Plant Comparison

Elecampane vs Selfheal

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.

First plant
Second plant
Show:
Plant AElecampaneInula heleniumAsteraceaeFull monograph →
Plant BSelfhealPrunella vulgarisLamiaceaeFull monograph →

At a glance

Elecampane and Selfheal: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, cancer (anticancer research), infection (general), …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.

ElecampaneSelfheal
Constituents32
Pharmacological actions410
Indicated uses912
Safety notes22
Cited sources1437
Indicated uses
Only Elecampane
BronchitisCoughRespiratory support
Shared (6)
Arthritis / joint painCancer (anticancer research)Infection (general)Inflammation (general)Skin irritationWounds
Only Selfheal
BruisingCold & fluImmune supportBlood sugar / diabetes supportCardiovascular / heart healthCognitive function
Pharmacological actions
Only Elecampane
Expectorant
Shared (3)
Anti-inflammatoryAnticancer (preclinical)Antimicrobial
Only Selfheal
AntioxidantAntiviralImmunomodulator / immune supportVulnerary (wound healing)Neuroprotective / cognition supportHepatoprotective (liver support)Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)

Evidence face-off — shared uses

ConditionElecampaneSelfhealVerdict
Arthritis / joint pain2/102/10Comparable evidence
Cancer (anticancer research)2/107/10Stronger for Selfheal
Infection (general)2/102/10Comparable evidence
Inflammation (general)2/102/10Comparable evidence
Skin irritation2/102/10Comparable evidence
Wounds2/102/10Comparable 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

Sesquiterpene lactones (alantolactone, isoalantolactone, igalan, diplophyllin)[2, 12, 13, 14]

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.

Sesquiterpene lactonesSesquiterpenes
Inulin[12]

A fructan polysaccharide abundant in the root (the genus Inula gives inulin its name).

PolysaccharidesInulin
Essential oil[12]

Aromatic constituents of the root.

Essential (volatile) oil
Triterpenoids and phenolic acids[1, 3]

Pentacyclic triterpenoids (ursolic, oleanolic and betulinic acids), the phenolic acid rosmarinic acid, coumarins (umbelliferone, scopoletin, esculetin) and the flavonoid luteolin are the main bioactives behind self-heal's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity.

Rosmarinic acidPhenolic acidsCoumarinsFlavonoidsLuteolin
Sulphated and polyphenol-conjugated polysaccharides[4, 29, 30, 31]

Water-extracted polysaccharides — including a partially sulphated arabinogalactomannan (PSP-2B) and polyphenolic-protein-polysaccharide conjugates (PVG/PVE30) — are the principal antiviral and immunomodulatory constituents, blocking herpes simplex virus attachment and modulating innate immune signalling.

PolysaccharidesPhenolic compounds

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

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)

Anticancer (preclinical)[9, 10, 11]
Antimicrobial[6, 12, 13, 14]

Antimicrobial, notably anti-staphylococcal (membrane-damaging) and anti-mycobacterial (active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro); supports respiratory and skin infection

Expectorant[1, 12]

Expectorant for productive cough and bronchitis (long-standing respiratory remedy)

Anti-inflammatory[1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 15, 18, 20, 26, 27, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]
Antimicrobial[1, 3, 32, 33, 34]
Antioxidant[1, 2, 5, 9, 12, 17, 32, 33, 34]
Antiviral[2, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36]
Immunomodulator / immune support[4, 5, 9, 10, 15, 23, 26, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36]
Vulnerary (wound healing)[1, 27, 32, 33, 34]
Anticancer (preclinical)[6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 21, 22, 28]
Neuroprotective / cognition support[11, 25]
Hepatoprotective (liver support)[12, 16, 17]
Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)[19, 20, 24]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[2]Traditional · 2/10

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)

Evidence: 2
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
Bronchitis[12]Traditional · 1/10

Expectorant for productive cough and bronchitis (long-standing respiratory remedy)

Evidence: 1
Label: Bronchitis
Cancer (anticancer research)[9, 10, 11]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 2
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)
Cough[12]Traditional · 1/10

Expectorant for productive cough and bronchitis (long-standing respiratory remedy); Soothes irritated airways / chronic catarrh (traditional)

Evidence: 1
Label: Cough
Infection (general)[12, 13, 14]Traditional · 2/10

Antimicrobial, notably anti-staphylococcal (membrane-damaging) and anti-mycobacterial (active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro); supports respiratory and skin infection

Evidence: 2
Label: Infection (general)
Inflammation (general)[2]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Inflammation (general)
Respiratory support[12]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from expectorant action

Evidence: 1
Label: Respiratory support
Skin irritation[2]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Skin irritation
Wounds[12, 13, 14]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 2
Label: Wounds
Arthritis / joint pain[1, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
Bruising[1, 32, 33, 34]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from vulnerary action

Evidence: 2
Label: Bruising
Cold & flu[29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antiviral action

Evidence: 2
Label: Cold & flu
Immune support[10, 15, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Immune support
Infection (general)[1, 32, 33, 34]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 2
Label: Infection (general)
Inflammation (general)[1, 12, 15, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Inflammation (general)
Skin irritation[1, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Skin irritation
Wounds[1, 27, 32, 33, 34]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 2
Label: Wounds
Cancer (anticancer research)[6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 21, 22, 28]Good · 7/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 7
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)
Blood sugar / diabetes support[19, 20, 24]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Blood sugar / diabetes support
Cardiovascular / heart health[18, 19]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Cardiovascular / heart health
Cognitive function[25]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Cognitive function

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[12]Info

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.

