Agrimony Information - Side Effects, Uses and Benefits

Taxonomic Class

Rosaceae

Common Trade Names

Potter's Piletabs (England)

Common Forms

Available as tablets and teas.

Source

The leaves, stems, and flowers of the dried herb Agrimonia eupatoria are used to make compresses, gargles, and teas. Agrimony commonly grows in the Western United States, Europe, and Asia.

Chemical Components

Active elements in agrimony include agrimonolide, ascorbic acid, an essential oil, flavonoids (luteolin and apigenin), polysaccharides, silicic acid, tannins (ellagitannins and trace gallotannins), urosolic acid, and vitamins B1 and K. The seeds contain linoleic, linolenic, and oleic acids.

Actions

Anecdotal reference to stringent and mild antiseptic properties are reported. In one animal study, agrimony extracts decreased the blood glucose level and slowed the rate of weight loss in mice with streptozocin-induced diabetes.

Reported Uses

Agrimony is claimed to be useful for many purposes, such as diarrhea, mucositis, pharyngitis, and other inflammatory conditions, but human clinical trials involving agrimony are lacking.

Dosage

Little is known about doses of agrimony for any reported use. One source suggests adding 2 to 4 tsp of dried leaves per cup of water to make a tea that can be taken once daily. Other sources suggest using agrimony in a poultice applied topically to treat sores.

Adverse reactions

Skin: photosensitivity.

Other: hypersensitivity reactions.

Interactions

None reported.

Contraindications And Precautions

Agrimony is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to plants in the rose family and in pregnant or breast-feeding patients.

Special Considerations

Monitor the patient for dermatologic reactions, especially if agrimony is being applied topically.

Inform the patient that little scientific data about this herb exist. Although no known chemical interactions have been reported, consideration must be given to the pharmacologic properties of the herbal product and the potential for interference with the intended therapeutic effect of conventional drugs.

Caution the patient to avoid strong sunlight; agrimony may predispose patients to sunburn.

Points of Interest

Agrimony has been used as a dye. It is pale yellow in September and deep yellow later in the year.

Commentary

This plant is not recommended for medicinal use because little is known about its safety and efficacy.