Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Agrimony vs Greater Celandine
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 Greater Celandine: they share 7 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bloating, cancer (anticancer research), …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Agrimony | Greater Celandine | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Bloating | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Indigestion | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Wounds | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
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.
The biologically active and toxicologically important constituents.
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).
Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and analgesic (preclinical)
Antispasmodic / choleretic bitter for upper-abdominal and biliary dyspepsia (indigestion, bloating, cramping) - oral use now restricted for safety
Antispasmodic / choleretic bitter for upper-abdominal and biliary dyspepsia (indigestion, bloating, cramping) - oral use now restricted for safety
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)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Antispasmodic / choleretic bitter for upper-abdominal and biliary dyspepsia (indigestion, bloating, cramping) - oral use now restricted for safety
inferred from anticancer action
Antispasmodic / choleretic bitter for upper-abdominal and biliary dyspepsia (indigestion, bloating, cramping) - oral use now restricted for safety
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antispasmodic action
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.
SERIOUS: oral greater celandine can cause acute idiosyncratic liver injury (hepatocellular hepatotoxicity with jaundice). Multiple reported cases - dozens of herb-induced liver injury reports in the literature, with continuing recent case reports - led regulators to restrict or suspend oral products. Do not take internally if you have any liver disease, and stop immediately and seek care at any sign of liver problems (jaundice, dark urine, upper-abdominal pain).
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]
Branching perennial herb with soft, brittle, hairy stems that exude a distinctive bright orange-yellow latex (sap) when cut or broken. The leaves are deeply lobed, pale bluish-green beneath, giving a delicate, almost fern-like appearance. Small, four-petalled, bright yellow flowers are borne in loose umbel-like clusters.[4]
Habitat
Grows in shaded, nutrient-rich ground - hedgerows, walls, waste ground and woodland edges, often near old buildings; native to Europe and Western Asia and naturalised in North America.[4]
Harvesting
The flowering aerial parts are cut in summer, at the start of flowering, and dried promptly in a warm, airy, shaded place.[13]
The flowering aerial parts are cut in spring to summer; the fresh orange latex is collected by breaking a stem or leaf as needed for topical (wart) use. Given the documented hepatotoxicity of oral preparations, harvesting for internal use is not recommended.[4]
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]
Greater celandine has a long European folk history, reflected in its name 'tetterwort', as a topical remedy for warts and skin blemishes (the fresh orange latex dabbed directly on), and internally as a bitter choleretic digestive remedy for biliary and upper-abdominal dyspepsia - though oral use is now medically restricted because of documented liver injury.[4]
Preparations
Fresh orange latex from a broken stem dabbed directly onto warts, the classic external folk use; kept well away from eyes, mucous membranes and broken skin.
Historically taken as an infusion or tincture for biliary dyspepsia, but oral use is now restricted in several jurisdictions due to hepatotoxicity risk and should only be considered under professional supervision, if at all.
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.
