Plant Comparison
Tormentil vs Lungwort
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
Tormentil and Lungwort: they share 4 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, inflammation (general), skin irritation, …); 1 pharmacological action in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Tormentil | Lungwort | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 3/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 6/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Tormentil |
| Sore throat | 2/10 | 1/10 | 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 main antioxidant and COX-2-inhibiting constituents; LC-MS/MS profiling of the aerial parts identified dozens of phenolic compounds (caffeic acid esters and danshensu/dicaffeic-acid conjugates), nine of them previously undescribed, with marked seasonal variation.
Pharmacological Actions
Anti-inflammatory gargle / mouthwash for sore throat and inflammation of the mouth and throat
Astringent for mild diarrhoea (ellagitannins tighten the gut lining) - in a paediatric RCT, tormentil root extract shortened rotavirus diarrhoea (3 vs 5 days) and reduced rehydration needs
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Astringent for mild diarrhoea (ellagitannins tighten the gut lining) - in a paediatric RCT, tormentil root extract shortened rotavirus diarrhoea (3 vs 5 days) and reduced rehydration needs
Supportive in inflammatory bowel disease / ulcerative colitis (limited trial evidence)
Anti-inflammatory gargle / mouthwash for sore throat and inflammation of the mouth and throat
inferred from astringent action
Anti-inflammatory gargle / mouthwash for sore throat and inflammation of the mouth and throat
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis, sore throat and respiratory catarrh (mucilage and saponins)
Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis, sore throat and respiratory catarrh (mucilage and saponins)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis, sore throat and respiratory catarrh (mucilage and saponins)
inferred from demulcent action
Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis, sore throat and respiratory catarrh (mucilage and saponins)
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Tannin-rich: high or prolonged intake may cause stomach upset or constipation and can reduce the absorption of iron and some medicines taken at the same time.
Diarrhoea persisting more than 3-4 days, or with fever or blood in the stool, needs medical care. Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended in the absence of data.
As a member of the borage family (Boraginaceae), which can contain hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, prolonged or high-dose internal use is best avoided; use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.
Traditional use only; clinical evidence in humans is limited, so a cough or respiratory complaint that persists needs medical assessment.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Low, sprawling to semi-erect perennial herb (Rosaceae) with wiry stems. Leaves are palmate, typically with 4-5 leaflets and large leaf-like stipules that give the impression of more leaflets. Flowers are small, yellow and four-petalled - unusual among Potentilla species, most of which have five petals. The thick, woody rhizome is reddish inside when cut, the origin of the old name 'bloodroot' for this European species.[14]
Low, hairy perennial herb (Boraginaceae), 15-30 cm tall. Basal leaves are long-stalked, ovate to lance-shaped, often white-spotted - the spotted pattern was historically likened to diseased lung tissue under the medieval Doctrine of Signatures, giving rise to the name 'lungwort' - and covered in bristly hairs. Funnel-shaped flowers open pink and turn blue as they mature, borne in small coiled clusters (cymes).[10]
Habitat
Native to Europe and western Asia, common in acidic grassland, heath, moorland, open woodland and pastures on poor, well-drained soils.[14]
Native to central and southern Europe, growing in damp, shaded woodland, hedgebanks and scrub on humus-rich soils; widely cultivated as a shade garden plant.[10]
Harvesting
The rhizome is dug in autumn or early spring, when tannin content is highest, then cleaned and dried.[14]
Aerial flowering parts are cut during flowering (spring); the plant can also be gathered later in the growing season, though the phenolic constituent profile is documented to differ measurably between spring and autumn harvests.[11]
Traditional Uses
Tormentil rhizome has an official European herbal-monograph tradition for mild diarrhoea and inflammation of the mouth and throat, reflecting its long folk use as a powerful astringent for gut and mucous-membrane complaints. Modern trials confirm its ellagitannin-rich rhizome shortens the duration of infectious (rotavirus) diarrhoea.[8, 14, 15]
Lungwort's spotted leaves inspired its traditional use, under the Doctrine of Signatures, as a remedy for lung and respiratory complaints - coughs, bronchitis, catarrh and sore throat - valued for its soothing mucilage and astringent tannins. Modern research confirms antioxidant and anti-inflammatory (COX-2-inhibiting) activity of its phenolic-rich extract, though clinical trial evidence in humans remains limited.[10]
Preparations
Dried aerial parts steeped in hot water, the traditional respiratory remedy.
