Plant Comparison
Japanese Rose vs White clover
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
Japanese Rose and White clover: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, cancer (anticancer research), cold & flu, …); 4 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Japanese Rose | White clover | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 7/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Japanese Rose |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cold & flu | 7/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Japanese Rose |
| Immune support | 7/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Japanese Rose |
| Inflammation (general) | 7/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Japanese Rose |
| Skin irritation | 7/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Japanese Rose |
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 dominant bioactive class, driving much of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
Studied for immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective and gut-microbiota-modulating effects.
Concentrated in the hips, underpinning their traditional food-tonic use.
Isolated from the root and studied for antioxidant/neuroprotective activity.
Present in small amounts; not significant in normal food or tea use.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from immunomodulator action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antimicrobial action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally safe as a food plant. Rose hips should be used after removing the achenes (seeds and inner hairs), which can cause irritation. Allergic reactions are rare. No significant drug interactions documented.
Generally very safe as a food and in moderate herbal use. Cyanogenic glucosides present in very small amounts — not significant in normal food or tea use. Isoflavones are phytoestrogens (as in red clover) — same precautions apply in hormone-sensitive conditions. Well tolerated by most people.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Dense, thicket-forming deciduous shrub (Rosaceae), 1-1.5 m tall (occasionally to 2 m), with stems densely covered in numerous straight, bristly thorns. Leaves are pinnate with 5-9 deeply veined, glossy, leathery leaflets. Large, fragrant, deep pink to white, five-petalled flowers are followed by large, tomato-red, flattened-globose hips.[2]
Low, creeping perennial herb rooting at the nodes, with trifoliate leaves, each leaflet oval and often marked with a pale chevron. Rounded white (sometimes pink-tinged) flower heads are borne on long stalks above the foliage.[30]
Habitat
Native to coastal eastern Asia (Japan, Korea, China, far-eastern Russia), typically growing on sand dunes and coastal scrub. Widely planted and naturalised as an ornamental and hedging shrub, notably tolerant of salt spray, wind and poor sandy soils, in temperate coastal regions worldwide.[2]
Grows in lawns, pastures, meadows and grassy waste ground; native to Europe and western Asia and now naturalised worldwide, including as a common lawn and forage plant.[30]
Harvesting
Flowers/petals are picked as they open in summer; hips are picked in autumn once fully coloured and slightly softened.[2]
Flowering heads and leaves are picked through the flowering season and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.[30]
Traditional Uses
Rosa rugosa has a long East Asian tradition - particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine, where the flower is known as 'Mei Gui Hua' - as a mood-regulating, digestive and menstrual-cycle-supporting remedy, and the vitamin-C-rich hips are used as a food tonic. Modern research on its flavonoid- and polysaccharide-rich extracts supports broad antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory activity.[2]
White clover has a folk tradition, similar to but lighter than its relative red clover, as an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing remedy and mild expectorant, and modern research on its isoflavones and phenolics has additionally investigated antioxidant, kidney-protective and liver-protective activity.[30, 31, 32]
Preparations
Dried flower and leaf infused in hot water as a traditional mild tonic and expectorant tea.
