Plant Comparison
Agrimony vs Lions mane
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 Lions mane: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bloating, cancer (anticancer research), …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Agrimony | Lions mane | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 2/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Lions mane |
| Bloating | 2/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Lions mane |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Indigestion | 2/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Lions mane |
| Inflammation (general) | 2/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Lions mane |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Lions mane |
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.
Diterpenoid erinacines (concentrated in the mycelium) and aromatic hericenones (in the fruiting body) are the signature low-molecular-weight compounds that stimulate nerve growth factor synthesis and underlie the mushroom's neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects.
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).
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
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from neuroprotective action
inferred from immunomodulator action
inferred from digestive 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.
Mild gastrointestinal upset (nausea, bloating, diarrhoea) is the most common side effect. Rare allergic reactions can occur, particularly in individuals sensitive to mushrooms, and it may slightly lower blood sugar or have mild blood-thinning effects, so caution is advised for people on diabetes or anticoagulant medications.
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]
Wood-decay fungus (not a true plant) forming a distinctive rounded, cushion-like fruiting body covered in long, dangling, tooth-like spines rather than gills or pores, resembling a white or cream 'lion's mane' or icicle cluster. It grows as a single mass rather than a typical cap-and-stem mushroom, on wounds or dead wood of hardwood trees.
Habitat
Grows on wounds, dead or dying wood of hardwood trees (notably oak and beech) in temperate forests of the Northern Hemisphere; also widely cultivated commercially on hardwood logs or sawdust substrate.
Harvesting
The flowering aerial parts are cut in summer, at the start of flowering, and dried promptly in a warm, airy, shaded place.[13]
Wild fruiting bodies are collected once mature; cultivated material is harvested from logs or substrate at maturity, then used fresh, dried, or processed into mycelium-based supplements.
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]
Lion's mane has a long East Asian culinary and medicinal tradition, valued in Chinese and Japanese medicine as a digestive tonic and, more recently, intensively studied for its unique ability to stimulate nerve growth factor, giving it a modern reputation as a neurotrophic and cognitive-support mushroom.[1]
Preparations
Fruiting-body or mycelium extract standardised to erinacine or hericenone content, taken as capsules or powder; the form used in most clinical cognitive-support studies.
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.
A 49-week double-blind randomised trial in mild Alzheimer's disease used three erinacine A-enriched H. erinaceus mycelia capsules per day at 350 mg per capsule, i.e. 1050 mg daily. Other clinical studies of cognitive support commonly use around 1-3 g of dried fruiting body extract daily. 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
- Szucko-Kociuba, I., Trzeciak-Ryczek, A., Kupnicka, P. and Chlubek, D (2023) 'Neurotrophic and Neuroprotective Effects of Hericium erinaceus', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(21). doi:10.3390/ijms242115960 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242115960 - Contato, A.G. and Conte-Junior, C.A (2025) 'Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus): A Neuroprotective Fungus with Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antimicrobial Potential - A Narrative Review', Nutrients, 17(8), pp. 1307. doi:10.3390/nu17081307 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17081307 - Li, I.C. and Chang, H.H. and Lin, C.H. and Chen, W.P. and Lu, T.H. and Lee, L.Y. and Chen, Y.W. and Chen, Y.P. and Chen, C.C. and Lin, D.P (2020) 'Prevention of Early Alzheimer's Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study', Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 12, pp. 155. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2020.00155 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2020.00155 - Friedman, M (2015) 'Chemistry, Nutrition, and Health-Promoting Properties of Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane) Mushroom Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia and Their Bioactive Compounds', Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 63(32), pp. 7108-7123. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.5b02914 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5b02914 - Xie, G. and Tang, L. and Xie, Y. and Xie, L (2022) 'Secondary Metabolites from Hericium erinaceus and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activities', Molecules, 27(7), pp. 2157. doi:10.3390/molecules27072157 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27072157 - Li, H., Feng, J., Liu, C., Hou, S., Meng, J., Liu, J.Y. and others (2024) 'Polysaccharides from an edible mushroom, Hericium erinaceus, alleviate ulcerative colitis in mice by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasomes and reestablish intestinal homeostasis', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131251 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131251 - Shi, X.Z., Zhang, X.Y., Wang, Y.Y., Zhao, Y.M. and Wang, J (2024) 'Polysaccharides from Hericium erinaceus and its immunomodulatory effects on RAW 264.7 macrophages', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134947 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134947 - Liu, J.H., Li, L., Shang, X.D., Zhang, J.L. and Tan, Q (2016) 'An experimental research on the anti-gastric-cancer activity of hericenone B extracted from Hericium erinaceus', 37(1), pp. 1--8. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=An%20experimental%20research%20on%20the%20anti-gastric-cancer%20activity%20of%20hericenone%20B%20extracted%20from%20Hericium%20erinaceus - Mori, K., Inatomi, S., Ouchi, K., Azumi, Y. and Tuchida, T (2009) 'Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial', 23(3), pp. 367--372. doi:10.1002/ptr.2634 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2634 - National Institutes of Health (2023) 'Hericium erinaceus'. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=hericium+erinaceus Traditional / reference
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=hericium+erinaceus - Pellegrino, R. and Gravina, A.G (2025) 'Potential of traditional Chinese medicine in gastrointestinal disorders: Hericium erinaceus in chronic atrophic gastritis', World Journal of Gastroenterology, 31(20). doi:10.3748/wjg.v31.i20.106615 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v31.i20.106615 - Docherty, S., Doughty, F.L. and Smith, E.F (2023) 'The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion's Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study', Nutrients, 15(22). doi:10.3390/nu15224842 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15224842 - Surendran, G., Saye, J., Binti Mohd Jalil, S., Spreadborough, J., Duong, K., Shatwan, I.M. and others (2025) 'Acute effects of a standardised extract of Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane mushroom) on cognition and mood in healthy younger adults: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled study', Frontiers in Nutrition. doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1405796 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1405796 - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
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.