Plant Comparison
Ivy Leaf 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.
At a glance
Ivy Leaf and Butterbur: they share 4 indicated uses (asthma, cough, menstrual cramps, …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Ivy Leaf | Butterbur | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asthma | 3/10 | 3/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cough | 7/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Ivy Leaf |
| Menstrual cramps | 3/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Muscle spasm | 3/10 | 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 secretolytic and antispasmodic active constituents; extracts are standardised to them.
The anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic active principles; standardised in commercial extracts.
Naturally present but hepatotoxic and carcinogenic; must be removed to make a safe product.
Pharmacological Actions
Antispasmodic / bronchodilatory - eases coughing fits and breathlessness
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)
Traditional & Indicated Uses
Expectorant / secretolytic for productive cough and acute bronchitis (loosens and helps clear mucus)
Expectorant / secretolytic for productive cough and acute bronchitis (loosens and helps clear mucus)
inferred from antispasmodic action
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)
inferred from anticancer action
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)
inferred from antispasmodic action
Migraine prophylaxis (reduces attack frequency; up to ~60% reduction vs placebo in a randomised controlled trial of a standardised CO2 root extract)
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally well tolerated; occasional gastrointestinal upset or, rarely, allergic reaction. Use only standardised extract products - the fresh raw plant contains irritant saponins and falcarinol that can cause contact dermatitis.
A cough lasting more than a week, or with fever, breathlessness or purulent sputum, needs medical assessment. Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established.
Use ONLY certified pyrrolizidine-alkaloid (PA)-free, standardised extracts. Raw or unprocessed butterbur contains PAs that are toxic to the liver and potentially carcinogenic.
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
Botanical Description
Woody, evergreen climbing or trailing vine that attaches to surfaces by small aerial rootlets. Juvenile leaves are glossy, dark green with three to five lobes; mature, flowering growth on well-lit stems produces unlobed, oval leaves. Small, greenish-yellow flowers in rounded umbels appear in autumn on mature growth, followed by black berries.[12]
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]
Habitat
Grows as a climbing or ground-covering evergreen on trees, walls, buildings and woodland floors, tolerant of shade; native to Europe and Western Asia and widely naturalised elsewhere.
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
Juvenile (lobed) leaves are picked for medicinal use, typically in spring to summer, then dried and processed into standardised extract; the fresh raw leaf is not used directly due to irritant saponins.
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]
Traditional Uses
Ivy leaf has a long European folk history as an expectorant remedy for coughs and chest complaints, and modern standardised leaf extracts are among the best-studied herbal treatments for acute bronchitis and productive cough, shown in clinical trials to reduce cough severity and ease breathing.[12]
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
Leaf extract standardised to saponin (hederacoside C) content, formulated as a cough syrup or drops; the well-studied clinical form for acute bronchitis and productive cough.