Dosage
Traditional guidance suggests roughly 3-6 g dried flower per cup as an infusion, or hip tea/syrup at similar strength, taken once or twice daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Not documented
References
Lookalikes Review
References & Sources
- Zhang, Z., Hu, W., Yu, A., Bai, M. and others (2024) 'Physicochemical properties, health benefits, and applications of the polysaccharides from Rosa rugosa Thunb.: A review', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 282(Pt 3), pp. 136975. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136975 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136975 - Dong, X., Li, Y., Yang, K., Zhang, L. and others (2024) 'Total flavonoids from Rosa rugosa Thunb.: A comprehensive review of its extraction and purification process, chemical composition, biological effect and applications', Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, 398(3), pp. 2343-2363. doi:10.1007/s00210-024-03504-x Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-024-03504-x - Kim, J., Lee, S., Park, H. and others (2024) 'Hair Growth Effect and the Mechanisms of Rosa rugosa Extract in DHT-Induced Alopecia Mice Model', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(21), pp. 11362. doi:10.3390/ijms252111362 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111362 - Baiyisaiti, A., Liu, Y., Zhang, J. and Yang, R (2019) 'Rosa rugosa flavonoids exhibited PPAR-alpha agonist-like effects on genetic severe hypertriglyceridemia of mice', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 240, pp. 111952. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.111952 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.111952 - Lei, L., Zhu, Y., Gao, W., Du, X. and others (2023) 'Ethanol Extract of Rosa rugosa Ameliorates Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury via Upregulating Sirt1 and Subsequent Potentiation of LKB1/AMPK/Nrf2 Cascade in Hepatocytes', Molecules, 28(21), pp. 7307. doi:10.3390/molecules28217307 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28217307 - Dai, C., Zheng, X., Zhu, J., Zhang, H. and others (2025) 'Polysaccharides derived from Rosa rugosa cv. Plena ameliorate colorectal cancer by regulating intestinal microbiota composition and lipid metabolism pathway', NPJ Science of Food, 9(1), pp. 176. doi:10.1038/s41538-025-00544-2 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-025-00544-2 - Chen, M., Peng, Y., Zhu, R., Luo, X. and others (2025) 'Therapeutic potential of Rosa rugosa polysaccharide and its nanofiber membrane in psoriasis via PI3K-AKT/mTOR pathway inhibition', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 320(Pt 2), pp. 145724. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.145724 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.145724 - Park, C.K., Choi, S.J., Kim, C.R., Shin, H.R. and others (2025) 'Ethanolic Extract of Rosa rugosa Roots and Its Bioactive Compound, Oleamide, Prevented Amyloid beta-Induced Oxidative Stress and Improved Behavioral Tests in Mice', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(9), pp. 4214. doi:10.3390/ijms26094214 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26094214 - Ashraf, S., Ashraf, M.Z., Miao, B. and Zhao, X (2025) 'Optimizing Extraction Methods for Bioactive Polysaccharides from Rosa rugosa and Rosa damascena', Foods, 14(18), pp. 3211. doi:10.3390/foods14183211 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14183211 - Liu, X., Liu, H., Zhang, Y. and others (2022) 'Rosa rugosa polysaccharide induces autophagy-mediated apoptosis in human cervical cancer cells via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 212, pp. 257-274. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.05.023 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.05.023 - Chrubasik, C., Roufogalis, B.D., Müller-Ladner, U. and Chrubasik, S (2008) 'A systematic review on the Rosa canina effect and efficacy profiles', 22(6), pp. 725--733. doi:10.1002/ptr.2400 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2400 - Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=A%20Modern%20Herbal - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - 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
- Ngangom, L., Venugopal, D. and Pandey, N (2024) 'Investigation of Trifolium repens L. from the Indian Himalayan region as a phyto-therapeutic agent', Natural Product Research, 38(24), pp. 4468-4478. doi:10.1080/14786419.2023.2299319 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2023.2299319 - Ahmad, S. and Zeb, A (2020) 'Phytochemical profile and pharmacological properties of Trifolium repens', Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 32(3), pp. 20200015. doi:10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0015 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0015 - Sarno, F., Pepe, G., Termolino, P., Carafa, V. and others (2020) 'Trifolium repens Blocks Proliferation in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia via the BCR-ABL/STAT5 Pathway', Cells, 9(2), pp. 379. doi:10.3390/cells9020379 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9020379 - Ahmad, S. and Zeb, A (2020) 'Nephroprotective property of Trifolium repens leaf extract against paracetamol-induced kidney damage in mice', 3 Biotech, 10(12), pp. 541. doi:10.1007/s13205-020-02539-0 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-020-02539-0 - Kolodziejczyk-Czepas, J (2012) 'Trifolium species-derived substances and extracts--biological activity and prospects for medicinal applications', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 143(1), pp. 14-23. