Petasites japonicus vs Poncirus trifoliata

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Petasites japonicus

Digestive

Digestive

Petasites japonicus

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Poncirus trifoliata

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Japanese edible plant with large leaves; young stalks eaten as vegetable; traditional use for cough and pain.

Cold-hardy citrus relative; immature fruit (Zhi Shi and Zhi Ke) essential TCM herbs for digestion and stagnation.

Active Compounds

petasin, furanopetasin, flavonoids, pyrrolizidine alkaloids

naringenin, hesperidin, flavonoids, limonoids, synephrine, essential oils

Traditional Uses

cough, constipation, pain relief, food source (fuki)

digestive stagnation, constipation, chest tightness, phlegm, poor digestion

Modern Uses

antispasmodic, digestive support, traditional food

digestive stimulant, prokinetic, expectorant, qi-moving in TCM

Adult Dosage

Young stalks as food; PA-free extract for medicinal use

3-10g dried immature fruit tea 2x/day

Contraindications

pyrrolizidine alkaloids in raw plant, pregnancy

pregnancy, spleen deficiency with no stagnation, hypotension

Side Effects

liver toxicity if PA not removed

GI cramps, hypotension

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E