T., Kashpur, N., Granica, S., Bazylko, A., Shinkovenko, I. and Kovalyova, A (2019) 'Phytochemical Profiles and In Vitro Immunomodulatory Activity of Ethanolic Extracts from Galium aparine L', Plants, 8(12), pp. 541. doi:10.3390/plants8120541 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8120541 - Atmaca, H., Bozkurt, E., Cittan, M. and Dilek Tepe, H (2016) 'Effects of Galium aparine extract on the cell viability, cell cycle and cell death in breast cancer cell lines', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 186, pp. 305-310. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.04.007 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.04.007 - Bokhari, J., Khan, M.R., Shabbir, M., Rashid, U., Jan, S. and Zai, J.A (2012) 'Evaluation of diverse antioxidant activities of Galium aparine', Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 102, pp. 24-29. doi:10.1016/j.saa.2012.09.056 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2012.09.056 - Shi, G., Liu, J., Zhao, W., Liu, Y. and Tian, X (2016) 'Separation and purification and in vitro anti-proliferative activity of leukemia cell K562 of Galium aparine L. petroleum ether phase', Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 24(3), pp. 241-247. doi:10.1016/j.jsps.2016.04.005 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2016.04.005 - Quinlan, F.J (1883) 'Galium Aparine as a Remedy for Chronic Ulcers', British Medical Journal, 1(1172), pp. 1173-1174. doi:10.1136/bmj.1.1172.1173 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.1.1172.1173 - British Herbal Medicine Association (1983) 'British Herbal Pharmacopoeia'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=British%20Herbal%20Pharmacopoeia - Hoffmann, D (2003) 'Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Medical%20Herbalism%3A%20The%20Science%20and%20Practice%20of%20Herbal%20Medicine - 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
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.