Dosage
Traditional guidance suggests roughly 2-4 g dried herb per cup as an infusion, up to three times daily, for short-term use; avoid prolonged or high-dose internal use given the borage family's potential pyrrolizidine-alkaloid content. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
References & Sources
- Bandick, R., Busmann, L.V., Mousavi, S., Shayya, N.W. and others (2023) 'Therapeutic Effects of Oral Application of Menthol and Extracts from Tormentil (Potentilla erecta), Raspberry Leaves and Loosestrife during Acute Murine Campylobacteriosis', Pharmaceutics, 15(10), pp. 2410. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics15102410 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15102410 - Fecka, I., Kucharska, A.Z. and Kowalczyk, A (2015) 'Quantification of tannins and related polyphenols in commercial products of tormentil (Potentilla tormentilla)', Phytochemical Analysis, 26(5), pp. 353-366. doi:10.1002/pca.2570 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.2570 - Marcinczyk, N., Jarmoc, D., Leszczynska, A., Zakrzeska, A. and others (2017) 'Antithrombotic Potential of Tormentil Extract in Animal Models', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 8, pp. 534. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00534 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2017.00534 - Melzig, M.F. and Bottger, S (2020) 'Tormentillae rhizoma - Review for an Underestimated European Herbal Drug', Planta Medica, 86(15), pp. 1050-1057. doi:10.1055/a-1129-7214 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1129-7214 - Marcinczyk, N., Golaszewska, A., Gromotowicz-Poplawska, A., Misztal, T. and others (2021) 'Multidirectional Effects of Tormentil Extract on Hemostasis in Experimental Diabetes', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, pp. 682987. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.682987 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.682987 - Hoffmann, J., Gendrisch, F., Schempp, C.M. and Wolfle, U (2020) 'New Herbal Biomedicines for the Topical Treatment of Dermatological Disorders', Biomedicines, 8(2), pp. 27. doi:10.3390/biomedicines8020027 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8020027 - Tomczyk, M., Sosnowska, K., Pleszczynska, M., Strawa, J. and others (2017) 'Hydrogel Containing an Extract of Tormentillae rhizoma for the Treatment of Biofilm-Related Oral Diseases', Natural Product Communications, 12(3), pp. 417-421. doi:10.1177/1934578x1701200328 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578x1701200328 - Subbotina, M.D., Timchenko, V.N., Vorobyov, M.M., Konunova, Y.S., Aleksandrovih, Y.S. and Shushunov, S (2003) 'Effect of oral administration of tormentil root extract (Potentilla tormentilla) on rotavirus diarrhea in children: a randomized, double blind, controlled trial', The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 22(8), pp. 706--711. doi:10.1097/01.inf.0000078355.29647.d0 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1097/01.inf.0000078355.29647.d0 - Wan, P., Chen, H., Guo, Y. and Bai, A.P (2014) 'Advances in treatment of ulcerative colitis with herbs: from bench to bedside', World Journal of Gastroenterology, 20(39), pp. 14099-14104. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i39.14099 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v20.i39.14099 - Wolfle, U., Hoffmann, J., Haarhaus, B., Rao Mittapalli, V. and Schempp, C.M (2017) 'Anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive properties of Potentilla erecta - A traditional medicinal plant from the northern hemisphere', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 204, pp. 86-94. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.03.058 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2017.03.058 - Moss, A.C. and Cheifetz, A.S (2007) 'Reducing the torment of diarrhea: tormentil for active ulcerative colitis', Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 41(9), pp. 797-798. doi:10.1097/MCG.0b013e3180684255 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1097/MCG.0b013e3180684255 - Shushunov, S., Balashov, L., Kravtsova, A., Krasnogorsky, I., Latte, K.P. and Vasiliev, A (2009) 'Determination of acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of Potentilla erecta (Tormentil) rhizomes in rats and mice', Journal of Medicinal Food, 12(5), pp. 1173-1176. doi:10.1089/jmf.2008.0281 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2008.0281 - Kirsch, J., Jung, A., Hille, K., Konig, B., Hannig, C., Kolling-Speer, I., Speer, K. and Hannig, M (2020) 'Effect of fragaria vesca, hamamelis and tormentil on the initial bacterial colonization in situ', Archives of Oral Biology, 118, pp. 104853. doi:10.1016/j.archoralbio.2020.104853 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2020.104853 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'European Union herbal monograph on Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch., rhizoma (Tormentillae rhizoma)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/tormentillae-rhizoma Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/tormentillae-rhizoma - ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy) (n.d.) 'Tormentillae rhizoma (Tormentil) monograph', pp. com. Available at: https://www.escop.com/downloads/tormentil/ Traditional / reference
