Agrimonia pilosa
StarAgrimonia pilosa
Synonyms: Agrimonia pilosa f. typica, Agrimonia striata subsp. pilosa, Agrimonia dahurica var. pilosa, Agrimonia eupatoria var. pilosa
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Agrimonia pilosa, hairy or Asian agrimony, is an erect perennial herb in the family Rosaceae, growing 30 to 120 cm tall from a short woody rhizome. It occurs across temperate East Asia, including the Korean Peninsula, Japan, China and the Russian Far East, with a continuous range extending westward through Siberia into eastern Europe. The stems are pubescent, more densely so toward the base, and bear alternate, odd-pinnate leaves with two to four pairs of major leaflets interspersed with smaller secondary leaflets along the rachis; the leaflets are ovate-elliptic, coarsely serrate and softly hairy beneath. Long, slender, terminal racemes of small, five-petalled yellow flowers open from late spring through summer, each subtended by a small bract. Fruits are dry hypanthial achenes crowned by a ring of hooked bristles that adhere to fur and clothing, aiding dispersal. The plant typically grows along roadsides, woodland margins and damp grasslands on a wide range of soils and pH conditions.
Active Constituents
Agrimoniin
Ellagitannin (dimeric hydrolysable tannin)Concentration: A characteristic major tannin of the aerial parts
A principal astringent and immunomodulatory constituent. Agrimoniin shows antitumor activity in rodent models attributed to enhancement of the host immune response, and contributes to the hemostatic and antioxidant actions traditionally associated with the herb.
Agrimonolide
IsocoumarinConcentration: Characteristic isocoumarin of the aerial parts
A well-studied bioactive with antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities reported in experimental models; isolated (with desmethylagrimonolide) as an α-glucosidase inhibitor (IC50 ~24 µM), a mechanism relevant to blood-glucose lowering.
Agrimol B
Phloroglucinol derivativeConcentration: Minor constituent of the phloroglucinol fraction
Reported to inhibit growth of cancer/tumour cells in vitro and studied for anti-adipogenic and cytotoxic activity; part of the phloroglucinol series characteristic of Agrimonia.
Apigenin-7-O-glucuronide and luteolin-7-O-glucuronide
Flavone glycosidesConcentration: Major flavonoids of the aerial parts
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoids that scavenge free radicals and are among the compounds used as chemical markers for the herb.
Ellagic acid
Phenolic acid (tannin hydrolysis product)Concentration: Present alongside the ellagitannins
A polyphenol with antioxidant and reported antiproliferative activity; released on hydrolysis of the ellagitannins.
Quercetin and related flavonols
Flavonol aglycone/glycosidesConcentration: Common flavonoid constituents
Broad antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoids contributing to the plant's radical-scavenging capacity.
Condensed and hydrolysable tannins (catechin-type)
TanninsConcentration: Astringent tannin fraction, quantitatively significant
Provide the marked astringency that underlies traditional use for diarrhoea, dysentery and bleeding, precipitating proteins to form a protective, hemostatic layer on mucosa.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Oral antidiabetic drugs (e.g. acarbose, sulfonylureas, insulin)
Isocoumarins and triterpenes of A. pilosa inhibit α-glucosidase and improve insulin sensitivity in experimental models. Combined with glucose-lowering drugs this could theoretically add to hypoglycaemic effect. Evidence is preclinical; no human interaction reports are documented.
Clinical note: If used alongside antidiabetic therapy, monitor blood glucose for additive lowering.
Warfarin and other anticoagulants
The herb is traditionally hemostatic and rich in tannins; a theoretical opposition to anticoagulant effect has been raised, but no clinical data confirm a meaningful interaction. The large tannin content may also nonspecifically reduce absorption of co-administered oral drugs if taken together.
Clinical note: Separate dosing from oral medications by ~2 hours; monitor anticoagulation if used regularly.
Preparation Methods
Decoction (traditional water extract)
Parts: Aerial parts (whole herb), Leaf, Stem
The dried aerial parts (known in East Asian medicine as xian he cao) are simmered in water and taken as an astringent, hemostatic remedy for diarrhoea, dysentery and various forms of bleeding. Typical traditional doses are in the order of 6-12 g dried herb per day, adjusted by a practitioner.
Tincture / fluid extract
Parts: Aerial parts (whole herb)
A hydro-ethanolic extract of the aerial parts used for the same astringent and hemostatic indications, providing a stable, standardisable dosage form.
Topical wash / poultice
Parts: Aerial parts (whole herb), Leaf
A strong decoction is applied externally as a wash or poultice for minor wounds, skin sores and to help stem bleeding, exploiting the tannin astringency.
Clinical Studies
Isolation of Isocoumarins and Flavonoids as α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from Agrimonia pilosa L.
Bioassay-guided isolation identified agrimonolide and desmethylagrimonolide (isocoumarins) together with flavonoids as α-glucosidase inhibitors from A. pilosa, agrimonolide showing potent inhibition (IC50 ~24.2 µM). Supports a mechanistic basis for the herb's traditional and experimental antidiabetic use.
Historical Texts
Chinese Pharmacopoeia (Xian He Cao / 仙鹤草)
Traditional East Asian materia medica; modern editionsReferences
- Wang Y, Zhang N, Kan J, et al.. Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb.: A review of its traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology . Heliyon (2022) [DOI]
- Jin X, Song S, Wang J, et al.. Agrimonia pilosa: A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review . Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2022) [DOI]
- Park MJ, Kang YH. Isolation of Isocoumarins and Flavonoids as α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from Agrimonia pilosa L. . Molecules (2020) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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