Agrimony: Benefits, Side Effects and Dosage

Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) is a perennial herb long celebrated in traditional medicine for its potential to support health. Its yellow flowering spikes have adorned meadows and herbalists' cabinets alike, but it’s only recently that modern science has begun to unravel the real benefits, possible side effects, and optimal ways to use this plant. In this article, we’ll explore the evidence-based health effects of agrimony, highlight key safety considerations, and provide insight into effective dosages—all grounded in recent scientific research.

Benefits of Agrimony

Agrimony’s reputation as a multi-purpose medicinal herb is now supported by a growing body of scientific evidence. Traditionally used for digestive, metabolic, and inflammatory conditions, agrimony has demonstrated a range of beneficial effects, from antioxidant action to blood sugar regulation, liver protection, and more. Let’s take a closer look at what the research says.

Benefit	Description	Key Findings	Source
Antioxidant	Neutralizes harmful free radicals	Increases antioxidant capacity in humans	3 4 5
Anti-inflammatory	Reduces inflammation in body tissues	Decreases inflammatory markers and NO	3 4 5
Metabolic Health	Supports blood sugar and lipid regulation	Lowers glucose absorption, TG, and improves HDL	1 2 5 6
Liver Support	Protects and improves liver enzyme levels	Reduces ALT in subjects with liver issues	6

Table 1: Summary of Agrimony’s Main Health Benefits

Antioxidant Activity

Agrimony is rich in polyphenols—such as flavan-3-ols, flavonols, and phenolic acids—that provide potent antioxidant effects. Both extracts and infusions of agrimony have demonstrated the ability to neutralize a wide range of reactive species, including free radicals and oxidative molecules like hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite. Notably, human studies show that regular consumption of agrimony tea can significantly elevate plasma antioxidant capacity, suggesting genuine benefits for oxidative stress and cellular protection 3 4 5.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

Inflammation is at the root of many chronic diseases, and agrimony appears to have meaningful anti-inflammatory effects. Laboratory and animal studies reveal that agrimony infusions and polyphenol-rich fractions can decrease inflammatory markers, such as nitric oxide (NO), and reduce tissue swelling in animal models. In human trials, agrimony tea led to reduced levels of interleukin-6, a key inflammatory cytokine 4 5. These effects are closely linked to its antioxidant compounds, which help mitigate the cascade of inflammation in the body 3 4 5.

Blood Sugar and Metabolic Support

One of agrimony’s most intriguing benefits is its support for metabolic health. Scientific studies have demonstrated that agrimony extracts:

• Decrease glucose absorption in the gut, potentially helping to stabilize blood sugar levels 1.
• Stimulate glucose uptake and metabolism in muscle cells, mimicking some effects of insulin 2.
• Enhance insulin secretion from pancreatic cells, providing an additional mechanism for blood sugar regulation 2.

These findings suggest agrimony may have a useful role in managing type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, though more human studies are needed.

Liver Protection and Lipid Regulation

Agrimony’s impact extends to liver health and lipid metabolism. In a controlled clinical trial, people with elevated liver enzymes who took agrimony extract for eight weeks experienced significant reductions in alanine transaminase (ALT) and triglycerides, both important markers for liver and cardiovascular health 6. Additionally, agrimony tea consumption was linked to increased HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) and overall improved lipid profiles in healthy adults 5.

Side Effects of Agrimony

While agrimony is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, it’s important to understand its potential side effects, rare adverse reactions, and any safety concerns for special populations.

Side Effect	Frequency/Severity	Notes/Warnings	Source
Mild GI Upset	Rare, mild	No severe GI events reported	6
Allergic Reaction	Very rare	No confirmed cases in trials	6
Drug Interaction	Possible, but unreported	Caution with diabetes/liver meds	2 6
Safety in Pregnancy	Unknown	Not established; avoid in pregnancy

Table 2: Potential Side Effects and Safety Considerations for Agrimony

Gastrointestinal and General Tolerability

Clinical trials and animal studies report that agrimony is generally well-tolerated when consumed as a tea or in capsule form. No severe adverse events were recorded in a study of 80 individuals taking agrimony extract for eight weeks. Mild gastrointestinal upset was rare and not statistically different from placebo 6. Studies in animals and cell cultures also showed no toxicity at effective doses 2 4 6.

Allergic and Hypersensitivity Reactions

There have been no confirmed reports of allergic reactions to agrimony in published clinical trials. However, as with all herbal products, there is a theoretical risk of skin or digestive hypersensitivity, especially in individuals with allergies to plants in the Rosaceae family (rose relatives) 6.

Drug Interactions and Special Populations

Because agrimony can influence blood sugar and liver enzymes, individuals taking diabetes medications, insulin, or drugs affecting liver function should use caution. There are no documented interactions, but theoretical risk exists for additive effects with antidiabetic or hepatoprotective drugs 2 6.

The safety of agrimony during pregnancy or breastfeeding has not been established. Until more data are available, it is recommended to avoid use in these populations.

Dosage of Agrimony

Determining the optimal agrimony dosage requires careful consideration of the available evidence from both traditional use and clinical research. Here’s what the studies suggest:

Form	Typical Dosage	Duration/Notes	Source
Tea/Infusion	1–2 cups daily (1–2 g dried herb/cup)	Studied up to 1 month safely	5
Extract/Capsule	2 capsules twice daily (dose not specified; likely ~250–500 mg/extract)	Studied for 8 weeks	6
Dietary	Incorporated in food/drink	62.5 g/kg in diet (animal studies)	2
Topical	Not studied in clinical trials	Traditional use, no dosage established

Table 3: Evidence-Based Dosages of Agrimony

Tea and Infusion

The most traditional and accessible way to consume agrimony is as a tea or infusion. In human studies, participants consumed 1–2 cups of agrimony tea daily for one month. This regimen resulted in measurable health benefits without significant side effects 5. Typically, 1–2 grams of dried agrimony herb are steeped in hot water per cup.

Capsules and Extracts

Standardized extracts offer convenience and precise dosing. In a controlled trial, agrimony extract was administered as two capsules, twice daily for eight weeks. While the exact milligram content per capsule was not specified, commercial products generally contain 250–500 mg of extract each 6.

Duration and Safety

Both tea and capsule forms have been studied for up to 8 weeks in adults with no serious adverse effects. For long-term use, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare provider, especially if you have underlying health conditions or take prescription medications.

Pediatric and Topical Use

No clinical studies have established safe dosages for children or for topical applications in humans, though agrimony has a history of use in traditional herbal medicine for skin conditions.

Conclusion

Agrimony is more than just a folklore favorite—it’s a scientifically backed herbal ally with a wide range of potential health benefits. Here’s what you need to remember:

• Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory: Agrimony contains polyphenols that neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation, supported by both laboratory and human studies 3 4 5.
• Metabolic and liver health: It helps regulate blood sugar, improves lipid profiles, and supports liver function 1 2 5 6.
• Safe for most adults: Clinical trials report good tolerability and minimal side effects, though caution is advised for pregnant women and people on certain medications 6.
• Effective dosages: 1–2 cups of tea daily or commercial extracts taken as directed provide measurable benefits, usually within 4–8 weeks 5 6.

In summary:

• Agrimony offers real, measurable benefits for oxidative stress, inflammation, metabolic, and liver health.
• Most adults can use it safely for up to 8 weeks at studied dosages.
• Consult your healthcare provider if you have special health concerns or are pregnant/breastfeeding.
• Always source agrimony from reputable suppliers to ensure purity and safety.

Agrimony may be an ancient remedy, but today’s science is giving it new relevance for holistic, evidence-based wellness.