Plant Comparison
Dropwort vs Clove
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
Dropwort and Clove: they share 7 indicated uses (cancer (anticancer research), inflammation (general), pain (general), …); 5 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Dropwort | Clove | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Pain (general) | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Arthritis / joint pain | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Indigestion | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Wounds | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Infection (general) | 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
Flavonol glycosides including spiraeoside (quercetin 4'-O-glucoside), hyperoside, rutin and kaempferol derivatives - the signature Filipendula flavonoids.
Ellagitannins and gallotannins (astringent constituents), giving the traditional astringent/antidiarrhoeal action.
Gallic, caffeic, chlorogenic and ferulic acids; antioxidant.
Catechin-based condensed tannins.
Eugenol typically makes up the great majority of clove oil and is responsible for most of its analgesic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity.
Pharmacological Actions
Antihyperalgesic in a rat inflammatory-pain model (salicylate-mediated).
Traditional use for rheumatic/arthritic pain, consistent with salicylate content and analgesic/anti-inflammatory activity.
Protective against carbon-tetrachloride liver injury in rats.
Hydrolysable-tannin astringency underlying traditional antidiarrhoeal and wound/gargle use.
Nootropic and brain-bioenergetic effects in animal models (Russian traditional nervous-system use).
Dropwort extract restrained the YAP/TAZ/TEAD oncogenic axis in mesothelioma (preclinical).
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from anti-rheumatic / analgesic action (salicylates)
inferred from astringent (tannin) action and traditional use
inferred from astringent/antimicrobial action and traditional wound-wash use
inferred from antimicrobial action
Nootropic (cognition-enhancing) activity in animals.
inferred from nootropic/neuroprotective action
inferred from traditional kidney/bladder 'gravel' use
inferred from traditional urinary/gravel use
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Dropwort contains salicylate compounds (salicylaldehyde, methyl salicylate), as in meadowsweet and willow. Avoid in salicylate or aspirin sensitivity, and use caution alongside anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines. As with other salicylate-containing plants, avoid in children with viral illness (theoretical Reye's syndrome risk).
Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established; avoid medicinal doses during pregnancy and lactation.
Strong and concentrated: Clove oil is very potent and should always be diluted before skin or mouth use.Dental use: Undiluted clove oil can burn gums or skin.Blood thinning: Clove may increase bleeding risk in large amounts or with anticoagulants.Pregnancy: Culinary amounts are fine; medicinal doses should be used cautiously.Children: Essential oil should be used with extra caution and diluted well.
Duke (2002) rates cloves as +++ with clinical evidence (score 2) for analgesic activity — specifically, topical application of clove oil (eugenol) for dental pain is clinically validated. The plant also shows strong antimicrobial, antifungal (anti-Candida), antispasmodic, and antiviral activities at the experimental level. Commission E approves topical clove preparations for dental pain. Recommended dose: 1–5% clove oil preparation (topical) or 150 mg clove powder internally. The essential oil is irritating to mucous membranes and should not be applied undiluted to skin or mucous membranes (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Synonyms
Not documented
Botanical Description
Erect perennial herb of the rose family, 20-80 cm tall, growing from a short rootstock whose fibrous roots bear characteristic small tuber-like swellings (the 'drop-wort' beads). The leaves are mostly in a basal rosette and are distinctive: long, fern-like and interruptedly pinnate, with many (up to 20+ pairs) small, deeply toothed leaflets. Small creamy-white flowers, often pink-tinged in bud and 6-petalled, are borne in an irregular terminal cyme. Unlike its sibling meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) of wet ground, dropwort grows in dry calcareous grassland.[1, 6]