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.06.048 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.06.048 - Chen, Y.H., Chen, P., Wang, Y., Yang, C.H., Wu, X., Wu, C.J., Luo, L., Wang, Q., Niu, C. and Yao, J.Y (2019) 'Structural characterization and anti-inflammatory activity evaluation of chemical constituents in the extract of Trifolium repens L', Journal of Food Biochemistry, 43(9), pp. e12981. doi:10.1111/jfbc.12981 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.12981 - Habibi Zadeh, S.K., Farahpour, M.R. and Kar, H.H (2020) 'The effect of topical administration of an ointment prepared from Trifolium repens hydroethanolic extract on the acceleration of excisional cutaneous wound healing', Wounds, 32(9), pp. 253-261. doi:10.25270/wnds/2020.253261 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.25270/wnds/2020.253261 - Kicel, A. and Wolbis, M (2012) 'Study on the phenolic constituents of the flowers and leaves of Trifolium repens L', Natural Product Research, 26(21), pp. 2050-2054. doi:10.1080/14786419.2011.637217 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2011.637217 - Ahmad, S. and Zeb, A (2019) 'Effects of phenolic compounds from aqueous extract of Trifolium repens against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice', Journal of Food Biochemistry, 43(9), pp. e12963. doi:10.1111/jfbc.12963 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.12963 - Borczak, B. and Szewczyk, A. and Domagała, D. and Kapusta-Duch, J. and Leszczyńska, T. and Kotuła, M. and Grulova, D (2024) 'Potential Antidiabetic, Antioxidative and Antiproliferative Properties of Functional Wheat Flour Muffins Enriched with White Clover Flowers (Trifolium repens L.)', Int J Mol Sci, 25(18). doi:10.3390/ijms25189909 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25189909 - Rawat, P. and Kumar, B. and Misra, A. and Singh, S.P. and Singh, S.P. and Srivastava, S (2025) 'Effect of hydrolysed Trifolium repens L. extract on menopause-induced obesity and depressive symptoms: an in vitro and in vivo approach', Nat Prod Res, pp. 1-8. doi:10.1080/14786419.2025.2560636 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2025.2560636 - Parić, A. and Mesic, A. and Mahmutović-Dizdarević, I. and Jerković-Mujkić, A. and Žujo, B. and Bašić, N. and Pustahija, F (2024) 'Bioactive potential of Trifolium repens L. essential oil', J Environ Sci Health B, 59(9), pp. 584-594. doi:10.1080/03601234.2024.2396730 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/03601234.2024.2396730 - Renda, G. and Yalçın, F.N. and Nemutlu, E. and Akkol, E.K. and Süntar, I. and Keleş, H. and Ina, H. and Çalış, I. and Ersöz, T (2013) 'Comparative assessment of dermal wound healing potentials of various Trifolium L. extracts and determination of their isoflavone contents as potential active ingredients', J Ethnopharmacol, 148(2), pp. 423-32. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.04.031 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.04.031 - Ahmed, I.A.M. and Matthäus, B. and Özcan, M.M. and Juhaimi, F.A. and Ghafoor, K. and Babiker, E.E. and Osman, M.A. and Alqah, H.A.S (2020) 'Determination of Bioactive Lipid and Antioxidant Activity of Onobrychis, Pimpinella, Trifolium, and Phleum spp. Seed and Oils', J Oleo Sci, 69(11), pp. 1367-1371. doi:10.5650/jos.ess20153 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.5650/jos.ess20153 - Harlow, B.E. and Flythe, M.D. and Goodman, J.P. and Ji, H. and Aiken, G.E (2022) 'Isoflavone Containing Legumes Mitigate Ergot Alkaloid-Induced Vasoconstriction in Goats (Capra hircus)', Animals (Basel), 12(6). doi:10.3390/ani12060750 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12060750 - Shang, H. and Li, R. and Wu, H. and Sun, Z (2019) 'Polysaccharides from Trifolium repens L. extracted by different methods and extraction condition optimization', Sci Rep, 9(1), pp. 6353. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-42877-5 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-42877-5 - Prati, S. and Baravelli, V. and Fabbri, D. and Schwarzinger, C. and Brandolini, V. and Maietti, A. and Tedeschi, P. and Benvenuti, S. and Macchia, M. and Marotti, I. and Bonetti, A. and Catizone, P. and Dinelli, G (2007) 'Composition and content of seed flavonoids in forage and grain legume crops', J Sep Sci, 30(4), pp. 491-501. doi:10.1002/jssc.200600383 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/jssc.200600383 - Woolsey, I.D. and Zeller, W.E. and Blomstrand, B.M. and Øines, Ø. and Enemark, H.L (2022) 'Effects of selected condensed tannins on Cryptosporidium parvum growth and proliferation in HCT-8 cell cultures', Exp Parasitol, 241, pp. 108353. doi:10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108353 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108353 - Hou, K. and Xue, Q. and Shi, L. and Liu, S. and Zhong, X. and Liu, Y. and Wang, C (2026) 'Identification of Trifolium repens as a New Source of Glycyrrhetinic Acid: Pathway Elucidation and Heterologous Reconstruction in Yeast', J Agric Food Chem, 74(19), pp. 15182-15194. