Ageratum Conyzoides (Ageratum conyzoides): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Ageratum conyzoides work for wound healing?

Ageratum conyzoides promotes wound healing primarily through antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Its essential oils and flavonoids inhibit bacterial growth, preventing wound infection, while chromenes reduce local inflammation and pain. Research suggests these active compounds accelerate tissue contraction and collagen deposition, facilitating faster closure of wounds. However, the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids limits its safety profile, making topical application the preferred method over internal use for treating injuries (Evidence Level: C/Traditional).

Does Ageratum conyzoides interact with liver medications?

Yes, Ageratum conyzoides poses significant interaction risks with liver medications due to its hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Combining this herb with drugs that stress the liver, such as acetaminophen, statins, or antiretrovirals, increases the risk of liver damage or veno-occlusive disease. It may also alter the metabolism of drugs processed by cytochrome P450 enzymes. Patients taking hepatotoxic medications or those with compromised liver function should strictly avoid internal consumption of this herb (Evidence Level: D).

What is the recommended dosage for Ageratum conyzoides?

The traditional adult dosage for Ageratum conyzoides is 3 to 6 grams of dried leaf prepared as a decoction, taken internally. For external wound care or rheumatic pain, a paste made from fresh leaves is applied topically to the affected area. Due to the presence of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, internal use should be restricted to short durations only. Long-term ingestion is strongly discouraged to prevent cumulative liver damage (Evidence Level: Traditional).

Is Ageratum conyzoides safe during pregnancy?

No, Ageratum conyzoides is considered unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are known hepatotoxins and potential teratogens that can cross the placental barrier. Ingestion during pregnancy may cause fetal liver damage or developmental abnormalities. Additionally, the herb may stimulate uterine contractions, increasing the risk of miscarriage. Pregnant women should avoid all forms of this herb, including topical applications on large skin areas (Evidence Level: C).

What are the side effects of Ageratum conyzoides?

The most serious side effect of Ageratum conyzoides is hepatotoxicity, specifically hepatic veno-occlusive disease, caused by its pyrrolizidine alkaloid content. Prolonged internal use can lead to abdominal swelling, jaundice, and liver cirrhosis. Topical application may cause contact dermatitis or skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Because the toxic alkaloids are excreted in breast milk, nursing mothers risk poisoning their infants. Users should immediately discontinue use if signs of liver distress appear (Evidence Level: C).

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Ageratum conyzoides, also known as Billy goat weed, is an invasive annual aromatic herb distributed in tropical and subtropical regions with significant therapeutic potential [PMID:31290201, PMID:37375954].

Background

Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae) is an annual herbaceous plant of American origin that has naturalized globally, particularly in Tropical America, Africa, Asia, and Europe [PMID:39407602, PMID:37375954]. It is characterized by rapid growth, strong ecological adaptability, and is often considered an invasive alien species in agricultural and natural ecosystems [PMID:39407602, PMID:39463739].

Traditional uses

The herb has a long history of traditional medicinal use in tropical and subtropical regions [PMID:11864757]. It has been used to treat ailments including leprosy, skin disorders, sleeping sickness, rheumatism, headaches, dyspnea, toothache, pneumonia, dysentery, diarrhea, and as a wound dressing, antimicrobial, and mouthwash [PMID:31290201, PMID:34069197]. It is also empirically used as an antihemorrhagic, antiseptic, and wound-healing agent [PMID:33110668].

Active compounds

Isolated chemical compounds include alkaloids, flavonoids, chromenes, benzofurans, terpenoids, sterols, phenols, phenolic esters, and coumarins [PMID:11864757, PMID:31290201, PMID:33110668]. Essential oils from white flower chemotypes predominantly contain precocene I (80.4%) and (E)-caryophyllene (14.8%), while purple flower chemotypes contain β-acoradiene, γ-amorphene, α-pinene, bicyclogermacrene, and α-santalene [PMID:37178553].

Mechanism of action

Aqueous extracts of A. conyzoides inhibit inflammation by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation [PMID:36907476]. It may also exert anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) [PMID:34486351]. In hair growth models, standardized extract (ACE) inhibited 5α-reductase activity, modulated ERα and ERβ signaling, and activated Wnt/β-catenin and MAPK pathways [PMID:40871645]. In wound repair, it promotes haemostasis by lowering plasma fibrinogen and enhancing platelet-derived growth factors [PMID:40820482].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DInflammation

Aqueous extracts show anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation [PMID:36907476] and inhibiting iNOS [PMID:34486351].

Evidence DHair Loss

Standardized extract (ACE) demonstrated trichogenic potential in human follicle dermal papilla cells and C57BL/6 mice [PMID:40871645].

Evidence CWound Healing

Promotes haemostasis by lowering plasma fibrinogen and enhancing platelet-derived growth factors [PMID:40820482].

Evidence DMosquito Larvae

Petroleum ether crude extracts showed significant larvicidal activity (92-96%) against Ae. aegypti, An. stephensi, and Cx. quinquefasciatus [PMID:33543438].

Safety & adverse effects

Toxicological studies have been conducted to evaluate the safety profile for clinical development [PMID:34069197, PMID:31290201].

Evidence summary

The current evidence is primarily based on review articles, in vitro studies, and animal models (Level C and D). There is a lack of human clinical trials to establish standardized dosing or clinical efficacy.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 11864757 (2002) — Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae). · Fitoterapia
2.PMID: 39407602 (2024) — Defense Molecules of the Invasive Plant Species Ageratum conyzoides. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 37375954 (2023) — Ecology, Biology, Environmental Impacts, and Management of an Agro-Environmental Weed Ageratum conyzoides. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 31290201 (2019) — Phytochemical constituents and ethnopharmacological properties of Ageratum conyzoides L. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
5.PMID: 37954507 (2023) — The Potentials of Ageratum conyzoides and Other Plants from Asteraceae as an Antiplasmodial and Insecticidal for Malaria Vector: An Article Review. · Infection and drug resistance

Ageratum Conyzoides

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Ageratum Conyzoides