Plant Comparison
Agrimony vs Lemon Verbena
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Agrimony and Lemon Verbena: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bloating, cancer (anticancer research), …); 4 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Agrimony | Lemon Verbena | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 2/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Lemon Verbena |
| Bloating | 2/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Lemon Verbena |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Lemon Verbena |
| Indigestion | 2/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Lemon Verbena |
| Inflammation (general) | 2/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Lemon Verbena |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Lemon Verbena |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Responsible for the characteristic astringency.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents.
Gives the lemon aroma and contributes to the calming and antimicrobial effects.
The principal polyphenol of the extract and a major antioxidant constituent.
Pharmacological Actions
Anti-inflammatory gargle (mild inflammation of the mouth and throat / sore throat)
Agrimonia eupatoria ethanolic extract is cytotoxic to breast, colon, lung and cervical cancer cells and inhibits the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway (preclinical/in silico).
Aloysia citrodora (lemon verbena) essential oil and extracts inhibit growth and migration of breast cancer and melanoma cells and reduce tumour size in vivo (preclinical).
Antioxidant - supports muscle recovery and reduces exercise-induced muscle soreness and oxidative stress; a placebo-controlled RCT of a lemon verbena extract found less loss of muscle strength and less soreness after exhaustive exercise
Anxiolytic / calming (anxiety) - also supported by a clinical trial of the closely related Aloysia polystachya
Carminative digestive aid (indigestion, flatulence)
Carminative digestive aid (indigestion, flatulence)
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from bitter-tonic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
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).
Astringent (relief of mild diarrhoea)
Mild bitter digestive tonic (indigestion)
Anti-inflammatory gargle (mild inflammation of the mouth and throat / sore throat); Vulnerary (minor skin inflammation and small superficial wounds, topical)
inferred from astringent action
Anti-inflammatory gargle (mild inflammation of the mouth and throat / sore throat)
Anxiolytic / calming (anxiety) - also supported by a clinical trial of the closely related Aloysia polystachya
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) essential oil and extracts show antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activity against breast cancer and melanoma cells in vitro and reduce tumour growth in mouse models (targeting HB-EGF/EGFR and ERK signalling) (preclinical).
Carminative digestive aid (indigestion, flatulence)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Sedative / sleep support (insomnia)
Antioxidant - supports muscle recovery and reduces exercise-induced muscle soreness and oxidative stress; a placebo-controlled RCT of a lemon verbena extract found less loss of muscle strength and less soreness after exhaustive exercise
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
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.
Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended, as safety has not been established.
External Ids
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.[13, 14]
Deciduous, aromatic shrub with slender, brittle branches and whorls of narrow, lance-shaped, rough-textured leaves that release a strong lemon scent when crushed. Small, pale lilac to white flowers are borne in loose terminal and axillary spikes in late summer.[1]
Habitat
Native to South America (Argentina, Chile, Peru) and widely cultivated as a culinary and medicinal herb in warm-temperate and Mediterranean climates worldwide, typically in sunny, well-drained garden sites.[1]
Harvesting
The flowering aerial parts are cut in summer, at the start of flowering, and dried promptly in a warm, airy, shaded place.[13]
Leaves are picked through the growing season, with the essential oil content and aroma at their best just before flowering; leaves are used fresh or dried quickly in a warm, shaded, airy place to preserve the lemon-scented volatile oil.[1]
Traditional Uses
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.[13, 14]
Lemon verbena leaf is a traditional South American and Mediterranean remedy for digestive complaints (indigestion, flatulence), as a calming, mildly sedative tea for anxiety and sleep, and is widely drunk as a fragrant culinary herbal tea.[1]
Preparations
Dosage
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.
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.
