Plant Comparison
Lemon balm vs Common coltsfoot
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
Lemon balm and Common coltsfoot: they share 4 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, inflammation (general), insomnia / sleeplessness, …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Lemon balm | Common coltsfoot | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Lemon balm |
| Inflammation (general) | 5/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Lemon balm |
| Insomnia / sleeplessness | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Lemon balm |
| Skin irritation | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Lemon balm |
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 phenolic acid of lemon balm, associated with much of its antioxidant and antiviral activity.
The volatile oil (geranial and neral, together called citral, plus citronellal) gives the characteristic lemon scent and has demonstrated anxiolytic activity.
Minor constituents studied for anti-inflammatory activity.
Hepatotoxic constituents that are the central safety concern for this plant; regulatory limits and PA-controlled/PA-reduced products exist specifically because of these compounds.
Demulcent polysaccharide contributing to the traditional soothing action on irritated airways.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antiviral action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally very safe for adults. Theoretically may interact with thyroid medications and sedatives. Avoid high therapeutic doses during pregnancy. Long-term safety data beyond a few months is limited.
Safety notes (contraindications, interactions, pregnancy/lactation notes, adverse effects, dose-duration cautions) Important: Coltsfoot naturally contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs)—plant chemicals that can damage the liver and may increase cancer risk with enough exposure (EMA, 2021; Kopp et al., 2020).
Because of this, European regulators set very strict limits for PA exposure from herbal products (EMA, 2021).
Many safety-focused herbal references recommend avoiding homemade/internal coltsfoot use, unless the product is specifically made to be PA-controlled / PA-reduced (EMA, 2021).
Avoid internal use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have liver disease, or for children—these groups are treated as “sensitive” in PA risk guidance (EMA, 2021).
Medication caution: if you take medicines that stress the liver (some prescription drugs can), it’s extra important to avoid unregulated PA exposure (general PA risk logic; consult a clinician) (EMA, 2021).
Topical use may still carry PA considerations; EMA discusses limits and recommends use only on intact skin for PA-containing products (EMA, 2021).
Duke (2002) provides clinical support (score 2) for coltsfoot's anti-inflammatory and expectorant effects, explaining its traditional use in bronchitis and coughs. However, the plant contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), and Duke notes a carcinogenic score (1) — a critical safety concern. Commission E has placed restrictions on coltsfoot use, recommending maximum internal use of 4–6 weeks per year and avoiding use in pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 12. Duke rates its overall safety as low (+) and emphasizes that preparations free of PAs are preferred (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Perennial herb, 30-70 (up to 150) cm tall, with square, branched, hairy stems typical of the mint family. Leaves are opposite, ovate to heart-shaped with a toothed margin, wrinkled and softly hairy, releasing a strong lemon scent when crushed. Small, pale yellow to white, two-lipped flowers are borne in loose whorls in the leaf axils. The fruit splits into four small nutlets.[6]
Low perennial herb notable for flowering before its leaves appear: solitary, bright yellow, dandelion-like flower heads emerge on scaly pinkish stalks in very early spring, followed later by large, hoof-shaped (heart-shaped with angular teeth), white-woolly-backed leaves arising directly from the creeping rhizome.[11]
Habitat
Native to southern Europe, the Mediterranean and western Asia, widely cultivated and naturalised in gardens, hedgebanks and waste ground across temperate regions, favouring sunny to lightly shaded, well-drained soils.[6]
Grows on disturbed, damp or clay-rich waste ground, riverbanks, railway embankments and bare soil; native to Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia and naturalised in North America.[11]
Harvesting
Leaves and flowering tops are cut just before or at the start of flowering (summer), when the volatile-oil content is highest, and dried quickly at low temperature away from direct light, since the aromatic oil is heat- and light-sensitive.[6]
Flowers are gathered in very early spring before the leaves appear; leaves are gathered later in the season once expanded. Given the plant's pyrrolizidine alkaloid content, harvesting from a positively confirmed patch (not a look-alike) and preferring PA-tested commercial material for internal use is strongly advised.[2]
Traditional Uses
Lemon balm has a long European tradition as a calming, 'cheering' herb for nervous tension, poor sleep and mild anxiety, and as a carminative for indigestion, bloating and cramping; topically it has traditionally been applied to cold sores. Modern clinical trials support anxiolytic and mood-related benefits and antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus, consistent with these traditional uses.[4, 6, 9]
Coltsfoot has an ancient European and Chinese tradition, reflected in its Latin name (tussis = cough), as an expectorant and demulcent remedy for coughs, bronchitis and irritated airways; because of its pyrrolizidine alkaloid content, contemporary use is restricted to short courses of PA-controlled preparations under regulatory limits (see contraindications).[1, 2, 12]
Preparations
Dried leaf steeped in hot water, the classic way of taking lemon balm for calming and digestive support.
Encapsulated dry extract, the form used in clinical trials studying lemon balm for anxiety and mood; follow product-specific dosing.
