Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Licorice root vs Elecampane
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
Licorice root and Elecampane: they share 8 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bronchitis, cough, …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Licorice root | Elecampane | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Bronchitis | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cough | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Infection (general) | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Respiratory support | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Wounds | 1/10 | 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
The principal sweet-tasting compound, about 50 times sweeter than sucrose; responsible for the anti-inflammatory, antiviral and gastroprotective activity and also for the pseudoaldosteronism risk on prolonged high-dose use.
Antioxidant and antimicrobial polyphenols, including the skin-lightening compound glabridin.
Minor supporting constituents of the root.
The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory principles of the root; the eudesmane core and the alpha,beta-methylene-lactone ring are essential for the antimicrobial activity.
A fructan polysaccharide abundant in the root (the genus Inula gives inulin its name).
Pharmacological Actions
Anti-inflammatory - sesquiterpene lactones (alantolactone, isoalantolactone) inhibit NF-kB and MAPK signalling and pro-inflammatory cytokines; total sesquiterpene lactones eased arthritis in animal models (potential in rheumatoid arthritis)
Antimicrobial, notably anti-staphylococcal (membrane-damaging) and anti-mycobacterial (active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro); supports respiratory and skin infection
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from gastroprotective action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from expectorant action
inferred from gastroprotective action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from expectorant action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Anti-inflammatory - sesquiterpene lactones (alantolactone, isoalantolactone) inhibit NF-kB and MAPK signalling and pro-inflammatory cytokines; total sesquiterpene lactones eased arthritis in animal models (potential in rheumatoid arthritis)
Expectorant for productive cough and bronchitis (long-standing respiratory remedy)
inferred from anticancer action
Expectorant for productive cough and bronchitis (long-standing respiratory remedy); Soothes irritated airways / chronic catarrh (traditional)
Antimicrobial, notably anti-staphylococcal (membrane-damaging) and anti-mycobacterial (active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro); supports respiratory and skin infection
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from expectorant action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Avoid prolonged use of whole licorice root in large doses. May cause pseudoaldosteronism (hypertension, oedema, hypokalaemia). Contraindicated in hypertension, renal failure, liver disease, hypokalaemia, and pregnancy. DGL form is safer for prolonged gastric use. Interactions with antihypertensives, diuretics, and corticosteroids.
Duke (2002) rates licorice as ++ and documents extensive activities. Glycyrrhizin (the key compound) has anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antiviral, and adrenal-stimulant properties. Duke highlights an important safety concern: chronic use of licorice can cause pseudoaldosteronism — sodium retention, potassium loss, edema, and hypertension — due to glycyrrhizin's inhibition of cortisol metabolism. This effect is typically seen with >50 g licorice/day for more than 6 weeks. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) avoids this side effect. Dose: 5–15 g dried root daily. Contraindicated in hypertension, kidney disease, low potassium, liver cirrhosis, and in combination with diuretics or corticosteroids (Duke, 2002).
The sesquiterpene lactones (especially alantolactone) are known skin sensitisers and can cause allergic contact dermatitis; people sensitive to the daisy family (Asteraceae) should be cautious.