Safety note[12]Caution

Large doses can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea; safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established, so avoid medicinal doses.

Safety note[32, 33, 34]Caution

Generally very safe and well tolerated. No significant known toxicity or drug interactions. Safe for topical and internal use in normal medicinal doses. Suitable for most adults including children in appropriate doses.

Safety note[32, 33, 34, 37]Info

Duke (2002) rates self-heal as +++ and notes antioxidant (score 2), anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and COX-2 inhibitory activities. The plant contains luteolin, rosmarinic acid, and hyperoside — all with well-documented bioactivities. Hepatoprotective activity has been experimentally demonstrated. Duke notes that self-heal has a broad antimicrobial spectrum and an impressive antioxidant profile, supporting its traditional reputation as a versatile wound-healing herb. No significant safety concerns at normal herbal doses (Duke, 2002).

External Ids

Gbif: 3148340
Wikidata: Q697416
Gbif: 5341297
Wikidata: Q158469

Botanical Description

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]

Height: 1-2.5 m
Habit: Tall, robust, coarse-leaved perennial herb
Leaves: Large, coarse, hairy, broadly oval near the base, smaller up the stem
Flowers: Large, shaggy, bright yellow daisy-like heads with numerous narrow ray florets
Stem: Stout, branching, hairy
Root: Thick, aromatic, branching rhizome (the medicinal part)
Fruit: Small achene with a pappus
Flowering Period: July-August

Low, creeping to semi-erect perennial herb (Lamiaceae), 5-30 cm tall, with square, often purplish stems. Leaves are opposite, ovate with slightly toothed margins. Small, two-lipped, violet-purple flowers are densely packed into a compact, club-shaped terminal spike subtended by purplish bracts.[1]

Height: 5-30 cm
Habit: Low, creeping to semi-erect perennial herb
Leaves: Opposite, ovate, slightly toothed
Flowers: Small, two-lipped, violet-purple, in a compact club-shaped terminal spike
Stem: Square, often purplish
Root: Fibrous, spreading perennial rootstock
Fruit: Four small nutlets (typical Lamiaceae schizocarp)
Flowering Period: June-September

Habitat

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]

Native throughout Europe, Asia and North America (circumboreal), extremely common in lawns, meadows, woodland clearings, roadsides and waste ground, tolerating mowing and a wide range of soils.[1]

Harvesting

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]

Parts: Root and rhizome
Season: Autumn, from second-year or older plants

Whole flowering aerial parts (flower, leaf and stem) are cut during flowering (summer) and dried.[1]

Parts: Flower, Leaf, Stem
Season: Summer, during flowering

Traditional Uses

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]

Selfheal has an extremely broad folk-medicine reputation across European, North American and Traditional Chinese Medicine traditions - as its name suggests, used as an all-purpose wound herb, gargle for sore throat, and internal remedy for fevers and inflammation. Modern research on its triterpenoid, phenolic and polysaccharide constituents supports wide-ranging antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral activity.[1]

Preparations

Decoction[12]

Dried root simmered in water as a traditional expectorant and antimicrobial tea.

Infusion (tea)[1]

Dried aerial parts steeped in hot water, taken internally or used as a gargle or wash.

References

REF-1858, REF-0538, REF-1859, REF-1860, REF-1861, REF-1862, REF-1863, REF-1864, REF-1865, REF-1866, REF-1867
REF-0659, REF-2422, REF-2423, REF-2424, REF-2425, REF-2878, REF-2879, REF-2880, REF-2881, REF-2882, REF-2883, REF-2884, REF-2885, REF-2886, REF-2887, REF-2888, REF-2911, REF-2912, REF-2913, REF-2914, REF-2915, REF-2916, REF-2917, REF-2918, REF-2919, REF-2920, REF-2921, REF-2922

Lookalikes Review

Outcome: none-known
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07
Outcome: none-known
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Dosage

Not documented

Infusion (tea)[1]

Traditional guidance suggests roughly 2-4 g dried herb per cup as an infusion, up to three times daily, or an equivalent tincture; used topically as a wash or gargle at similar strength. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

References & Sources

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  2. 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
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  8. 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
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  9. 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
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  11. 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
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  12. 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
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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.