Evergreen tree (Myrtaceae), 8-12 m tall (occasionally to 20 m), with a pyramidal crown. Leaves are glossy, elliptical and aromatic. Small crimson flowers are borne in terminal clusters; the unopened flower buds, picked before they open and dried, are the 'cloves' of commerce and the medicinal/culinary part used.[2]
Habitat
Dry, unimproved calcareous (chalk and limestone) grassland, meadows, roadside banks and open scrub. Native across most of Europe, western Asia and North Africa. Unlike meadowsweet (F. ulmaria), which grows in wet meadows and beside water, dropwort is a plant of dry ground.[1]
Native to the Maluku Islands (Moluccas, the historic 'Spice Islands') of Indonesia, now cultivated throughout the tropics, notably Zanzibar, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, in warm, humid, well-drained tropical conditions.[2]
Harvesting
The flowering tops and aerial parts are gathered in summer while in flower; the fern-like leaves and the small root tubers are also used. The material is dried for infusions and decoctions.[2]
Unopened flower buds are hand-picked while still green-pink, just before they would open, then sun-dried until they turn dark reddish-brown - the familiar clove spice.[2]
Traditional Uses
Dropwort shares much of the European folk-medicine history of its sibling meadowsweet. The salicylate- and tannin-rich herb has been used as an astringent and anti-inflammatory remedy for diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal complaints, for rheumatic and arthritic pain, for kidney and bladder 'gravel' and urinary complaints, and as a wound and mouth wash. In Serbian and Balkan ethnomedicine the flowers and roots are used; Russian traditional medicine uses dropwort extracts as a nootropic and calming remedy for the nervous system.[2, 12, 15]
Clove has an ancient trade history and a long traditional use across Asian, African and European medicine as a dental analgesic (chewed or applied as oil for toothache), a digestive carminative, and an antiseptic. Modern research on its principal constituent eugenol supports strong analgesic, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, with clove oil remaining a recognised topical dental-pain remedy.[2]
Preparations
Dried flowering tops or leaves infused as an astringent, anti-inflammatory tea for digestive and rheumatic complaints.
The root and root-tubers decocted; used traditionally for diarrhoea and urinary 'gravel'.
The flowers yield an aromatic oil dominated by salicylaldehyde with antimicrobial activity (as in meadowsweet).
References
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
Pairings
Sibling species: both are salicylate- and tannin-rich Rosaceae with overlapping anti-inflammatory, analgesic, astringent and gastroprotective uses (dropwort of dry grassland, meadowsweet of wet meadows); studied together in the same trials.[2, 3]
Both are salicylate-containing anti-inflammatory and analgesic herbs (the classic plant-aspirin group), traditionally combined for rheumatic pain and fever.[10]
Rosaceae astringents rich in hydrolysable tannins, traditionally used for diarrhoea and as gargles; studied together for antioxidant and genotoxicity profile.[16]
Not documented
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
Dosage
References & Sources
- Katanic, J. and Pferschy-Wenzig, E. and Mihailovic, V. and Boroja, T. and Pan, S. and Nikles, S. and Kretschmer, N. and Rosic, G. and Selakovic, D. and Joksimovic, J. and Bauer, R (2018) 'Phytochemical analysis and anti-inflammatory effects of Filipendula vulgaris Moench extracts', Food and Chemical Toxicology, 122, pp. 151-162. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2018.10.001 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2018.10.001 - Samardzic, S. and Arsenijevic, J. and Bozic, D. and Milenkovic, M. and Tesevic, V. and Maksimovic, Z (2018) 'Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activity of Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. and Filipendula vulgaris Moench', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 213, pp. 132-137. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.11.013 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2017.11.013 - Samardzic, S. and Tomic, M. and Pecikoza, U. and Stepanovic-Petrovic, R. and Maksimovic, Z (2016) 'Antihyperalgesic activity of Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. and Filipendula vulgaris Moench in a rat model of inflammation', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 193, pp. 652-656. