Hemp Agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Hemp Agrimony work to support the immune system?

Hemp Agrimony acts primarily as an immunostimulant due to its content of polysaccharides, which are thought to enhance the body's non-specific immune response. It also contains sesquiterpene lactones that contribute to its bitter properties, potentially stimulating digestive secretions. Traditionally, it is used to induce sweating to manage fevers. However, the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids means its therapeutic mechanism is inseparable from potential liver stress (Evidence Level C/Traditional).

Does Hemp Agrimony interact with medications?

Yes, Hemp Agrimony poses significant interaction risks due to its pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) content. It should strictly not be combined with medications that tax the liver or cause hepatotoxicity, such as acetaminophen, isoniazid, or certain antifungals. Additionally, because it may influence immune activity, caution is advised when used alongside immunosuppressants. The theoretical risk of additive liver damage is the primary concern for drug interactions (Evidence Level C/D).

What is the safe dosage for Hemp Agrimony tea?

The standard adult dosage for Hemp Agrimony is 2-4 grams of dried herb infused as a tea, taken two to three times daily. Because the herb contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, internal use must be strictly limited to a maximum of six weeks per year to prevent cumulative liver damage. Dosage recommendations are based on traditional use and expert consensus rather than rigorous clinical trials (Evidence Level C).

Is Hemp Agrimony safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

No, Hemp Agrimony is unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The herb contains unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which are known hepatotoxins that can cross the placenta and pass into breast milk. These compounds carry a risk of causing liver damage, veno-occlusive disease, and potential birth defects. Consequently, it is contraindicated for pregnant or nursing women and should be avoided entirely (Evidence Level B/C).

What are the side effects of taking Hemp Agrimony?

The primary safety concern is hepatotoxicity caused by pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can lead to serious liver damage or veno-occlusive disease if used long-term. Common side effects may include gastrointestinal upset and allergic skin reactions, particularly in individuals sensitive to the Asteraceae family. Due to these risks, use should be short-term and avoided by individuals with pre-existing liver disease (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 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Eupatorium cannabinum (Hemp Agrimony) is a plant of the Asteraceae family used in traditional medicine for liver diseases and diarrhea [PMID:26439817].

Background

Eupatorium cannabinum L. is a member of the Asteraceae family [PMID:26439817]. It is found in various regions, including Lithuania, Romania, and Spain [PMID:26439817, PMID:40006144, PMID:33683253], and is noted for its ability to tolerate arsenic stress and hyperaccumulate boron in contaminated soils [PMID:31286371, PMID:33835205].

Traditional uses

The plant is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diarrhea and liver diseases [PMID:26439817]. It has also been used in remedies in Northwest Spain [PMID:33683253] and is mentioned in the context of Avicenna's 'Canon of Medicine' for liver and spleen illnesses [PMID:30984575].

Active compounds

Bioactive molecules include terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and phytoecdysteroids [PMID:40006144]. Specific compounds identified include pyrrolizidine alkaloids (such as supinine, echinatine, viridiflorine, and amabiline) [PMID:6364036, PMID:1471612, PMID:17269067], flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, eupatilin, eupatorin, hispidulin, and eupafolin) [PMID:30814897, PMID:2594467], sesquiterpene lactones [PMID:3537953], and thymol derivatives [PMID:25238078, PMID:21391659].

Mechanism of action

Certain compounds from E. cannabinum, such as eupaformosanin, induce apoptosis and ferroptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells via ubiquitination of mutant p53, leading to mitochondrial ROS accumulation and glutathione depletion [PMID:35469839]. Other constituents have shown inhibition of superoxide anion generation and elastase release in human neutrophils [PMID:21391659].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DHepatotoxicity (Rat model)

An aqueous extract demonstrated choleretic effects (inducing hypercholeresis) and anti-necrotic properties against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity, reducing plasma GPT levels [PMID:2748727]

Evidence DCancer (In vitro)

Extracts showed antiproliferative potential against Jurkat, Caco-2, BT-20, and HepG2 cell lines [PMID:30814897]; ethanolic extract caused severe loss of viability in HT29 colon cancer cells [PMID:25056133]; and specific isolates showed cytotoxicity against DLD-1, CCRF-CEM, and HL-60 lines [PMID:25238078].

Safety & adverse effects

The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are identified as potential health risks in bee-collected pollen supplements [PMID:28956733]. Certain sesquiterpene lactones (3 beta-peroxyeucannabinolide and eupatoriopicrin) have demonstrated weak sensitizing capacity in guinea pigs [PMID:9615309].

Evidence summary

The current evidence is primarily based on phytochemical profiling and in vitro or animal studies (Level D). There are no human clinical trials (Level B) or systematic reviews (Level A) provided in the source material.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 26439817 (2016) — Variability, toxicity, and antioxidant activity of Eupatorium cannabinum (hemp agrimony) essential oils. · Pharmaceutical biology
2.PMID: 6364036 (1983) — Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, flavonoids and volatile compounds in the genus Eupatorium. Eupatorium cannabinum L., an ancient drug with new perspectives. · Pharmaceutisch weekblad. Scientific edition
3.PMID: 40006144 (2025) — Wild-Grown Romanian Eupatorium cannabinum: Advancing Phyto-Nanocarriers via Maltodextrin Micro-Spray Encapsulation-Metabolite Profiling, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Cytotoxicity Insights. · Polymers
4.PMID: 34685825 (2021) — Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Infusions of Different Medicinal Plants for Use in Obstetrics. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 3537953 (1986) — Eupatorium cannabinum L. A review emphasizing the sesquiterpene lactones and their biological activity.

Hemp Agrimony

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Hemp Agrimony