Large doses can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea; safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established, so avoid medicinal doses.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Herbaceous perennial legume with pinnately compound leaves of small, oval, slightly sticky leaflets. Pale blue-violet to lilac pea-like flowers are borne in loose spikes, followed by small, flattened, oblong pods. The sweet-tasting rhizome and root system, brownish-grey outside and bright yellow inside, is the medicinal part, spreading extensively underground via stolons.[1]
Tall, robust perennial herb with large, coarse, hairy leaves - broadly oval near the base and progressively smaller up the stem - arising from a thick, aromatic rhizome. Large, shaggy, bright yellow daisy-like flower heads with numerous narrow ray florets are borne at the top of stout, branching stems.[12]
Habitat
Grows in dry, sunny, deep-soiled sites, riverbanks and open scrub; native to the Mediterranean region and Western to Central Asia, and cultivated widely for its root.[1]
Grows in damp meadows, pastures, roadsides and woodland margins on moist, rich soils; native to Europe and Western Asia and naturalised in North America.[12]
Harvesting
The root and rhizome are dug in autumn from plants at least three to four years old, when glycyrrhizin content is highest, then cleaned and dried; sold whole, cut, or as processed extract.[1]
The root and rhizome are dug in autumn of the second or later year, when sesquiterpene lactone and inulin content is highest, then cleaned, sliced and dried.[12]
Traditional Uses
Licorice root is one of the oldest and most widely used herbs in the world, with a documented history across Chinese, Ayurvedic, Greek and European traditional medicine as a soothing demulcent and expectorant for coughs and sore throat, a gastroprotective remedy for stomach discomfort and ulcers, and a harmonising, sweetening addition to herbal formulas.[1]
Elecampane root has a long European tradition, reflected in the old name 'elf dock', as a warming expectorant remedy for productive cough, bronchitis and chronic respiratory catarrh, and topically and internally as an antimicrobial for skin and wound infections.[12]
Preparations
Dried root simmered in water as a traditional expectorant and antimicrobial tea.
Dosage
The EU herbal monograph gives, for adults and elderly, 1.5-2 g of the comminuted root in 150 mL of boiling water as an infusion or decoction 2 to 4 times daily, taken one cup after meals; a soft extract (DER 1:0.4-0.5) at 32 mg 2-3 times daily, not exceeding 160 mg daily, is also listed. The monograph directs that it is NOT to be used for more than 4 weeks, and is not recommended under 18 years - the duration limit matters because prolonged licorice use causes pseudoaldosteronism (sodium and water retention, potassium loss, raised blood pressure). Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is preferred where prolonged use is intended. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Not documented
References
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
Lookalikes Review
References & Sources
- Pastorino, G., Cornara, L., Soares, S., Rodrigues, F. and Oliveira, M.B.P.P (2018) 'Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): A phytochemical and pharmacological review', Phytotherapy Research, 32(12), pp. 2323-2339. doi:10.1002/ptr.6178 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6178 - Nazari, S., Rameshrad, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2017) 'Toxicological Effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice): A Review', Phytotherapy Research, 31(11), pp. 1635-1650. doi:10.1002/ptr.5893 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5893 - El-Saber Batiha, G., Magdy Beshbishy, A., El-Mleeh, A., Abdel-Daim, M.M. and Prasad Devkota, H (2020) 'Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, and Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae)', Biomolecules, 10(3), pp. 352. doi:10.3390/biom10030352 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/biom10030352 - Wahab, S., Annadurai, S., Abullais, S.S., Das, G., Ahmad, W., Ahmad, M.F., Kandasamy, G., Vasudevan, R., Ali, M.S. and Amir, M (2021) 'Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice): a comprehensive review on its phytochemistry, biological activities, clinical evidence and toxicology', Plants, 10(12), pp. 2751. doi:10.3390/plants10122751 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122751 - Markina, Y.V., Kirichenko, T.V., Markin, A.M., Yudina, I.Y., Starodubova, A.V., Sobenin, I.A. and Orekhov, A.N (2022) 'Atheroprotective effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra L', Molecules, 27(15), pp. 4697. doi:10.3390/molecules27154697 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27154697 - Jafari, F., Jafari, M., Moghadam, A.T., Emami, S.A., Jamialahmadi, T., Mohammadpour, A.H. and Sahebkar, A (2021) 'A review of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) effects on metabolic syndrome', Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1328, pp. 385-400. