Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) Research

Latin Name: Agrimonia eupatoria

Family Name: Rosaceae

Agrimony is an herb historically used to treat wounds for its topical anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities.  It is also ingested as a diuretic, for digestive issues, and for sore throat.  In one human study, agrimony showed potential liver protective activities.  In another human study, drinking the tea for one month reduced lipid levels, inflammation, and had an antioxidant effect in participants.  It is also an antioxidant and may help with diabetic issues.  More research is warranted.

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represents a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action.  This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

GENERAL

• Cichoke, A. PhD. (2001).  Secrets of Native American Herbal Remedies.  Avery.
• Natural Medicines.  (2015).  Agrimony monograph.  Retrieved in March, 2018.  Retrieved from https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com
• Ulbricht, C.  Natural Standard.  Herb & Supplement Guide.  An Evidence Based Reference.  Mosby, Elsevier.
• Scientific studies of agrimony were reviewed.  Research showed antibacterial, antiviral, wound healing, antitumor, analgesic, immune stimulating, antioxidant, antidiabetic, liver protective, and digestive aid capabilities.  Al-Snafi, A. E. (2015). The pharmacological and therapeutic importance of Agrimonia eupatoria-A review. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, 5(2), 112-117.

SAFETY

• Possibly increases sensitivity to sunlight (Cichoke, 2001).
• Excessive use can cause digestive upset due to high tannin content (Cichoke, 2001).  Chronic ingestion can cause nephrotoxicity (Ulbricht, 2010).
• Avoid during pregnancy and lactation; may affect menstrual cycle (Natural Medicines, 2015).
• May have an estrogenic effect.  Avoid with birth control, estrogenic cancers, and hormone therapy (Ulbricht, 2010).
• May interfere with diabetic medications (Natural Medicines, 2015).
• Avoid with drugs for hypertension, may lower blood pressure (Ulbricht, 2010).
• Due to isocoumarin content, avoid with bleeding disorders, drugs that thin the blood, and surgery  (Ulbricht, 2010).

HYPOLIPIDEMIC

• Consumption of agrimony tea for one month reduced lipid levels and inflammation, and showed antioxidant activity in participants.  From:  Ivanova, D., Vankova, D., & Nashar, M. (2013). Agrimonia eupatoria tea consumption in relation to markers of inflammation, oxidative status and lipid metabolism in healthy subjects. Archives of physiology and biochemistry, 119(1), 32-37.

ANTIBACTERIAL

• Extracts from the seeds of agrimony demonstrated antibacterial and antioxidant activity in vitro.  From:  Copland, A., Nahar, L., Tomlinson, C. T. M., Hamilton, V., Middleton, M., Kumarasamy, Y., & Sarker, S. D. (2003). Antibacterial and free radical scavenging activity of the seeds of Agrimonia eupatoria. Fitoterapia, 74(1-2), 133-135.

ANTIVIRAL

• Extracts from the stems and leaves of the agrimony plant inhibited the hepatitis B virus in vitro.  Extracts retrieved in mid July were the strongest.  From:  Kwon, D. H., Kwon, H. Y., Kim, H. J., Chang, E. J., Kim, M. B., Yoon, S. K., … & Choi, Y. K. (2005). Inhibition of hepatitis B virus by an aqueous extract of Agrimonia eupatoria L. Phytotherapy Research, 19(4), 355-358.

ANTIOXIDANT

• Using a smaller particle size increased antioxidant power in extracts made from agrimony, sage and savoury.  From:  Gião, M. S., Pereira, C. I., Fonseca, S. C., Pintado, M. E., & Malcata, F. X. (2009). Effect of particle size upon the extent of extraction of antioxidant power from the plants Agrimonia eupatoria, Salvia sp. and Satureja montana. Food Chemistry, 117(3), 412-416.

LIVER PROTECTIVE

• In this double blind eight week study with 69 participants, consumption of agrimony showed liver protective activities without adverse side effects.  From:  Cho, Y. M., Kwon, J. E., Lee, M., Lea, Y., Jeon, D. Y., Kim, H. J., & Kang, S. C. (2018). Agrimonia eupatoria L.(Agrimony) Extract Alters Liver Health in Subjects with Elevated Alanine Transaminase Levels: A Controlled, Randomized, and Double-Blind Trial. Journal of medicinal food, 21(3), 282-288.

By: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 10/21/18