Concentrated leaf extract cream applied to cold sores (herpes labialis) at the earliest sign of an outbreak.
Tincture of the dried leaf, 2-6 ml one to three times daily per the EU herbal monograph. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Commercially prepared, pyrrolizidine-alkaloid-tested extract or syrup, the only form recommended for internal use given the plant's natural PA content.
Dried flower or leaf infused in hot water; traditional but subject to strict duration/PA-content limits under EU herbal regulation.
Dosage
The EU herbal monograph gives 1.5-4.5 g of the comminuted leaf in 150 mL of boiling water as an infusion, 1-3 times daily, in adolescents over 12, adults and elderly; a liquid extract at 2-4 mL and a tincture at 2-6 mL, both 1-3 times daily, are also listed. If symptoms persist longer than 2 weeks a healthcare practitioner should be consulted. Not recommended under 12 years. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
EU regulatory guidance restricts internal use to PA-controlled preparations. The EMA public statement on unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids records a maximum daily intake for internal use of 1 microgram of PAs for at most 6 weeks per year, or 0.1 microgram per day with no duration limit; for cutaneous use the limits are 100 micrograms for at most 6 weeks per year, or 10 micrograms without a duration limit. Not for use in pregnancy, breastfeeding, or children. Note that these are limits on PA intake, not a herb dose — no EMA monograph exists for Tussilago farfara, so there is no official posology for the herb itself. Educational reference only, not a prescription — consult a qualified practitioner and prefer tested commercial products.
References
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
Pairings
Lemon balm and passionflower are both gentle, GABA-acting calming herbs often blended together in anti-anxiety and sleep formulas; combined use may deepen relaxation but also add to drowsiness.[17, 19]
Not documented
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
References & Sources
- Mathews, I.M., Eastwood, J., Lamport, D.J., Cozannet, R.L. and others (2024) 'Clinical Efficacy and Tolerability of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) in Psychological Well-Being: A Review', Nutrients, 16(20), pp. 3545. doi:10.3390/nu16203545 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16203545 - Ghazizadeh, J., Sadigh-Eteghad, S., Marx, W., Fakhari, A. and others (2021) 'The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Phytotherapy Research, 35(12), pp. 6690-6705. doi:10.1002/ptr.7252 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7252 - Shahsavari, K., Shams Ardekani, M.R., Khanavi, M., Jamialahmadi, T. and others (2024) 'Effects of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) consumption on serum lipid profile: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials', BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 24(1), pp. 146. doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04442-0 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04442-0 - Petrisor, G., Motelica, L., Craciun, L.N., Oprea, O.C. and others (2022) 'Melissa officinalis: Composition, Pharmacological Effects and Derived Release Systems-A Review', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(7), pp. 3591. doi:10.3390/ijms23073591 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23073591 - Heshmati, J., Morvaridzadeh, M., Sepidarkish, M., Fazelian, S. and others (2020) 'Effects of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) on cardio-metabolic outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Phytotherapy Research, 34(12), pp. 3113-3123. doi:10.1002/ptr.6744 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6744 - Shakeri, A., Sahebkar, A. and Javadi, B (2016) 'Melissa officinalis L. - A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 188, pp. 204-228. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.010 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.010 - Zam, W., Quispe, C., Sharifi-Rad, J., Lopez, M.D. and others (2022) 'An Updated Review on The Properties of Melissa officinalis L.: Not Exclusively Anti-anxiety', Frontiers in Bioscience (Scholar Edition), 14(2), pp. 16. doi:10.31083/j.fbs1402016 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.31083/j.fbs1402016 - Chang, J.Y., Balch, C., Puccio, J. and Oh, H.S (2023) 'A Narrative Review of Alternative Symptomatic Treatments for Herpes Simplex Virus', Viruses, 15(6), pp. 1314. doi:10.3390/v15061314 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/v15061314 - Ulbricht, C., Brendler, T., Gruenwald, J., Kligler, B. and others (2005) 'Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.): an evidence-based systematic review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration', Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy, 5(4), pp. 71-114. doi:10.1080/j157v05n04_08 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/j157v05n04_08 - Stojanovic, N.M., Mladenovic, M.Z., Maslovaric, A., Stojiljkovic, N.I. and others (2021) 'Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) essential oil and citronellal modulate anxiety-related symptoms - In vitro and in vivo studies', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 284, pp. 114788. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114788 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114788 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2013) 'Community herbal monograph on Melissa officinalis L., folium'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-melissa-officinalis-l-folium_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-melissa-officinalis-l-folium_en.pdf - Hoffmann, D (2003) 'Medical Herbalism'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Medical%20Herbalism - Kennedy, D.O. et al (2002) 'Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of Melissa officinalis', 27(2), pp. 256--261. doi:10.1016/s0091-3057(02)00777-3 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0091-3057(02)00777-3 - Petersen, M. and Simmonds, M.S.J (2003) 'Rosmarinic acid', 62(2), pp. 121--125. