Plant Comparison
Elecampane vs Feverfew
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
Elecampane and Feverfew: both belong to the Asteraceae family; they share 3 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, inflammation (general), skin irritation); 1 pharmacological action in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Elecampane | Feverfew | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 2/10 | 8/10 | Stronger for Feverfew |
| Inflammation (general) | 2/10 | 8/10 | Stronger for Feverfew |
| Skin irritation | 2/10 | 8/10 | Stronger for Feverfew |
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 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).
Parthenolide is the principal active compound, to which extracts are often standardised; it is biosynthesised and stored in the glandular trichomes of the aerial parts.
Supporting antioxidant and aromatic constituents.
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
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
Traditional use for fever and for joint pain / arthritis
Traditional use for fever and for joint pain / arthritis
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Migraine prophylaxis - reduces attack frequency (evidence favourable for some standardised preparations, though mixed); parthenolide is identified as the component responsible for the antimigraine effect in animal models
Traditional use for fever and for joint pain / arthritis
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
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.
As a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae), it can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to ragweed and related plants. Chewing fresh leaves commonly causes mouth ulcers and oral soreness.
Stopping feverfew abruptly after prolonged use can cause a 'post-feverfew' rebound of headache, anxiety and muscle/joint stiffness. Avoid in pregnancy (uterine-stimulant) and breastfeeding, and use caution with anticoagulant/antiplatelet medicines.
External Ids
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]
Aromatic perennial herb (Asteraceae), 20-60 cm tall, with much-branched, downy stems. Leaves are yellow-green, bipinnately divided and strongly scented. Small, daisy-like flower heads have white ray florets and a flat yellow disc, borne in loose clusters.[13]
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 to the Balkans and Caucasus region, now naturalised across Europe, North America and elsewhere; grows on disturbed ground, walls, roadsides and waste places, and is widely cultivated.[11]
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]
Leaves (aerial parts) are gathered during the growing season, ideally at flowering, and dried or used fresh.[13]
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]
Feverfew has a long European folk tradition, its name derived from 'febrifuge' (fever-reducer), as a remedy for fevers, headaches and joint pain. Modern use and clinical research focus on migraine prevention, with parthenolide identified as the key active compound responsible for inhibiting the inflammatory pathways implicated in migraine.[11]
Preparations
References
Lookalikes Review
Dosage
Not documented
Clinical trials for migraine prevention have most often used standardised extracts providing around 0.2-0.6% parthenolide, taken daily; do not stop abruptly after prolonged use given a documented 'post-feverfew' rebound syndrome. Educational reference only, not a prescription; avoid in pregnancy and with anticoagulants.
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
Pairings
Not documented
Feverfew and ginger both reduce blood clotting/platelet stickiness, so taking them together may add up and raise the risk of bruising or bleeding — use caution, especially before surgery or alongside blood-thinning drugs.[14, 15, 16]
References & Sources
- 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
- Ernst, E. and Pittler, M.H (2000) 'The efficacy and safety of feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): an update of a systematic review', Public Health Nutrition, 3(4A), pp. 509-514. doi:10.1017/s1368980000000598 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1017/s1368980000000598 - Pittler, M.H., Vogler, B.K. and Ernst, E (2000) 'Feverfew for preventing migraine', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (3), pp. CD002286. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002286 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002286 - Pareek, A., Suthar, M., Rathore, G.S. and Bansal, V (2011) 'Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): A systematic review', Pharmacognosy Reviews, 5(9), pp. 103-110. