Urbanization and human stress lead to ecosystem transformation and accumulation of ecotoxicants, including heavy metals, in plants. Medicinal plants such as large burdock (Arctium lappa L.) and medicinal dandelion (Taraxacum offi cinale L.) are widely used in medicine, but can accumulate both essential and toxic elements. The purpose of the study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the macro- and microelement composition of the roots of large burdock and medicinal dandelion, growing in the natural ecotope of the Voronezh region. Plant roots and soil samples were taken on the territory of the Voronezh State Biosphere Reserve (environmentally friendly zone). Sample preparation was carried out by microwave acid decomposition. Quantitative analysis of 59 elements was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A biological uptake factor (BSC) was calculated to assess the ability of plants to accumulate elements from the soil. Large burdock root is a powerful concentrator with high biochemical activity, selectively accumulating both useful (potassium, phosphorus, zinc, copper) and potentially dangerous (strontium, cadmium, tin) elements, which is important both for its medicinal use and for use as an indicator plant. Dandelion medicinal roots have a less saturated mineral composition, the content of elements (19 mg/g) is more than 2.5 times lower than in burdock of large roots, which indicates a diff erent strategy of mineral nutrition. Medicinal dandelion roots selectively absorb phosphorus and cobalt, and can also be an indicator of lead contamination. The data obtained form the basis for the development of standardized drugs and the justifi ed use of the studied species in herbal medicine and nutritionology.