Plant Profile

Agrimony

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 14, 2026

Agrimonia eupatoria

Family: Rosaceae · Parts used: Aerial parts (flowering herb) · Also known as: Common agrimony, Church steeples, Sticklewort

Common names in 22 European languages →

The complete database record: 4 documented constituents, 8 pharmacological actions, 11 traditional / indicated uses, with 19 cited sources.

Botanical Description

Slender, downy perennial herb with a basal rosette of pinnately compound leaves and a single, unbranched, upright flowering stem. The leaflets are toothed, alternating large and small, and silvery-downy beneath. Small, five-petalled, bright yellow flowers are borne closely along a slender terminal spike (raceme), opening a few at a time from the base upwards, giving the old name 'church steeples'. After flowering, small bristly, hooked burrs form that cling to clothing and animal fur for dispersal.^{[1, 13]}

Height: 30-100 cm

Habit: Erect, downy perennial herb

Leaves: Pinnately compound, toothed leaflets of alternating large and small size, silvery-downy beneath

Flowers: Small, five-petalled, bright yellow flowers crowded on a slender terminal spike

Stem: Single, unbranched, upright, downy flowering stem

Root: Woody rootstock

Fruit: Small bristly, hooked burr that clings to clothing and fur

Flowering Period: June-September

Habitat & Distribution

Grows in dry grassland, hedgerows, field margins, roadsides and open woodland edges on well-drained, often calcareous soils; native and common throughout Europe, temperate Asia and North Africa.^{[1, 13]}

Harvesting

The flowering aerial parts are cut in summer, at the start of flowering, and dried promptly in a warm, airy, shaded place.^[13]

Parts: Aerial parts (flowering herb)

Season: Summer, at the start of flowering

Key Constituents

Tannins (condensed and hydrolysable, including agrimoniin)^{[1, 6, 9, 13]}

Responsible for the characteristic astringency.

Tannins

Flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin, quercetin and their glycosides)^{[1, 9, 14]}

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents.

FlavonoidsGlycosidesQuercetinApigeninLuteolin

Phenolic acids^{[1, 10]}

Contribute to antioxidant activity.

Phenolic acids

Triterpenes, volatile oil and silica^{[1, 14]}

Minor constituents of the herb.

Essential (volatile) oilTerpenes / terpenoidsSilica

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[1, 2, 4, 7, 11, 13, 14, 16]}

Anti-inflammatory gargle (mild inflammation of the mouth and throat / sore throat)

Anticancer (preclinical)^[17]

Agrimonia eupatoria ethanolic extract is cytotoxic to breast, colon, lung and cervical cancer cells and inhibits the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway (preclinical/in silico).

Antidiarrhoeal^{[1, 13, 14]}

Astringent (relief of mild diarrhoea)

Antioxidant^{[1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 18]}

Astringent^{[1, 13, 14]}

Astringent (relief of mild diarrhoea)

Bitter digestive tonic / stomachic^{[1, 14, 18]}

Mild bitter digestive tonic (indigestion)

Digestive aid^{[1, 14, 18]}

Mild bitter digestive tonic (indigestion)

Vulnerary (wound healing)^{[1, 2, 13, 19]}

Vulnerary (minor skin inflammation and small superficial wounds, topical)

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Loss of appetite^{[1, 14]}Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from bitter-tonic action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0684

Evidence: 2

Label: Loss of appetite

more plants for loss of appetite →detailed sources →

Arthritis / joint pain^{[1, 2, 13, 14, 16]}Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Bloating^{[1, 14]}Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from digestive action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0684

Evidence: 2

Label: Bloating

more plants for bloating →detailed sources →

Bruising^{[1, 2, 13, 19]}Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from vulnerary action

Evidence: 2

Label: Bruising

more plants for bruising →detailed sources →

Cancer (anticancer research)^[17]Preliminary · 2/10

Agrimonia eupatoria ethanolic extract shows dose-dependent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 (breast), HT-29 (colon), A549 (lung) and HeLa (cervical) cancer cells and inhibits the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/COX-2/MMP-2 axis (preclinical).

Evidence: 2

Label: Cancer (anticancer research)

more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →

Diarrhoea^{[1, 13, 14]}Preliminary · 2/10

Astringent (relief of mild diarrhoea)

Evidence: 2

Label: Diarrhoea

more plants for diarrhoea →detailed sources →

Indigestion^{[1, 14, 18]}Preliminary · 2/10

Mild bitter digestive tonic (indigestion)

Evidence: 2

Label: Indigestion

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[1, 2, 13, 14, 16, 19]}Preliminary · 2/10

Anti-inflammatory gargle (mild inflammation of the mouth and throat / sore throat); Vulnerary (minor skin inflammation and small superficial wounds, topical)

Evidence: 2

Label: Inflammation (general)

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[1, 13, 14]}Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from astringent action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0680

Evidence: 2

Label: Skin irritation

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Sore throat^{[1, 2, 13, 14]}Preliminary · 2/10

Anti-inflammatory gargle (mild inflammation of the mouth and throat / sore throat)