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-73234-9_25 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73234-9_25 - Schmid, C., Dawid, C., Peters, V. and Hofmann, T (2018) 'Saponins from European licorice roots (Glycyrrhiza glabra)', Journal of Natural Products, 81(8), pp. 1734-1744. doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00022 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00022 - Kalani, K., Chaturvedi, V., Alam, S., Khan, F. and Srivastava, S.K (2015) 'Anti-tubercular agents from Glycyrrhiza glabra', Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 15(11), pp. 1043-1049. doi:10.2174/1568026615666150317223323 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1568026615666150317223323 - Frattaruolo, L., Carullo, G., Brindisi, M., Mazzotta, S., Bellissimo, L., Rago, V., Curcio, R., Dolce, V., Aiello, F. and Cappello, A.R (2019) 'Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of flavanones from Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice) leaf phytocomplexes: identification of licoflavanone as a modulator of NF-kB/MAPK pathway', Antioxidants, 8(6), pp. 186. doi:10.3390/antiox8060186 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8060186 - Eltahir, A.O.E., Omoruyi, S.I., Augustine, T.N., Luckay, R.C. and Hussein, A.A (2024) 'Neuroprotective effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra total extract and isolated compounds', Pharmaceuticals, 17(7), pp. 852. doi:10.3390/ph17070852 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17070852 - Dastagir, G. and Rizvi, M.A (2016) 'Review - Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (liquorice)', Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 29(5), pp. 1727-1733. Meta-analysis / review
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Review%20-%20Glycyrrhiza%20glabra%20L.%20%28liquorice%29 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2013) 'Community herbal monograph on Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and/or Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat. and/or Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., radix'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-glycyrrhiza-glabra-l-andor-glycyrrhiza-inflata-bat-andor-glycyrrhiza-uralensis-fisch-radix-first-version_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-glycyrrhiza-glabra-l-andor-glycyrrhiza-inflata-bat-andor-glycyrrhiza-uralensis-fisch-radix-first-version_en.pdf - Asl, M.N. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2008) 'Review of pharmacological effects of Glycyrrhiza sp', 22(6), pp. 709--724. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Review%20of%20pharmacological%20effects%20of%20Glycyrrhiza%20sp. - Fiore, C. et al (2008) 'A history of the therapeutic use of liquorice in Europe', 99(3), pp. 317--324. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.04.015 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2005.04.015 - WHO (1999) '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 - Takahashi, K., Yoshino, T., Maki, Y., Ishiuchi, K., Namiki, T., Ogawa-Ochiai, K., Minamizawa, K., Makino, T., Nakamura, T., Mimura, M. and Watanabe, K (2019) 'Identification of glycyrrhizin metabolites in humans and of a potential biomarker of liquorice-induced pseudoaldosteronism', Archives of Toxicology, 93(11), pp. 3111-3119. doi:10.1007/s00204-019-02588-2 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-019-02588-2 - Penninkilampi, R., Eslick, E.M. and Eslick, G.D (2017) 'The association between consistent licorice ingestion, hypertension and hypokalaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Journal of Human Hypertension, 31(11), pp. 699-707. doi:10.1038/jhh.2017.45 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2017.45 - Wu, T., Yang, J., Xia, J. and Sun, G (2024) 'Effects of licorice functional components intakes on blood pressure: a systematic review with meta-analysis and network toxicology', Nutrients, 16(21), pp. 3768. doi:10.3390/nu16213768 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16213768 - af Geijerstam, P., Joelsson, A., Radholm, K. and Nystrom, F.H (2024) 'A low dose of daily licorice intake affects renin, aldosterone, and home blood pressure in a randomized crossover trial', The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 119(3), pp. 682-691. doi:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.01.011 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.01.011