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.10.024 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.10.024 - Maksimovic, Z. and Petrovic, S. and Pavlovic, M. and Kovacevic, N. and Kukic, J (2007) 'Antioxidant activity of Filipendula hexapetala flowers', Fitoterapia, 78(3), pp. 265-267. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2007.01.004 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2007.01.004 - Cebovic, T. and Maksimovic, Z (2011) 'Hepatoprotective effect of Filipendula hexapetala Gilib. (Rosaceae) in carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats', Phytotherapy Research, 26(7), pp. 1088-1091. doi:10.1002/ptr.3703 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3703 - Katanic, J. and Mihailovic, V. and Stankovic, N. and Boroja, T. and Mladenovic, M. and Solujic, S. and Stankovic, M.S. and Vrvic, M.M (2015) 'Dropwort (Filipendula hexapetala Gilib.): potential role as antioxidant and antimicrobial agent', EXCLI Journal, 14, pp. 1-20. doi:10.17179/excli2014-479 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2014-479 - Matic, S. and Katanic, J. and Stanic, S. and Mladenovic, M. and Stankovic, N. and Mihailovic, V. and Boroja, T (2015) 'In vitro and in vivo assessment of the genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity of the Filipendula hexapetala and Filipendula ulmaria methanol extracts', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 174, pp. 287-292. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.08.025 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.08.025 - Bousetla, A. and Erol, E. and Benarous, K. and Topcu, G. and Laouer, H. and Akkal, S. and Boulebd, H (2025) 'LC-HRESIMS-Guided Phytochemical Characterization and Bioactivity Evaluation of Filipendula hexapetala Gilib. From Algeria: Antioxidant and Anticholinesterase Potential', Chemistry and Biodiversity, 22(11), pp. e01270. doi:10.1002/cbdv.202501270 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202501270 - Fandakli, S. and Korkmaz, B. and Faiz, O. and Kilic, G. and Erik, I. and Terzioglu, S. and Yayli, N (2021) 'Chemical Variation, Antimicrobial, Nitric Oxide Scavenging Activities and Tyrosinase Inhibition of Essential Oils and Solvent Extracts from Filipendula vulgaris Moench Growing in Turkey', Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 20(3), pp. 110-120. doi:10.22037/ijpr.2021.114302.14786 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijpr.2021.114302.14786 - Radulovic, N. and Misic, M. and Aleksic, J. and Dokovic, D. and Palic, R. and Stojanovic, G (2007) 'Antimicrobial synergism and antagonism of salicylaldehyde in Filipendula vulgaris essential oil', Fitoterapia, 78(7-8), pp. 565-570. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2007.03.022 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2007.03.022 - Pulito, C. and Korita, E. and Sacconi, A. and Valerio, M. and Casadei, L. and Lo Sardo, F. and Mori, F. and Ferraiuolo, M. and Grasso, G. and Maidecchi, A. and Lucci, J. and Sudol, M. and Muti, P. and Blandino, G. and Strano, S (2019) 'Dropwort-induced metabolic reprogramming restrains YAP/TAZ/TEAD oncogenic axis in mesothelioma', Journal of Experimental and Clinical Cancer Research, 38(1), pp. 349. doi:10.1186/s13046-019-1352-3 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-019-1352-3 - Shilova, I.V. and Suslov, N.I (2015) 'Nootropic effect of meadowsweet (Filipendula vulgaris) extracts', Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 158(5), pp. 659-663. doi:10.1007/s10517-015-2841-9 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-015-2841-9 - Shilova, I.V. and Suslov, N.I. and Amelchenko, V.P (2015) 'Nootropic Effects of Filipendula vulgaris Moench Water Extract Fractions', Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 159(3), pp. 376-379. doi:10.1007/s10517-015-2967-9 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-015-2967-9 - Vengerovsky, A.I. and Suslov, N.I. and Kaygorodsev, A.V (2011) 'Effect of meadowsweet (Filipendula vulgaris) extract on bioenergetics of the brain during experimental posthypoxic encephalopathy', Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 151(4), pp. 421-424. doi:10.1007/s10517-011-1346-4 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-011-1346-4 - Vengerovskii, A.I. and Suslov, N.I. and Kaigorodtsev, A.V (2011) 'Correction of experimental anxiety behavior by meadowsweet (Filipendula vulgaris) extracts', Eksperimental'naia i Klinicheskaia Farmakologiia, 74(9), pp. 3-6. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Correction%20of%20experimental%20anxiety%20behavior%20by%20meadowsweet%20%28Filipendula%20vulgaris%29%20extracts - Pukalskiene, M. and Slapsyte, G. and Dedonyte, V. and Lazutka, J.R. and Mierauskiene, J. and Venskutonis, P.R (2017) 'Genotoxicity and antioxidant activity of five Agrimonia and Filipendula species plant extracts evaluated by comet and micronucleus assays in human lymphocytes and Ames Salmonella/microsome test', Food and Chemical Toxicology, 113, pp. 303-313. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2017.12.031 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2017.12.031 - Mitchell, M.I. and Routledge, P.A (1978) 'Hemlock water dropwort poisoning - a review', Clinical Toxicology, 12(4), pp. 417-26. doi:10.3109/15563657809150012 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.3109/15563657809150012