Evidence: 2

Label: Sore throat

more plants for sore throat →detailed sources →

Wounds^{[1, 2, 13, 19]}Preliminary · 2/10

Vulnerary (minor skin inflammation and small superficial wounds, topical)

Evidence: 2

Label: Wounds

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Traditional Use & History

Agrimony has a long folk history as an astringent remedy for mild diarrhoea, as a gargle for sore throats and mild mouth/throat inflammation, and as a mild bitter digestive tonic; it has also been applied topically to minor wounds and skin inflammation. It is officially recognised in the European Union herbal monograph for traditional use in mild diarrhoea and mild inflammation of the mouth or throat.^{[1, 13]}

Preparations

Infusion^[13]

Dried flowering herb infused in hot water, taken internally for mild diarrhoea and digestive complaints or used as a gargle/mouthwash for sore throat.

Poultice/compress^[13]

Crushed or infused herb applied externally to minor wounds and skin inflammation.

Dosage

Infusion^[13]

The EU herbal monograph gives 1.5-4 g of the comminuted herb in 250 mL (or less) of boiling water as an infusion, 2-3 times daily, in adolescents, adults and elderly. As a gargle for mild oral or throat inflammation, 1.5 g in 150 mL of boiling water 2-4 times daily, or a decoction of 3-4.5 g in 250 mL 2-3 times daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Tincture^[13]

The EU herbal monograph gives 1-4 mL three times daily (orally, or as a gargle for oral and throat use). Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^[13]Info

Traditional-use indication only: if diarrhoea persists longer than 3-4 days, or symptoms of mouth/throat inflammation persist beyond about a week, a doctor should be consulted.

Safety note^[13]Caution

Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended, as safety has not been established.

Safety note^{[13, 14]}Info

Tannin-rich; very high or prolonged intake may cause gastrointestinal upset or constipation and can reduce the absorption of iron and some medicines taken at the same time.

Harvest Readiness

^[15]

Part: aerial-parts

Signals: Gather the flowering aerial parts - the tall, slender yellow flower-spikes ('church steeples') with their leaves - as the plant comes into flower in late spring to early summer; dry for use.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: The plant is harvested in late spring and early summer and can be dried for later use.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: Ken Fern / Useful Temperate Plants (REF-3191) gives the harvest window coinciding with the onset of flowering; Grieve confirms the part is 'the herb' with the flower-spikes in bloom from June to early September. Single harvest-stage source -> provisional; a pharmacopoeial 'flowering tops' definition (Ph. Eur. / EMA Agrimoniae herba) would upgrade to verified.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Wikidata ›

