Key Constituents

Tannins (condensed and hydrolysable, including agrimoniin)^{[1, 2]}

Responsible for the characteristic astringency.

Tannins

Flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin, quercetin and their glycosides)^{[2, 3]}

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents.

FlavonoidsGlycosidesQuercetinApigeninLuteolin

Phenolic acids^[2]

Contribute to antioxidant activity.

Phenolic acids

Triterpenes, volatile oil and silica^{[2, 3]}

Minor constituents of the herb.

Essential (volatile) oilTerpenes / terpenoidsSilica

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[1, 3, 4, 5, 6]}

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

Antidiarrhoeal^{[1, 2, 3]}

Astringent (relief of mild diarrhoea)

Antioxidant^{[2, 5, 6, 7]}

Astringent^{[1, 2, 3]}

Astringent (relief of mild diarrhoea)

Bitter digestive tonic / stomachic^{[2, 3, 7]}

Mild bitter digestive tonic (indigestion)

Digestive aid^{[2, 3, 7]}

Mild bitter digestive tonic (indigestion)

Vulnerary (wound healing)^{[1, 2, 6, 8]}

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

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Loss of appetite^{[2, 3, 7]}Traditional · 2/10

inferred from bitter-tonic action

more plants for loss of appetite →detailed sources →

Arthritis / joint pain^{[1, 3, 4, 5, 6]}Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Bloating^{[2, 3, 7]}Traditional · 2/10

inferred from digestive action

more plants for bloating →detailed sources →

Bruising^{[1, 2, 6, 8]}Traditional · 2/10

inferred from vulnerary action

more plants for bruising →detailed sources →

Diarrhoea^{[1, 2, 3]}Traditional · 1/10

Astringent (relief of mild diarrhoea)

more plants for diarrhoea →detailed sources →

Indigestion^{[2, 3, 7]}Traditional · 2/10

Mild bitter digestive tonic (indigestion)

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8]}Traditional · 2/10

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

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[1, 2, 3]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from astringent action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Sore throat^{[1, 3, 4, 5, 6]}Traditional · 2/10

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

more plants for sore throat →detailed sources →

Wounds^{[1, 2, 6, 8]}Traditional · 2/10

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

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^[1]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^[1]Caution

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

Safety note^{[1, 3]}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.

References & Sources

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. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874122005372 Traditional / reference
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874122005372
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
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
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

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