Scientific Name: Agrimony
Other Names: Ackerkraut, Agrimonia, Agrimonia eupatoria, Church Steeples, Cocklebur, Funffing, Herbe de Saint-Guillaume, Liverwort, Stickwort

Who is this for?

Uses

Usually, agrimony is taken by mouth to treat diarrhea and upset stomach. Because it contains tannins, which have astringent properties, agrimony may help to shrink and tighten the top layers of skin or mucous membranes and also to reduce secretions. Both of these effects may give agrimony some ability to treat minor gastrointestinal irritation. Historically, agrimony also has been taken orally to treat diabetes. In recent animal studies, it has shown some effectiveness for lowering blood sugar, apparently by increasing the production of insulin. Oral agrimony may also reduce blood pressure slightly--especially in high doses. All of these uses are based mostly on tradition, however. No scientific studies of humans have been conducted to confirm or deny them.

The astringent properties of agrimony may be useful when applied topically, too. A solution made from it may be used as a mouthwash or gargle for sore throats and painful gums. Agrimony soothes inflammation when it is applied to minor skin conditions such as mild dermatitis, insect bites, first-degree burns, scrapes, and sunburn. Solutions of agrimony have also been used as vaginal douches and applied as treatments for hemorrhoids. It is thought to have slightly antibacterial and antiviral properties, but these possible effects are not well-studied.

Precautions

Very little information is available on how agrimony might affect a developing fetus or an infant. Therefore, its use is not recommended during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.

Up to 10% of agrimony is composed of chemicals known as tannins. Tannins are thought not to be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, but kidney and/or liver damage has occurred in individuals who took large oral doses of products containing tannins. Although agrimony has not been studied specifically, it does contain significant quantities of tannins. Therefore, individuals with kidney or liver conditions should not use agrimony.

The tannins in agrimony promote constipation, so individuals who are constipated or who are prone to be constipated should not use it.

What side effects should I watch for?

Major Side Effects

Although no reports of major side effects from agrimony were found in the literature, other oral preparations that are high in tannin content have been associated with kidney or liver damage. People with kidney or liver conditions should not take or apply agrimony products.

A case study of several individuals who regularly used large amounts of an oral product with a tannin content similar to agrimony's for many years, found they had a higher incidence of tongue cancer and/or lip cancer than expected. Although no evidence has been published to indicate that agrimony may cause any type of cancer, cancers of the nose and esophagus may also be more likely to develop in individuals who use large amounts of oral tannin-containing products for long amounts of time.

No reports of low blood sugar or low blood pressure caused by agrimony have been published, but taking it in very large amounts or for very long periods of time may result in hypoglycemia (blood sugar that is too low) or hypotension (blood pressure that is too low). Symptoms of low blood sugar may include shakiness, sweating, confusion, distorted speech, and loss of muscle control. If not corrected, low blood sugar can lead to unconsciousness and even death. Signs of low blood pressure may include blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, and light-headedness or fainting.

Less Severe Side Effects

Both oral and topical agrimony can make unprotected skin more sensitive to sunlight or artificial light in sun tanning parlors. If agrimony is taken or applied, sunscreen should be used, as well.

Cases of allergic reactions such as itchy rashes have been reported in individuals who handled fresh or dried agrimony plants. Because agrimony belongs to the same family of plants as roses, individuals with allergies to roses or related plants may also be sensitive to agrimony.

What interactions should I watch for?

Prescription Drugs

In theory, very large oral doses of agrimony taken consistently for long periods of time could increase the time blood needs to clot. When it is taken with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, the effect of the drug may be increased, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding.

• Antiplatelet drugs include clopidogrel and Ticlid
• Anticoagulants include heparin and warfarin

Because agrimony may have a small lowering effect on blood sugar, it may increase the effectiveness of insulin and oral medications used for the treatment of diabetes. Individuals who are taking medications for diabetes, should talk to their doctors or pharmacists before using agrimony.

Due to its possible ability to lower blood pressure, taking agrimony orally may increase the effects of drugs that also lower blood pressure. Some blood pressure-lowering drugs are:

• ACE inhibitors such as captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, and lisinopril
• Beta blockers such as atenolol, metoprolol, and propranolol
• Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine, nifedipine, and verapamil
• Diuretics such as Dyazide, furosemide, and hydrochlorothiazide

Non-prescription Drugs

In theory, very large oral doses of agrimony taken consistently for long periods of time may decrease the ability of blood to clot after an injury. Aspirin can also delay clotting, so agrimony should not be taken orally at the same time aspirin is being taken.

Herbals

Theoretically, if agrimony is used with other herbs that may affect blood clotting, excess bleeding may occur. Some of the most common herbal products that might inhibit blood clotting are:

• Danshen
• Devil's Claw
• Eleuthero
• Garlic
• Ginger (in high amounts)
• Ginkgo
• Horse Chestnut
• Panax Ginseng
• Papain
• Red Clover
• Saw Palmetto

Because agrimony may decrease blood sugar levels, taking it with other blood sugar-lowering herbal products may slightly increase the risk of hypoglycemia--blood sugar that is too low. Herbals that may reduce blood sugar include:

• Eleuthero
• Fenugreek
• Ginger (in high amounts)
• Kudzu
• Panax Ginseng

Agrimony is thought to lower blood pressure slightly. If agrimony is taken at the same time as other herbals that may also lower blood pressure, the risk that blood pressure may become too low may increase. Signs of low blood pressure may not be apparent, but confusion, dizziness, fainting, headache, and irregular heartbeat could indicate that blood pressure is too low. Other herbals that may decrease blood pressure include:

• Coenzyme Q-10
• Elecampane
• Ginger
• Mistletoe
• Vinca minor
• Yarrow

Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how agrimony interacts with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions.

