This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Bidens tripartita contains flavonoids and polyacetylenes that exhibit anti-inflammatory and antihistamine-like activity. The flavonoids inhibit inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and histamine release from mast cells, while tannins provide astringent effects on mucous membranes. Phenolic acids contribute additional antioxidant activity. These combined actions help reduce allergic responses and skin inflammation. Evidence level: C (based on preclinical data and traditional use; human clinical trials are limited).
Does Bidens tripartita interact with any medications?
Bidens tripartita may interact with diuretic medications due to its mild diuretic effects, potentially enhancing fluid loss and electrolyte imbalances. It may also potentiate the effects of antihypertensive drugs. Caution is advised when combining with anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications, as polyacetylenes may affect bleeding parameters. Consult a healthcare provider before combining with prescription medications. Evidence level: C (based on pharmacological properties and theoretical interactions).
What is the recommended dosage for Bidens tripartita?
The traditional adult dosage for Bidens tripartita is 3-5 grams of dried herb prepared as a tea, taken three times daily. To prepare, steep the dried herb in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Liquid extracts and tinctures are also available but should follow manufacturer guidelines. Dosage has not been established for children. Evidence level: C (based on traditional use and pharmacopoeial standards in Russian and Eastern European herbal medicine).
Is Bidens tripartita safe during pregnancy?
Bidens tripartita is contraindicated during pregnancy. The herb contains compounds that may stimulate uterine contractions, and its diuretic effects could disrupt fluid balance during pregnancy. Traditional sources explicitly advise against use in pregnant women. Insufficient safety data exists for breastfeeding. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should avoid this herb entirely. Evidence level: C (based on traditional contraindications and pharmacological properties).
What is Bidens tripartita used for in herbal medicine?
Bidens tripartita is traditionally used for skin disorders, allergic conditions, and urinary complaints. In Russian and Eastern European folk medicine, it treats eczema, dermatitis, and minor wounds when applied topically or taken internally. It is also used for allergic rhinitis, fever reduction, and as a mild diuretic for urinary tract support. Chinese medicine employs it for similar indications. Evidence level: C (supported by traditional use and some preclinical studies).
What are the side effects of Bidens tripartita?
Common side effects of Bidens tripartita include mild gastrointestinal upset such as nausea or stomach discomfort. The herb's diuretic action may cause increased urination and potential electrolyte changes with prolonged use. Allergic reactions are rare but possible, particularly in individuals sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family. Those with kidney disease should avoid this herb. Evidence level: C (based on traditional use reports and pharmacological properties).
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 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Bidens tripartita, also known as Three-lobe Beggarticks or bur marigold, is a flowering plant used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties [PMID:24502053, PMID:23700917].
Background
Bidens tripartita is a flowering plant in the genus Bidens, family Compositae (Asteraceae), subfamily Asteroideae [PMID:24502053, PMID:23700917]. It is a European native species often found on riverbanks and in karst regions [PMID:40442159, PMID:35615141].
Traditional uses
Traditionally, it has been used as a remedy for chronic dysentery [PMID:30275354], scours [PMID:11639707], and for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, astringent, diuretic, febrifuge, narcotic, and sedative effects [PMID:24502053]. It is also used in some countries for its antidiabetic properties [PMID:27872708].
The plant exhibits radical scavenging activity via its flavonoids [PMID:18540165]. Some extracts demonstrate inhibitory activity against alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase [PMID:29217268]. It also acts as a quorum sensing (QS) agonist by mimicking acyl-homoserine lactone [PMID:24914718].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DInflammation
Aqueous infusion significantly reduced carrageenan-induced acute paw edema in rats and showed analgesic and antipyretic properties [PMID:19748256].
Evidence DDiabetes/Hyperglycemia
Ethyl acetate and n-butanol sub-extracts showed potent antidiabetic and hypoglycemic activity in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats [PMID:27872708].
Evidence DBacterial Pathologies (Fish)
Herbal infusions showed a positive vulnerary effect, eliminating infection and promoting wound healing in sturgeon [PMID:33935397].
Evidence DMicrobial Infections
Extracts showed antimicrobial activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, while essential oils exhibited strong antifungal activity [PMID:19056546, PMID:21370967].
