Wild Ginger vs Calamintha nepeta

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Wild Ginger

Asarum canadense

Digestive

Digestive

Wild Ginger

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Calamintha nepeta

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Low-growing woodland perennial with distinctive kidney-shaped leaves and ginger-like rhizome; used by Indigenous peoples as condiment and medicine.

European aromatic herb used in folk medicine for digestive and respiratory conditions.

Active Compounds

aristolochic acid, methyleugenol, asarone, terpenes, phenylpropanoids

pulegone, isomenthone, menthole, flavonoids

Traditional Uses

Digestive condiment and tonic, Colic and gas relief, Headache treatment, Used by Meskwaki and Potawatomi peoples

digestive disorders, respiratory infections, fever, headache

Modern Uses

Digestive carminative, Aristolochic acid toxicity research (nephrotoxic)

carminative, expectorant, antipyretic, antimicrobial

Adult Dosage

Small culinary amounts only; medicinal use not recommended due to aristolochic acid

2-4g dried herb or 1-2ml tincture daily

Contraindications

Pregnancy, Kidney disease, Long-term use, All significant internal doses

pregnancy - pulegone content, epilepsy, kidney disease

Side Effects

Nephrotoxicity from aristolochic acid, Carcinogenic risk with long-term use

GI upset

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

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

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E