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.79105 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.79105 - Lopresti, A.L., Smith, S.J. and Drummond, P.D (2020) 'Herbal treatments for migraine: A systematic review of randomised-controlled studies', Phytotherapy Research, 34(10), pp. 2493-2517. doi:10.1002/ptr.6701 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6701 - Pfaffenrath, V., Diener, H.C., Fischer, M., Friede, M. and Henneicke-von Zepelin, H.H (2002) 'The efficacy and safety of Tanacetum parthenium (feverfew) in migraine prophylaxis - a double-blind, multicentre, randomized placebo-controlled dose-response study', Cephalalgia, 22(7), pp. 523-532. doi:10.1046/j.1468-2982.2002.00396.x Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1468-2982.2002.00396.x - Shrivastava, R., Pechadre, J.C. and John, G.W (2006) 'Tanacetum parthenium and Salix alba (Mig-RL) combination in migraine prophylaxis: a prospective, open-label study', Clinical Drug Investigation, 26(5), pp. 287-296. doi:10.2165/00044011-200626050-00006 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.2165/00044011-200626050-00006 - Sur, R., Martin, K., Liebel, F., Lyte, P. and others (2009) 'Anti-inflammatory activity of parthenolide-depleted Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)', Inflammopharmacology, 17(1), pp. 42-49. doi:10.1007/s10787-008-8040-9 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-008-8040-9 - Darbahani, M., Rahaie, M., Ebrahimi, A. and Khosrowshahli, M (2022) 'The effects of several abiotic elicitors on the expression of genes of key enzymes involved in the parthenolide biosynthetic pathway and its content in feverfew plant (Tanacetum parthenium L.)', Natural Product Research, 36(23), pp. 6132-6136. doi:10.1080/14786419.2022.2055555 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2022.2055555 - Jin, P., Madieh, S. and Augsburger, L.L (2008) 'Selected physical and chemical properties of Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) extracts important for formulated product quality and performance', AAPS PharmSciTech, 9(1), pp. 22-30. doi:10.1208/s12249-007-9017-5 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-007-9017-5 - Studzinska-Sroka, E., Znajdek-Awizen, P. and Gawron-Gzella, A (2013) 'Studies on the antimigraine action of Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Sch. Bip.)', Wiadomosci Lekarskie, 66(2 Pt 2), pp. 195-199. Meta-analysis / review
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Studies%20on%20the%20antimigraine%20action%20of%20Feverfew%20%28Tanacetum%20parthenium%20%28L.%29%20Sch.%20Bip.%29 - Wider, B., Pittler, M.H. and Ernst, E (2015) 'Feverfew for preventing migraine', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002286.pub3 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002286.pub3 - Tassorelli, C. and Greco, R. and Morazzoni, P. and Riva, A. and Sandrini, G. and Nappi, G (2005) 'Parthenolide is the component of Tanacetum parthenium that inhibits nitroglycerin-induced Fos activation: studies in an animal model of migraine', Cephalalgia, 25(8), pp. 612--621. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2982.2005.00915.x Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2982.2005.00915.x - Majdi, M. and Liu, Q. and Karimzadeh, G. and Malboobi, M.A. and Beekwilder, J. and Cankar, K. and de Vos, R. and Todorovic, S. and Simonovic, A. and Bouwmeester, H (2011) 'Biosynthesis and localization of parthenolide in glandular trichomes of feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L. Schulz Bip.)', Phytochemistry, pp. 1739--1750. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2011.04.021 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2011.04.021 - Groenewegen, W.A. and Heptinstall, S (1990) 'A comparison of the effects of an extract of feverfew and parthenolide, a component of feverfew, on human platelet activity in-vitro', Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 42(8), pp. 553-557. doi:10.1111/j.2042-7158.1990.tb07057.x Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7158.1990.tb07057.x - Ang-Lee, M.K., Moss, J. and Yuan, C.S (2001) 'Herbal medicines and perioperative care', JAMA, 286(2), pp. 208-216. doi:10.1001/jama.286.2.208 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.286.2.208 - Jiang, X., Williams, K.M., Liauw, W.S., Ammit, A.J., Roufogalis, B.D., Duke, C.C., Day, R.O. and McLachlan, A.J (2005) 'Effect of ginkgo and ginger on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin in healthy subjects', British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 59(4), pp. 425-432. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2005.02322.x Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2005.02322.x
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.