- Gierlikowska, B., Gierlikowski, W., Bekier, K., Skalicka-Wozniak, K., Czerwinska, M.E. and Kiss, A.K (2019) 'Inula helenium and Grindelia squarrosa as a source of compounds with anti-inflammatory activity in human neutrophils and cultured human respiratory epithelium', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 249, pp. 112311. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.112311 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.112311 - Gao, S. and Wang, Q. and Tian, X.H. and Li, H.L. and Shen, Y.H. and Xu, X.K. and Wu, G.Z. and Hu, Z.L. and Zhang, W.D (2016) 'Total sesquiterpene lactones prepared from Inula helenium L. has potentials in prevention and therapy of rheumatoid arthritis', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 39--46. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.12.020 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.12.020 - Wang, Q., Gao, S., Wu, G., Yang, N., Zu, X., Li, W., Xie, N., Zhang, R., Li, C., Hu, Z. and Zhang, W (2018) 'Total sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Inula helenium L. attenuates 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in mice', Phytomedicine, 46, pp. 78-84. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2018.04.036 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2018.04.036 - Dao, T.T.P., Song, K., Kim, J.Y. and Kim, Y.S (2020) 'Igalan from Inula helenium (L.) suppresses the atopic dermatitis-like response in stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes via JAK/STAT3 signaling', Inflammation Research, 69(3), pp. 309-319. doi:10.1007/s00011-020-01322-4 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-020-01322-4 - He, X., Zhao, W., Shao, B., Zhang, B., Liu, T., Sun, C., Huang, H., Wu, J., Liang, J. and Ma, X (2020) 'Natural soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors from Inula helenium and their interactions with soluble epoxide hydrolase', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 161, pp. 1465-1474. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.04.227 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.04.227 - Buza, V., Niculae, M., Hanganu, D., Pall, E., Burtescu, R.F., Olah, N., Matei-Latiu, M., Vlasiuc, I., Iozon, I., Szakacs, A.R., Ielciu, I. and Stefanut, L.C (2022) 'Biological Activities and Chemical Profile of Gentiana asclepiadea and Inula helenium Ethanolic Extracts', Molecules, 27(11), pp. 3560. doi:10.3390/molecules27113560 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27113560 - Zheng, X., Wu, Z., Xu, J., Zhang, X., Tu, Y., Lei, J., Yuan, R., Cheng, H., Wang, Q. and Yu, J (2021) 'Bioactive sesquiterpenes from Inula helenium', Bioorganic Chemistry, 114, pp. 105066. doi:10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105066 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105066 - Nder, A.E (2021) 'Efficacy of methanol-water extract of Inula helenium root against oxidative DNA damage', Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 41(2), pp. 293-300. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Efficacy%20of%20methanol-water%20extract%20of%20Inula%20helenium%20root%20against%20oxidative%20DNA%20damage - Chun, J., Song, K. and Kim, Y.S (2018) 'Sesquiterpene lactones-enriched fraction of Inula helenium L. induces apoptosis through inhibition of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 signaling pathway in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells', Phytotherapy Research, 32(12), pp. 2501-2509. doi:10.1002/ptr.6189 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6189 - Li, Y., Ni, Z., Zhu, M., Dong, M., Wang, S., Shi, Q., Zhang, M., Wang, Y., Huo, C., Kiyota, H. and Cong, B (2012) 'Antitumour activities of sesquiterpene lactones from Inula helenium and Inula japonica', Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung C, 67(7-8), pp. 375-380. doi:10.1515/znc-2012-7-804 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1515/znc-2012-7-804 - Yan, Y.Y., Zhang, Q., Zhang, B., Yang, B. and Lin, N.M (2019) 'Active ingredients of Inula helenium L. exhibits similar anti-cancer effects as isoalantolactone in pancreatic cancer cells', Natural Product Research, 34(17), pp. 2539-2544. doi:10.1080/14786419.2018.1543676 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2018.1543676 - Kenny, C.R., Stojakowska, A., Furey, A. and Lucey, B (2022) 'From Monographs to Chromatograms: The Antimicrobial Potential of Inula helenium L. (Elecampane) Naturalised in Ireland', Molecules. doi:10.3390/molecules27041406 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27041406 - Stojanovic-Radic, Z. and Comic, Lj. and Radulovic, N. and Blagojevic, P. and Denic, M. and Miltojevic, A. and Rajkovic, J. and Mihajilov-Krstev, T (2012) 'Antistaphylococcal activity of Inula helenium L. root essential oil: eudesmane sesquiterpene lactones induce cell membrane damage', European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 31(6), pp. 1015--1025. doi:10.1007/s10096-011-1400-1 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-011-1400-1 - Cantrell, C.L. and Abate, L. and Fronczek, F.R. and Franzblau, S.G. and Quijano, L. and Fischer, N.H (1999) 'Antimycobacterial eudesmanolides from Inula helenium and Rudbeckia subtomentosa', Planta Medica, 65(4), pp. 351--355. doi:10.1055/s-1999-14001 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-1999-14001
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.