Dosage
Commercial standardised ivy-leaf syrups are typically dosed per product labelling (varying by age); clinical trials show benefit within about 48 hours of starting treatment. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
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
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
References & Sources
- Sierocinski, E., Holzinger, F. and Chenot, J.F (2021) 'Ivy leaf (Hedera helix) for acute upper respiratory tract infections: an updated systematic review', European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 77(8), pp. 1113-1122. doi:10.1007/s00228-021-03090-4 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-021-03090-4 - Baharara, H., Moghadam, A.T., Sahebkar, A., Emami, S.A. et al (2021) 'The Effects of Ivy (Hedera helix) on Respiratory Problems and Cough in Humans: A Review', Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1328, pp. 361-376. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-73234-9_23 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73234-9_23 - Song, K.J., Shin, Y.J., Lee, K.R., Lee, E.J. et al (2015) 'Expectorant and antitussive effect of Hedera helix and Rhizoma coptidis extracts mixture', Yonsei Medical Journal, 56(3), pp. 819-824. doi:10.3349/ymj.2015.56.3.819 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2015.56.3.819 - Yu, M., Liu, J., Li, L., Xu, H., Xing, Y., Zhao, Y. and Yu, Z (2016) 'Pharmacokinetic parameters of three active ingredients hederacoside C, hederacoside D, and alpha-hederin in Hedera helix in rats', Journal of Separation Science, 39(17), pp. 3292-3301. doi:10.1002/jssc.201600523 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/jssc.201600523 - Sieben, A., Prenner, L., Sorkalla, T., Wolf, A., Jakobs, D., Runkel, F. and Haberlein, H (2009) 'Alpha-hederin, but not hederacoside C and hederagenin from Hedera helix, affects the binding behavior, dynamics, and regulation of beta-2-adrenergic receptors', Biochemistry, 48(15), pp. 3477-3482. doi:10.1021/bi802036b Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/bi802036b - Alkattan, A., Alameer, R., Alsalameen, E., Almaary, M., Alkhairat, M., Alkhalifah, A., Alghanim, F. and Radwan, N (2021) 'Safety of English ivy (Hedera helix) leaf extract during pregnancy: retrospective cohort study', DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 29(2), pp. 493-499. doi:10.1007/s40199-021-00415-7 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40199-021-00415-7 - Trute, A., Gross, J., Mutschler, E. and Nahrstedt, A (1997) 'In vitro antispasmodic compounds of the dry extract obtained from Hedera helix', Planta Medica, 63(2), pp. 125-129. doi:10.1055/s-2006-957627 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-957627 - Gavrila, A.I., Tatia, R., Seciu-Grama, A., Tarcomnicu, I., Negrea, C., Calinescu, I., Zalaru, C., Moldovan, L., Raiciu, A.D. and Popa, I (2022) 'Ultrasound assisted extraction of saponins from Hedera helix L. and an in vitro biocompatibility evaluation of the extracts', Pharmaceuticals, 15(10), pp. 1197. doi:10.3390/ph15101197 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15101197 - Suleyman, H., Mshvildadze, V., Gepdiremen, A. and Elias, R (2003) 'Acute and chronic antiinflammatory profile of the ivy plant, Hedera helix, in rats', Phytomedicine, 10(5), pp. 370-374. doi:10.1078/0944-7113-00260 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1078/0944-7113-00260 - Mendel, M., Chlopecka, M., Dziekan, N. and Wiechetek, M (2011) 'The effect of the whole extract of common ivy (Hedera helix) leaves and selected active substances on the motoric activity of rat isolated stomach strips', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 134(3), pp. 796-802. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.01.036 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2011.01.036 - Rosca-Casian, O., Mircea, C., Vlase, L., Gheldiu, A., Teuca, D.T. and Parvu, M (2017) 'Chemical composition and antifungal activity of Hedera helix leaf ethanolic extract', Acta Biologica Hungarica, 68(2), pp. 196-207. doi:10.1556/018.68.2017.2.7 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1556/018.68.2017.2.7 - Kruttschnitt, E., Wegener, T., Zahner, C. and Henzen-Bucking, S (2020) 'Assessment of the Efficacy and Safety of Ivy Leaf Cough Syrup Compared with Acetylcysteine in Adults and Children with Acute Bronchitis', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. doi:10.1155/2020/1910656 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/1910656 - Schonknecht, K., Fal, A.M., Mastalerz-Migas, A., Joachimiak, M. and Doniec, Z (2017) 'Efficacy of dry extract of ivy leaves in the treatment of productive cough', Wiadomosci Lekarskie. Randomized trial
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Efficacy%20of%20dry%20extract%20of%20ivy%20leaves%20in%20the%20treatment%20of%20productive%20cough - Schaefer, A., Kehr, M.S., Giannetti, B.M., Bulitta, M. and Staiger, C (2016) 'A randomized, controlled, double-blind, multi-center trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a liquid containing ivy leaves dry extract (EA 575) vs. placebo in the treatment of adults with acute cough', Die Pharmazie, 71(9), pp. 504--509. doi:10.1691/ph.2016.6712 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1691/ph.2016.6712
- 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
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.