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.6c02001 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.6c02001 - Tundis, R. and Marrelli, M. and Conforti, F. and Tenuta, M.C. and Bonesi, M. and Menichini, F. and Loizzo, M.R (2015) 'Trifolium pratense and T. repens (Leguminosae): Edible Flower Extracts as Functional Ingredients', Foods, 4(3), pp. 338-348. doi:10.3390/foods4030338 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods4030338 - Başar, Y. and Yıldız, İ. and HOSAFLIOĞLU, İ. and Azeroual, A. and Erenler, R (2026) 'The Phytochemical Content and DPPH Activity of Trifolium repens L. Methanol Extract, and In Silico Studies', Adıyaman üniversitesi fen bilimleri dergisi, 16(1), pp. 61-76. doi:10.37094/adyujsci.1813336 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.37094/adyujsci.1813336 - Ayoubi, S.A. and Abdelwahab, I. and Ela, M.A. and Lakany, A.E. and Raafat, K (2026) 'Advanced Hybrid-Green Ultrasound–Infrared–Microwave Trifolium repens Essential oil Isolation with Multi-Target Ethnomedicine Bioactivity against Neuropathy, Inflammation and Multidrug-Resistant Infection', Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, 34(2). doi:10.38212/2224-6614.3595 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.38212/2224-6614.3595 - Ahmad, S. and Zeb, A. and Ayaz, M. and Murkovic, M (2019) 'Characterization of phenolic compounds using UPLC–HRMS and HPLC–DAD and anti-cholinesterase and anti-oxidant activities of Trifolium repens L. leaves', European Food Research and Technology, 246(3), pp. 485-496. doi:10.1007/s00217-019-03416-8 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-019-03416-8 - Petrović, M. and Stanković, M. and Anđelković, B. and Babić, S. and Zornić, V. and Vasiljević, S. and Stevanović, Z.D (2016) 'Quality Parameters and Antioxidant Activity of Three Clover Species in Relation to the Livestock Diet', Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 44(1), pp. 201-208. doi:10.15835/nbha44110144 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha44110144 - Jakubczyk, K. and Łukomska, A. and Gutowska, I. and Kochman, J. and Janił, J. and Janda, K (2021) 'Edible Flowers Extracts as a Source of Bioactive Compounds with Antioxidant Properties—In Vitro Studies', Applied Sciences, 11(5), pp. 2120-2120. doi:10.3390/app11052120 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052120 - Ngangom, L. and Venugopal, D. and Pandey, N. and Kumar, N (2022) 'In-silico screening and identification of potential bioactive compounds of Trifolium repens against pathogenic bacterial target proteins', Materials Today Proceedings, 73, pp. 142-150. doi:10.1016/j.matpr.2022.09.501 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.09.501 - Amer, B. and Juul, L. and Møller, A.H. and Møller, H.S. and Dalsgaard, T.K (2020) 'Improved solubility of proteins from white and red clover – inhibition of redox enzymes', International Journal of Food Science & Technology, 56(1), pp. 302-311. doi:10.1111/ijfs.14632 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.14632 - Pap, N. and Granato, D. and Järvenpää, E. and Tienaho, J. and Marnila, P. and Hellström, J. and Pihlava, J. and Franco, M. and Stefański, T. and Rinne, M (2024) 'Biorefining of legume and grass biomasses: Technological properties and bioactivities of the green juice', Future Foods, 9, pp. 100331-100331. doi:10.1016/j.fufo.2024.100331 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fufo.2024.100331 - Ahn, C. and Lee, J. and Park, M.J. and Kim, J. and Yang, J. and Yoo, Y. and Jeung, E (2020) 'Cytostatic effects of plant essential oils on human skin and lung cells', Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 19(3), pp. 2008-2018. doi:10.3892/etm.2020.8460 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2020.8460 - Bhattacharya, S. et al (2013) 'Review of the botanical, phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological properties of white clover (Trifolium repens L.)', 7(7), pp. 583--588. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Review%20of%20the%20botanical%2C%20phytochemical%2C%20pharmacological%20and%20toxicological%20properties%20of%20white%20clover%20%28Trifolium%20repens%20L.%29 - Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=A%20Modern%20Herbal - Klaiber, I. et al (2002) 'Health benefits of isoflavones from clover species', 16(1), pp. 1--8. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Health%20benefits%20of%20isoflavones%20from%20clover%20species - 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
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.