References & Sources

Malheiros, J., Simoes, D.M., Figueirinha, A., Cotrim, M.D. and Fonseca, D.A (2022) 'Agrimonia eupatoria L.: An integrative perspective on ethnomedicinal use, phenolic composition and pharmacological activity', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 2022. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2022.115498 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115498
Paluch, Z., Biriczova, L., Pallag, G., Carvalheiro Marques, E., Vargova, N. and Kmonickova, E (2020) 'The therapeutic effects of Agrimonia eupatoria L', Physiological Research, pp. S555--S571. doi:10.33549/physiolres.934641 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.33549/physiolres.934641
Kuczmannova, A., Balazova, A., Racanska, E., Kamenikova, M., Fialova, S., Majernik, J., Nagy, M., Gal, P. and Mucaji, P (2016) 'Agrimonia eupatoria L. and Cynara cardunculus L. water infusions: comparison of anti-diabetic activities', Molecules, 21(5), pp. 564. doi:10.3390/molecules21050564 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules21050564
Huzio, N., Grytsyk, A., Raal, A., Grytsyk, L. and Koshovyi, O (2022) 'Phytochemical and pharmacological research in Agrimonia eupatoria L. herb extract with anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective properties', Plants, 11(18), pp. 2371. doi:10.3390/plants11182371 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11182371
Correia, H.S., Batista, M.T. and Dinis, T.C.P (2007) 'The activity of an extract and fraction of Agrimonia eupatoria L. against reactive species', BioFactors, 29(2-3), pp. 91-104. doi:10.1002/biof.552029209 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/biof.552029209
Granica, S., Kluge, H., Horn, G., Matkowski, A. and Kiss, A.K (2015) 'The phytochemical investigation of Agrimonia eupatoria L. and Agrimonia procera Wallr. as valid sources of Agrimoniae herba - the pharmacopoeial plant material', Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 114, pp. 272-279. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2015.05.027 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2015.05.027
Tsirigotis-Maniecka, M., Zaczynska, E., Czarny, A., Jadczyk, P., Uminska-Wasiluk, B., Gancarz, R. and Pawlaczyk-Graja, I (2023) 'Antioxidant and protective effects of the polyphenolic glycoconjugate from Agrimonia eupatoria L. herb in the prevention of inflammation in human cells', Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 14(4), pp. 182. doi:10.3390/jfb14040182 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14040182
Kwon, D.H., Kwon, H.Y., Kim, H.J., Chang, E.J., Kim, M.B., Yoon, S.K., Song, E.Y., Yoon, D.Y., Lee, Y.H., Choi, I.S. and Choi, Y.K (2005) 'Inhibition of hepatitis B virus by an aqueous extract of Agrimonia eupatoria L', Phytotherapy Research, 19(4), pp. 355-358. doi:10.1002/ptr.1689 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1689
Karlinska, E., Romanowska, B. and Kosmala, M (2021) 'The aerial parts of Agrimonia procera Wallr. and Agrimonia eupatoria L. as a source of polyphenols, and especially agrimoniin and flavonoids', Molecules, 26(24), pp. 7706. doi:10.3390/molecules26247706 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26247706
Kuczmannova, A., Gal, P., Varinska, L., Treml, J., Kovac, I., Novotny, M., Vasilenko, T., Dall'Acqua, S., Nagy, M. and Mucaji, P (2015) 'Agrimonia eupatoria L. and Cynara cardunculus L. water infusions: phenolic profile and comparison of antioxidant activities', Molecules, 20(11), pp. 20538-20550. doi:10.3390/molecules201119715 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules201119715
Ivanova, D., Vankova, D. and 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), pp. 32-37. doi:10.3109/13813455.2012.729844 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.3109/13813455.2012.729844
Venskutonis, P.R., Skemaite, M. and Ragazinskiene, O (2007) 'Radical scavenging capacity of Agrimonia eupatoria and Agrimonia procera', Fitoterapia, 78(2), pp. 166-168. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2006.10.002 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2006.10.002
European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2015) 'European Union herbal monograph on Agrimonia eupatoria L., herba (Agrimoniae herba)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/agrimoniae-herba Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/agrimoniae-herba
Herbal Reality (n.d.) 'Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria): Benefits, Uses, Safety'. Available at: https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/agrimony/ Traditional / reference
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/agrimony/
Fern, Ken 'Agrimonia eupatoria (Agrimony) — Useful Temperate Plants'. Available at: https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Agrimonia+eupatoria Traditional / reference
https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Agrimonia+eupatoria
Lee, K.H. and Rhee, K.H (2016) 'Anti-nociceptive effect of Agrimonia eupatoria extract on a cisplatin-induced neuropathic model', African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 13(5), pp. 139--144. doi:10.21010/ajtcam.v13i5.18 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.21010/ajtcam.v13i5.18
Ginovyan, M. and Gevorgyan, S. and Javrushyan, H. and Kusznierewicz, B. and Koss-Mikolajczyk, I. and Sahakyan, N. and Bartoszek, A. and Avtandilyan, N (2026) 'Inhibition of the PI3K signaling pathway in cancer cells by Agrimonia eupatoria L. ethanolic extract: identification of tricoumaroyl spermidine as a potential PI3K inhibitor', BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 26(1), pp. 41. doi:10.1186/s12906-025-05231-z Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-05231-z
Shareef, S.H., Asaad, N.K., Gheni, N.A., Fisal, D.N., Shakir Agha, N.F., Ali, R.T. and Abdulla, M.A (2025) 'Agrimonia eupatoria leaf extract attenuates alcohol-induced oxidative stress, ulcer and alleviates stomach damage in rats', Food Science and Nutrition, 13(11). doi:10.1002/fsn3.71203 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.71203
Vasilenko, T., Kovac, I., Slezak, M., Durkac, J., Perzelova, V., Coma, M. and others (2022) 'Agrimonia eupatoria L. aqueous extract improves skin wound healing: an in vitro study in fibroblasts and keratinocytes and in vivo study in rats', In Vivo, 36(3), pp. 1236--1244. doi:10.21873/invivo.12822 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.21873/invivo.12822

Selected studies & references

ClinicalAgrimonia eupatoria tea consumption in relation to markers of inflammation, oxidative status and lipid metabolism in healthy subjects source↗ (2013)

PreclinicalInhibition of the PI3K signaling pathway in cancer cells by Agrimonia eupatoria L. ethanolic extract: identification of tricoumaroyl spermidine as a potential PI3K inhibitor source↗ (2026)

PreclinicalAgrimonia eupatoria leaf extract attenuates alcohol-induced oxidative stress, ulcer and alleviates stomach damage in rats source↗ (2025)

PreclinicalAntioxidant and protective effects of the polyphenolic glycoconjugate from Agrimonia eupatoria L. herb in the prevention of inflammation in human cells source↗ (2023)

PreclinicalAgrimonia eupatoria L. aqueous extract improves skin wound healing: an in vitro study in fibroblasts and keratinocytes and in vivo study in rats source↗ (2022)

PreclinicalAgrimonia eupatoria L.: An integrative perspective on ethnomedicinal use, phenolic composition and pharmacological activity source↗ (2022)

PreclinicalPhytochemical and pharmacological research in Agrimonia eupatoria L. herb extract with anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective properties source↗ (2022)

PreclinicalThe aerial parts of Agrimonia procera Wallr. and Agrimonia eupatoria L. as a source of polyphenols, and especially agrimoniin and flavonoids source↗ (2021)

All 19 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.

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