Because of a documented risk of acute liver injury, no internal dose is given here; oral use should be avoided, especially by anyone with liver disease, and any sign of jaundice, dark urine or upper-abdominal pain warrants immediate medical attention. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
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
- Li, X.L., Sun, Y.P., Wang, M., Wang, Z.B. and Kuang, H.X (2024) 'Alkaloids in Chelidonium majus L.: a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 15, pp. 1440979. doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1440979 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1440979 - Koriem, K.M.M., Arbid, M.S. and Asaad, G.F (2012) 'Chelidonium majus leaves methanol extract and its chelidonine alkaloid ingredient reduce cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity in rats', Journal of Natural Medicines, 67(1), pp. 159-167. doi:10.1007/s11418-012-0667-6 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-012-0667-6 - Nawrot, R (2017) 'Defense-related Proteins from Chelidonium majus L. as Important Components of its Latex', Current Protein & Peptide Science, 18(8), pp. 864-880. doi:10.2174/1389203718666170406124013 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.2174/1389203718666170406124013 - Gilca, M., Gaman, L., Panait, E., Stoian, I. and Atanasiu, V (2010) 'Chelidonium majus - an integrative review: traditional knowledge versus modern findings', Forschende Komplementarmedizin. doi:10.1159/000321397 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1159/000321397 - Popovic, A., Deljanin, M., Popovic, S., Todorovic, D., Djurdjevic, P., Matic, S., Stankovic, M., Avramovic, D. and Baskic, D (2021) 'Chelidonium majus crude extract induces activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and enhances their cytotoxic effect toward HeLa cells', International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 32(7), pp. 1554-1566. doi:10.1080/09603123.2021.1897534 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2021.1897534 - Shen, L., Lee, S.A., Joo, J.C., Hong, E., Cui, Z.Y., Jo, E., Park, S.J. and Jang, H.J (2022) 'Chelidonium majus induces apoptosis of human ovarian cancer cells via ATF3-mediated regulation of Foxo3a by Tip60', Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 32(4), pp. 493-503. doi:10.4014/jmb.2109.09030 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4014/jmb.2109.09030 - Deljanin, M., Nikolic, M., Baskic, D., Todorovic, D., Djurdjevic, P., Zaric, M., Stankovic, M., Todorovic, M., Avramovic, D. and Popovic, S (2016) 'Chelidonium majus crude extract inhibits migration and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in tumor cell lines', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 190, pp. 362-371. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.06.056 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.06.056 - Warowicka, A., Qasem, B., Dera-Szymanowska, A., Wolun-Cholewa, M., Florczak, P., Horst, N., Napierala, M., Szymanowski, K., Popenda, L., Bartkowiak, G., Florek, E., Gozdzicka-Jozefiak, A. and Mlynarz, P (2021) 'Effect of protoberberine-rich fraction of Chelidonium majus L. on endometriosis regression', Pharmaceutics, 13(7), pp. 931. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13070931 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13070931 - Kadan, G., Gozler, T. and Hesse, M (1992) '(+)-Norchelidonine from Chelidonium majus', Planta Medica, 58(5), pp. 477. doi:10.1055/s-2006-961523 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-961523 - Musidlak, O., Warowicka, A., Broniarczyk, J., Adamczyk, D., Gozdzicka-Jozefiak, A. and Nawrot, R (2022) 'The activity of Chelidonium majus L. latex and its components on HPV reveal insights into the antiviral molecular mechanism', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(16), pp. 9241. doi:10.3390/ijms23169241 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23169241 - Zhang, W., You, C., Wang, C., Fan, L., Wang, Y., Su, Y., Deng, Z. and Du, S (2014) 'One new alkaloid from Chelidonium majus L', Natural Product Research, 28(21), pp. 1873-1878. doi:10.1080/14786419.2014.953497 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2014.953497 - Capistrano I, R., Wouters, A., Lardon, F., Gravekamp, C., Apers, S. and Pieters, L (2015) 'In vitro and in vivo investigations on the antitumour activity of Chelidonium majus', Phytomedicine, 22(14), pp. 1279-1287. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2015.10.013 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2015.10.013 - Teschke, R., Frenzel, C., Glass, X., Schulze, J. and Eickhoff, A (2012) 'Greater Celandine hepatotoxicity: a clinical review', Annals of Hepatology. doi:10.1016/s1665-2681(19)31408-5 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/s1665-2681(19)31408-5 - Ciornolutchii, V., Ismaiel, A., Sabo, C.M., Al Hajjar, N., Seicean, A. and Dumitrascu, D.L (2024) 'A Hidden Cause of Hypertransaminasemia: Liver Toxicity Caused by Chelidonium Majus L. Report of Two Cases of Herb-Induced Liver Injury and Literature Review', American Journal of Therapeutics, 31(4), pp. e382--e387. doi:10.1097/MJT.0000000000001708 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1097/MJT.0000000000001708
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.