Should I take it?

Agrimony grows as a perennial weed in swampy areas and along roadsides in most of North America and Europe. During the summer, the small yellow flowers that appear on long spikes have a spicy-fruity scent. Alternating pairs of large and small leaves surround fuzzy stems that may grow up to 4 feet tall, although the plants most common in North America are generally shorter. The seeds of agrimony are topped by small spines--forming "cockleburs", which stick to clothing or animal fur. While agrimony is flowering, the entire plant is cut off above the roots, then dried and chopped to be used in medicine.

The use of agrimony in medicine can be traced to the ancient Greeks, who used it to treat eye conditions. In traditional Chinese medicine, agrimony has been used to eliminate tape worms and to treat other digestive conditions. Historically, it has also been used for a number of serious conditions, such as gallbladder disease and tuberculosis, but no scientific studies support these uses. Commercially, agrimony is grown for medical use as well as for a flavoring agent and for a bright yellow dye. Sometimes, the flowers are used to give specialty beers a fruity taste.

Dosage and Administration

Oral doses for agrimony range from 2000 mg (2 grams) to 6000 mg (6 grams) per day. Commercially, oral agrimony is most commonly available as liquid dose forms such as extracts and tinctures. Extracts are concentrated liquid preparations usually made by soaking chopped or mashed plant parts in a liquid such as alcohol, and then straining out the solid parts. Tinctures are less concentrated than extracts, but they are prepared in similar ways.

Agrimony tea may be made by placing about one teaspoonful of dried agrimony into a cup and covering it with 8 ounces of boiling water. After soaking for 5 minutes to 15 minutes, the solid particles should be strained out. Agrimony tea may be consumed three times a day to relieve stomach upset or diarrhea. Because it has a pleasant, tangy flavor, agrimony tea is often used as a beverage.

Agrimony tea can also be used as a mouthwash or a skin wash as often as needed. It may also be made into a poultice, which is usually a soft cloth that has been soaked in a medication, possibly heated, and applied to an irritated area of skin surface.

Summary

Today, agrimony is taken orally to help relieve diarrhea and upset stomach. Topically, it soothes minor skin irritation. It may also be gargled or rinsed in the mouth to relieve sore throat and mouth irritation, or used as a vaginal douche or wash for hemorrhoids.

Risks

Due to a slight possibility of kidney and/or liver damage from high doses of tannins taken for long periods of time, individuals with kidney or liver conditions should not take agrimony. Pregnant and breast-feeding women and individuals who tend to have constipation should also avoid it.

Side Effects

Taking or applying agrimony has increased sensitivity to natural and artificial sunlight for some individuals. Others have experienced an allergic skin rash from touching it.

Interactions

A small chance exists that taking agrimony in large doses or for long times could interfere with the effects of drugs or herbals that make the blood less likely to clot, insulin, drugs or herbals that lower blood sugar, and drugs or herbals that lower blood pressure.

Last Revised September 25, 2007

References

Anon: Agrimony. In: DerMarderosian A, Beutler JA, eds. Facts and Comparisons: The Review of Natural Products. St. Louis, MO, Facts and Comparisons. August 1995.

Anon. Agrimony treatment of teniasis. Chinese Medical Journal. 1974;54:344-345.

Blumenthal M, Gruenwald J, Hall T, Rister RS, eds. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Austin, Texas: American Botanical Council; 1998.

Copland A, Nahar L, Tomlinson CT, Hamilton V, Middleton M, Kumarasamy Y, Sarker SD. Antibacterial and free radical scavenging activity of the seeds of Agrimonia eupatoria. Fitoterapia. 2003;74(1-2):133-135.

Correia HS, Batista MT, Dinis TC. The activity of an extract and fraction of Agrimonia eupatoria L. against reactive species. Biofactors. 2007;29(2-3):91-104.

Gray AM, Flatt PR. Actions of the traditional anti-diabetic plant, Agrimony eupatoria (agrimony): effects on hyperglycaemia, cellular glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. British Journal of Nutrition. 1998;80(1):109-114.

Grieve M. Agrimony. In: A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publishers, 1971. Available at: http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/mgmh.html Posted 1995. Accessed October 14, 2004.

Haughton C. Agrimonia eupatoria (L.). Revised September 23, 2001. Available at: http://www.purplesage.org.uk/profiles/agrimony.htm Accessed March 28, 2003.

Herbs2000. Agrimony. No date given. Available at: http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_agrimony.htm. Accessed October 14, 2004.

Hoffmann DL. Agrimony. Herbal Materia Medica. No date given. Available at: http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?PageType=article&ID=1587. Accessed October 14, 2004.

Jellin JM, Gregory P, Batz F, Hitchens K, et al, eds. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 3rd Edition. Stockton CA: Therapeutic Research Facility, 2000.

McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Product Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 1997.

O'Donovan WJ. Dermatitis bullosa striata pratensis. Agrimony dermatitis. British Journal of Dermatology and Syphilis. 1942;54.39-46.

Peirce A. The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York: Stonesong Press; 1999.

Swanston-Flatt SK, Day C, Bailey CJ, Flatt PR. Traditional plant treatments for diabetes. Studies in normal and streptozotocin diabetic mice. Diabetologia. 1990;33(8):462-464.

Venskutonis PR, Skemaite M, Ragazinskiene O. Radical scavenging capacity of Agrimonia eupatoria and Agrimonia procera. Fitoterapia. 2007;78(2):166-168.

Willhite LA, O'Connell MB. Urogenital atrophy: prevention and treatment. Pharmacotherapy. 2001;21(4):464-480.

Last Revised September 25, 2007

Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.

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