- Haro-Gonzalez, J.N., Castillo-Herrera, G.A., Martinez-Velazquez, M. and Espinosa-Andrews, H (2021) 'Clove Essential Oil (Syzygium aromaticum L. Myrtaceae): Extraction, Chemical Composition, Food Applications, and Essential Bioactivity for Human Health', Molecules, 26(21), pp. 6387. doi:10.3390/molecules26216387 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26216387 - Batiha, G.E., Alkazmi, L.M., Wasef, L.G., Beshbishy, A.M. and others (2020) 'Syzygium aromaticum L. (Myrtaceae): Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities', Biomolecules, 10(2), pp. 202. doi:10.3390/biom10020202 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/biom10020202 - Vicidomini, C., Roviello, V. and Roviello, G.N (2021) 'Molecular Basis of the Therapeutical Potential of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) and Clues to Its Anti-COVID-19 Utility', Molecules, 26(7), pp. 1880. doi:10.3390/molecules26071880 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26071880 - Irahal, I.N., Guenaou, I., Lahlou, F.A., Hmimid, F. and others (2022) 'Syzygium aromaticum bud (clove) essential oil is a novel and safe aldose reductase inhibitor: in silico, in vitro, and in vivo evidence', Hormones (Athens), 21(2), pp. 229-240. doi:10.1007/s42000-021-00347-6 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42000-021-00347-6 - Yassin, M.T., Mostafa, A.A. and Al-Askar, A.A (2020) 'In vitro anticandidal potency of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) extracts against vaginal candidiasis', BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 20(1), pp. 25. doi:10.1186/s12906-020-2818-8 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-2818-8 - Kiki, M.J (2023) 'In Vitro Antiviral Potential, Antioxidant, and Chemical Composition of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) Essential Oil', Molecules, 28(6), pp. 2421. doi:10.3390/molecules28062421 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062421 - Radunz, M., da Trindade, M.L.M., Camargo, T.M., Radunz, A.L. and others (2019) 'Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of unencapsulated and encapsulated clove (Syzygium aromaticum, L.) essential oil', Food Chemistry, 276, pp. 180-186. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.09.173 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.09.173 - Shakeel, F., Alam, P., Ali, A., Alqarni, M.H. and others (2021) 'Investigating Antiarthritic Potential of Nanostructured Clove Oil (Syzygium aromaticum) in FCA-Induced Arthritic Rats: Pharmaceutical Action and Delivery Strategies', Molecules, 26(23), pp. 7327. doi:10.3390/molecules26237327 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237327 - Tu, Z., Moss-Pierce, T., Ford, P. and Jiang, T.A (2014) 'Syzygium aromaticum L. (Clove) extract regulates energy metabolism in myocytes', Journal of Medicinal Food, 17(9), pp. 1003-1010. doi:10.1089/jmf.2013.0175 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2013.0175 - Banerjee, S., Panda, C.K. and Das, S (2006) 'Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.), a potential chemopreventive agent for lung cancer', Carcinogenesis, 27(8), pp. 1645-1654. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgi372 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/bgi372 - Bhowmik, D., Kumar, K.P.S., Yadav, A., Srivastava, S., Paswan, S. and Dutta, A.S (2012) 'Recent trends in Indian traditional herbs Syzygium aromaticum and its health benefits', 1(1), pp. 13--23. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Recent%20trends%20in%20Indian%20traditional%20herbs%20Syzygium%20aromaticum%20and%20its%20health%20benefits - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - World Health Organization (2002) 'WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=WHO%20Monographs%20on%20Selected%20Medicinal%20Plants - 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.