Safety & adverse effects
Acute toxicity was assessed in mice using the median lethal dose (LD50) calculation via a limit dose test [PMID:23700917]. Essential oil was tested for biocompatibility on human dermal fibroblasts using MTT and COMET assays to exclude toxic effects [PMID:30275354].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo animal models (Level D), demonstrating significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial potential, but lacks human clinical trials.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 40442159 (2025) — Selenium content and bioaccumulation in Bidens tripartita and Bidens frondosa under different habitat conditions in Poland and Montenegro. · Scientific reports
2.PMID: 32442590 (2020) — Evaluation of the effects of Bidens tripartita extracts and their main constituents on intestinal motility - An ex vivo study. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
3.PMID: 27872708 (2016) — Anti-hyperglycaemic and antioxidant effects of Bidens tripartita and quantitative analysis on its active principles. · Iranian journal of basic medical sciences
4.PMID: 24502053 (2013) — In vivo biocompatibility evaluation of some Bidens tripartita extracts in rats. · Revista medico-chirurgicala a Societatii de Medici si Naturalisti din Iasi
5.PMID: 23700917 (2012) — Experimental researches on acute toxicity of a Bidens tripartita extract in mice - preliminary investigations.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
· Revista medico-chirurgicala a Societatii de Medici si Naturalisti din Iasi
6.PMID: 18540165 (2007) — Antioxidant activity of extracts and flavonoids from Bidens tripartita. · Acta poloniae pharmaceutica
7.PMID: 24742754 (2014) — Medicinal plants of the Russian Pharmacopoeia; their history and applications. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
8.PMID: 33935397 (2021) — The vulnerary potential of botanical medicines in the treatment of bacterial pathologies in fish. · Veterinary world
9.PMID: 30275354 (2018) — Novel Gel Formulations as Topical Carriers for the Essential Oil of Bidens tripartita for the Treatment of Candidiasis. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
10.PMID: 27231727 (2016) — A micelle mediated extraction as a new method of obtaining the infusion of Bidens tripartita. · Acta biochimica Polonica
11.PMID: 25830954 (2015) — Investigation of recovery of volatiles of Bidens tripartita L. using solid-phase extraction trap in supercritical fluid extraction. · Acta chimica Slovenica
12.PMID: 42312292 (2026) — Bioactive plant metabolites with antihyperglycemic properties: prospects for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus. · 3 Biotech
13.PMID: 29217268 (2018) — Novel in vitro and in silico insights of the multi-biological activities and chemical composition of Bidens tripartita L. · Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
14.PMID: 19056546 (2008) — Antimicrobial and antifungal activities of the extracts and essential oils of Bidens tripartita. · Folia histochemica et cytobiologica
15.PMID: 24914718 (2014) — Antibacterial and quorum sensing regulatory activities of some traditional Eastern-European medicinal plants. · Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)
16.PMID: 37446627 (2023) — Antiangiogenic, Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Bidens tripartite Herb, Galium verum Herb and Rumex hydrolapathum Root. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
17.PMID: 41463411 (2025) — Anthelmintic Activity of Traditional Medicinal Plants Used in Europe. · Biology
18.PMID: 31810125 (2020) — In vivo anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activities of cynaroside evaluated by using hydrogel formulations. · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
19.PMID: 35615141 (2022) — Indigenous Microorganisms Offset Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi-Induced Plant Growth and Nutrient Acquisition Through Negatively Modulating the Genes of Phosphorus Transport and Nitrogen Assimilation. · Frontiers in plant science
20.PMID: 31627100 (2019) — Incorporation of bioflavonoids from Bidens tripartite into micelles of non-ionic surfactants - experimental and theoretical studies. · Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces
21.PMID: 35468152 (2022) — Indigenous microorganisms offset the benefits of growth and nutrition regulated by inoculated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for four pioneer herbs in karst soil. · PloS one
22.PMID: 19748256 (2010) — Anti-inflammatory activity of a HPLC-fingerprinted aqueous infusion of aerial part of Bidens tripartita L. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
23.PMID: 26385445 (2016) — Synthesis and evaluation of substituted 3-(pyridin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide derivatives as potent herbicidal agents. · Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry
24.PMID: 25310699 (2014) — The relation between polyaromatic hydrocarbon concentration in sewage sludge and its uptake by plants: Phragmites communis, Polygonum persicaria and Bidens tripartita. · PloS one
25.PMID: 38286306 (2024) — Effect of ammonium sulfate combined with aqueous bio-chelator on Cd uptake by Cd-hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. · Chemosphere
26.PMID: 26206119 (2015) — Performance and responses to competition in two congeneric annual species: does seed heteromorphism matter? · Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany)
27.PMID: 30993042 (2019) — Vegetation dynamics of abandoned paddy fields and surrounding wetlands in the lower Tumen River Basin, Northeast China. · PeerJ
28.PMID: 21370967 (2011) — Composition of the essential oil of Bidens tripartita L. roots and its antibacterial and antifungal activities. · Journal of medicinal food
29.PMID: 11639707 (1992) — [Historical and herbalogical studies on coloring crude drug (Part 1): "Langbacao"]. · Yakushigaku zasshi