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Rosmarinic%20acid - 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 - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003 - Haybar, H., Javid, A.Z., Haghighizadeh, M.H., Valizadeh, E., Mohaghegh, S.M. and Mohammadzadeh, A (2018) 'The effects of Melissa officinalis supplementation on depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorder in patients with chronic stable angina', Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, 26, pp. 47-52. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.04.015 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.04.015 - Keck, M.E., Nicolussi, S., Spura, K., Blohm, C., Zahner, C. and Drewe, J (2020) 'Effect of the fixed combination of valerian, lemon balm, passionflower, and butterbur extracts (Ze 185) on the prescription pattern of benzodiazepines in hospitalized psychiatric patients', Phytotherapy Research, 34(6), pp. 1436-1445. doi:10.1002/ptr.6618 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6618
- Ahmad, I., Kudaibergenova, B., Ahmad, M. and others (2025) 'Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara L.; Asteraceae): modern methods of extraction, phytochemistry, nanoparticles synthesis, ethnopharmacology, and biological activities', Natural Product Research, pp. 1-20. doi:10.1080/14786419.2025.2548616 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2025.2548616 - Chen, S., Dong, L., Quan, H., Zhou, X. and others (2020) 'A review of the ethnobotanical value, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and quality control of Tussilago farfara L. (coltsfoot)', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 267, pp. 113478. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113478 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113478 - Feng, J., Zhang, Y., Qin, X., Gao, T. and others (2022) 'Novel Quinic Acid Glycerates from Tussilago farfara Inhibit Polypeptide GalNAc-Transferase', ChemBioChem, 23(3), pp. e202100539. doi:10.1002/cbic.202100539 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbic.202100539 - Zhao, J., Evangelopoulos, D., Bhakta, S., Gray, A.I. and Seidel, V (2014) 'Antitubercular activity of Arctium lappa and Tussilago farfara extracts and constituents', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 155(1), pp. 796-800. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2014.06.034 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.06.034 - Avila, C., Breakspear, I., Hawrelak, J., Salmond, S. and Evans, S (2020) 'A systematic review and quality assessment of case reports of adverse events for borage (Borago officinalis), coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) and comfrey (Symphytum officinale)', Fitoterapia, 142, pp. 104519. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2020.104519 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2020.104519 - Lee, J., Park, S., Kim, M.J., Kwon, S.J. and others (2019) 'Sesquiterpenoids from Tussilago farfara Flower Bud Extract for the Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles Possessing Antibacterial and Anticancer Activities', Nanomaterials (Basel), 9(6), pp. 819. doi:10.3390/nano9060819 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9060819 - Bota, V.B., Neamtu, A.A., Olah, N.K., Chiselita, O. and others (2022) 'A Comparative Analysis of the Anatomy, Phenolic Profile, and Antioxidant Capacity of Tussilago farfara L. Vegetative Organs', Plants (Basel), 11(13), pp. 1663. doi:10.3390/plants11131663 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11131663 - Boucher, M.A., Cote, H., Pichette, A., Ripoll, L. and Legault, J (2020) 'Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Tussilago farfara (L.) essential oil from Quebec, Canada', Natural Product Research, 34(4), pp. 545-548. doi:10.1080/14786419.2018.1489384 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2018.1489384 - Li, Z.Y., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y.B., Yang, X.W. and others (2022) 'Polyhydroxylated eudesmane sesquiterpenoids and sesquiterpenoid glucoside from the flower buds of Tussilago farfara', Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines, 20(4), pp. 301-308. doi:10.1016/S1875-5364(21)60120-6 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1875-5364(21)60120-6 - Jang, H., Lee, J.W., Lee, C., Jin, Q. and others (2016) 'Sesquiterpenoids from Tussilago farfara inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide production in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells', Archives of Pharmacal Research, 39(1), pp. 127-132. doi:10.1007/s12272-015-0667-7 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-015-0667-7 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Westendorf, J., Czok, G., Marquardt, R., Nausner, M., Krauer, B. and Paul, H.L (1988) 'Pyrrolizidine alkaloid content of Tussilago farfara plants from different regions and preparations', pp. 903--909. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Pyrrolizidine%20alkaloid%20content%20of%20Tussilago%20farfara%20plants%20from%20different%20regions%20and%20preparations - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2021) 'Public statement on the use of herbal medicinal products containing toxic, unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), including recommendations regarding contamination of herbal medicinal products with PAs, Revision 1'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/public-statement/public-statement-use-herbal-medicinal-products-containing-toxic-unsaturated-pyrrolizidine-alkaloids-pas-including-recommendations-regarding-contamination-herbal-medicinal-products-pyrrolizidine_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/public-statement/public-statement-use-herbal-medicinal-products-containing-toxic-unsaturated-pyrrolizidine-alkaloids-pas-including-recommendations-regarding-contamination-herbal-medicinal-products-pyrrolizidine_en.pdf - 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 - 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.