https://www.escop.com/downloads/tormentil/
- Ignjatijevic, A., Andjic, T., Ljesevic, M., Nikolic, B. and others (2025) 'Assessment of Antioxidant Activity and Dose-Dependent Effect on Genotoxicity/Antigenotoxicity of Pulmonaria officinalis Ethanolic Extract', Pharmaceutics, 17(9), pp. 1134. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics17091134 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17091134 - Krzaczek, T. and others (1995) 'Flavonoid glycosides from aerial parts of Pulmonaria officinalis', Planta Medica, 61(5), pp. 488. doi:10.1055/s-2006-959385 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-959385 - Krzyzanowska-Kowalczyk, J. and others (2019) 'Pulmonaria officinalis L. Extract in Cystic Fibrosis: In Vitro Evidence on Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolates', Molecules, 24(6), pp. 1151. doi:10.3390/molecules24061151 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24061151 - Neagu, E., Radu, G.L., Albu, C. and Paun, G (2016) 'Antioxidant activity, acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibitory potential of Pulmonaria officinalis and Centaurium umbellatum extracts', Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 25(3), pp. 578-585. doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.02.016 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.02.016 - Akram, M. and Rashid, A (2017) 'Anti-coagulant activity of plants: mini review', Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis, 44(3), pp. 406-411. doi:10.1007/s11239-017-1546-5 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11239-017-1546-5 - Byshevskii, A.Sh., Gerbert, I.Ia., Dement'eva, I.A., Leven, P.I. and Chiriat'ev, E.A (1990) 'Nature, properties and the mechanism of the effect on blood coagulation of the preparation obtained from Pulmonaria officinalis', Gematologiia i Transfuziologiia, 35(10), pp. 6-9. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Nature%2C%20properties%20and%20the%20mechanism%20of%20the%20effect%20on%20blood%20coagulation%20of%20the%20preparation%20obtained%20from%20Pulmonaria%20officinalis - Ivanova, D., Gerova, D., Chervenkov, T. and Yankova, T (2005) 'Polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of Bulgarian medicinal plants', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 96(1-2), pp. 145-150. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2004.08.033 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2004.08.033 - Neuhauser, C., Schwarzinger, B., Schwarzinger, C., Feichtinger, M. and others (2024) 'Insulin-Mimetic Activity of Herbal Extracts Identified with Large-Scale Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy', Nutrients, 16(14), pp. 2182. doi:10.3390/nu16142182 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16142182 - Luthy, J., Brauchli, J., Zweifel, U., Schmid, P. and Schlatter, C (1984) 'Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in medicinal plants of Boraginaceae: Borago officinalis L. and Pulmonaria officinalis L', Pharmaceutica Acta Helvetiae, 59(9-10), pp. 242-246. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Pyrrolizidine%20alkaloids%20in%20medicinal%20plants%20of%20Boraginaceae%3A%20Borago%20officinalis%20L.%20and%20Pulmonaria%20officinalis%20L. - Krzyzanowska-Kowalczyk, J., Kowalczyk, M., Ponczek, M.B., Pecio, L., Nowak, P. and Kolodziejczyk-Czepas, J (2021) 'Pulmonaria officinalis and Pulmonaria obscura Extracts as Mitigators of Peroxynitrite-Induced Oxidative Stress and Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors - In Vitro and In Silico Studies', Molecules. doi:10.3390/molecules26030631 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26030631 - Krzyzanowska-Kowalczyk, J. and Pecio, L. and Moldoch, J. and Ludwiczuk, A. and Kowalczyk, M (2018) 'Novel Phenolic Constituents of Pulmonaria officinalis L. LC-MS/MS Comparison of Spring and Autumn Metabolite Profiles', Molecules, 23(9). doi:10.3390/molecules23092277 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23092277 - Krzyzanowska-Kowalczyk, J., Kolodziejczyk-Czepas, J., Kowalczyk, M., Pecio, L., Nowak, P. and Stochmal, A (2017) 'Yunnaneic Acid B, a Component of Pulmonaria officinalis Extract, Prevents Peroxynitrite-Induced Oxidative Stress in Vitro', Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 65(19), pp. 3827--3834. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.7b00718 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.7b00718
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.