The EU herbal monograph on Verbenae citriodorae folium gives, for adolescents, adults and elderly - for mild symptoms of mental stress, 5 g of the comminuted leaf in 100 mL of boiling water as a decoction three times daily; to aid sleep, 1-2 g in 200 mL as an infusion half an hour before bedtime; and for mild digestive complaints, 2-3 g in 200 mL as an infusion 1-3 times daily, or 1 g in 200 mL up to 5 times daily. Not recommended in children. If symptoms persist longer than 2 weeks a healthcare practitioner should be consulted. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
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 - (2022) 'Agrimonia eupatoria L.: An integrative perspective on ethnomedicinal use, phenolic composition and pharmacological activity', Journal of Ethnopharmacology. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2022.115498 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115498 - 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/ - 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
- Bahramsoltani, R., Rostamiasrabadi, P., Shahpiri, Z., Marques, A.M., Rahimi, R. and Farzaei, M.H (2018) 'Aloysia citrodora Palau (Lemon verbena): A review of phytochemistry and pharmacology', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 2018. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2018.04.021 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2018.04.021 - Rashid, H.M., Mahmod, A.I., Afifi, F.U. and Talib, W.H (2022) 'Antioxidant and Antiproliferation Activities of Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora): An In Vitro and In Vivo Study', Plants, 11(6). doi:10.3390/plants11060785 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11060785 - Abuhamdah, S. and Abuhamdah, R. and Howes, M.J.R. and Al-Olimat, S. and Ennaceur, A. and Chazot, P.L (2015) 'Pharmacological and neuroprotective profile of an essential oil derived from leaves of Aloysia citrodora Palau', The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 67(9), pp. 1306-1315. doi:10.1111/jphp.12424 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/jphp.12424 - Sprea, R.M. and Fernandes, L.H.M. and Pires, T.C.S.P. and Calhelha, R.C. and Rodrigues, P.J. and Amaral, J.S (2023) 'Volatile Compounds and Biological Activity of the Essential Oil of Aloysia citrodora Palau: Comparison of Hydrodistillation and Microwave-Assisted Hydrodistillation', Molecules, 28(11), pp. 4528. doi:10.3390/molecules28114528 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28114528 - El-Ouady, F. and Eddouks, M (2021) 'Antihyperglycemic and Antihyperlipidemic Effects of Lippia citriodora in Rats', Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders Drug Targets, 21(4), pp. 711-719. doi:10.2174/1871530320666200610153532 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1871530320666200610153532 - Cadenillas, L.F., Hernandez, C., Bailly, S., Billerach, G., Durrieu, V. and Bailly, J.D (2023) 'Role of Polyphenols from the Aqueous Extract of Aloysia citrodora in the Inhibition of Aflatoxin B1 Synthesis', Molecules, 28(13), pp. 5123. doi:10.3390/molecules28135123 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28135123 - Tammar, S., Salem, N., Aidi Wannes, W., Limam, H., Bourgou, S., Fares, N. and others (2021) 'Chemometric Profiling and Bioactivity of Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) Methanolic Extract from Four Localities in Tunisia', Foods, 10(12). doi:10.3390/foods10122912 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10122912 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2018) 'European Union herbal monograph on Aloysia citrodora Paláu (syn. Aloysia triphylla (L'Hér.) Kuntze; Verbena triphylla L'Hér.; Lippia citriodora Kunth), folium'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-aloysia-citrodora-palau-syn-aloysia-triphylla-lher-kuntze-verbena-triphylla-lher-lippia-citriodora-kunth-folium_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-aloysia-citrodora-palau-syn-aloysia-triphylla-lher-kuntze-verbena-triphylla-lher-lippia-citriodora-kunth-folium_en.pdf - Salama, Y. and Jaradat, N. and Hattori, K. and Heissig, B (2021) 'Aloysia Citrodora Essential Oil Inhibits Melanoma Cell Growth and Migration by Targeting HB-EGF-EGFR Signaling', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(15), pp. 8151. doi:10.3390/ijms22158151 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22158151 - Spyridopoulou, K. and Aravidou, T. and Lampri, E. and Effraimidou, E. and Pappa, A. and Chlichlia, K (2021) 'Antitumor Potential of Lippia citriodora Essential Oil in Breast Tumor-Bearing Mice', Antioxidants, 10(6), pp. 875. doi:10.3390/antiox10060875 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10060875 - Buchwald-Werner, S., Naka, I., Wilhelm, M., Schutz, E., Schoen, C. and Reule, C (2018) 'Effects of lemon verbena extract (Recoverben) supplementation on muscle strength and recovery after exhaustive exercise: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial', Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. doi:10.1186/s12970-018-0208-0 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-018-0208-0 - Hoseinifar, S.H., Shakouri, M., Doan, H.V., Shafiei, S., Yousefi, M., Raeisi, M. and others (2020) 'Dietary supplementation of lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) improved immunity, immune-related genes expression and antioxidant enzymes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)', Fish and Shellfish Immunology, pp. 379--385. doi:10.1016/j.fsi.2020.02.006 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2020.02.006 - Carmona, F., Coneglian, F.S., Batista, P.A., Aragon, D.C., Angelucci, M.A., Martinez, E.Z. and Pereira, A.M.S (2019) 'Aloysia polystachya powdered leaves are effective in treating anxiety symptoms: A phase-2, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 2019. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.112060 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.112060 - Afrasiabian, F., Mirabzadeh Ardakani, M., Rahmani, K., Azadi, N.A., Alemohammad, Z.B., Bidaki, R., Karimi, M., Emtiazy, M. and Hashempur, M.H (2018) 'Aloysia citriodora Palau (lemon verbena) for insomnia patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of efficacy and safety', Phytotherapy Research, 33(2), pp. 350--359. doi:10.1002/ptr.6228 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6228 - Perez-Pinero, S., Munoz-Carrillo, J.C., Echepare-Taberna, J., Munoz-Camara, M., Herrera-Fernandez, C., Garcia-Guillen, A.I. and others (2024) 'Dietary Supplementation with an Extract of Aloysia citrodora (Lemon verbena) Improves Sleep Quality in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Study', Nutrients, 16(10). doi:10.3390/nu16101523 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16101523 - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.