Hemp agrimony
Scientific names: Eupatorium cannabinum
Family: Asteraceae/Compositae
Alternate names: Alpenkraut, Cañamazo, Cáñamo Acuático, Cannabine, Chanvre d'Eau, Chanvrin, Donnerkraut, Dostenkraut, Drachenkraut, Dutch Agrimony, Dutch Eupatoire Commune, Eupatorio, Eupatorium, Gemeiner Wasswedost, Herbe de Sainte Cunégonde, Hirshklee, Holy Rope, Kunigundendraut, Leberkraut, Origan des Marais, St. John's Herb, Sweet Mandulin, Sweet-Smelling Trefoil, Thoroughwort, Wasshanf, Waterhemp, Water Maudlin
Background
Hemp agrimony is an herb. The flowering parts of the plant are used to make medicine.
Despite serious safety concerns, hemp agrimony is sometimes used for liver and gallbladder disorders, skin infections, colds, and fever. There is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Despite serious safety concerns, hemp agrimony is sometimes used for liver and gallbladder disorders, skin infections, colds, and fever. There is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Hemp agrimony contains chemicals called hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). PAs may block blood flow in the veins and cause liver damage. They might also cause cancer and birth defects. Hemp agrimony preparations that are not certified and labeled "hepatotoxic PA-free" are considered LIKELY UNSAFE.
When applied to the skin: It is LIKELY UNSAFE to apply hemp agrimony to broken skin. The dangerous chemicals in hemp agrimony can be absorbed quickly through broken skin and can lead to dangerous body-wide toxicity. Steer clear of skin products that aren't certified and labeled "hepatotoxic PA-free." There isn't enough reliable information to know if it's safe to apply hemp agrimony to unbroken skin. It's best to avoid use.
It's not known whether products that are certified hepatotoxic PA-free are safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid using any hemp agrimony preparation if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Hemp agrimony may cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking hemp agrimony.
Liver disease: There is concern that the hepatotoxic PAs in hemp agrimony might make liver disease worse.
When applied to the skin: It is LIKELY UNSAFE to apply hemp agrimony to broken skin. The dangerous chemicals in hemp agrimony can be absorbed quickly through broken skin and can lead to dangerous body-wide toxicity. Steer clear of skin products that aren't certified and labeled "hepatotoxic PA-free." There isn't enough reliable information to know if it's safe to apply hemp agrimony to unbroken skin. It's best to avoid use.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is LIKELY UNSAFE to use hemp agrimony preparations that might contain hepatotoxic PAs during pregnancy. These products might cause birth defects and liver damage. It is also LIKELY UNSAFE to use hemp agrimony preparations that might contain hepatotoxic PAs if you are breast-feeding. These chemicals can pass into breast-milk and might harm the nursing infant.It's not known whether products that are certified hepatotoxic PA-free are safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid using any hemp agrimony preparation if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Hemp agrimony may cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking hemp agrimony.
Liver disease: There is concern that the hepatotoxic PAs in hemp agrimony might make liver disease worse.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Liver disorders.
- Gallbladder disorders.
- Colds.
- Fever.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of hemp agrimony depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for hemp agrimony. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Hemp agrimony might harm the liver. Taking hemp agrimony along with medication that might also harm the liver can increase the risk of liver damage. Do not take hemp agrimony if you are taking a medication that can harm the liver.
Some medications that can harm the liver include acetaminophen (Tylenol and others), amiodarone (Cordarone), carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid (INH), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), methyldopa (Aldomet), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), erythromycin (Erythrocin, Ilosone, others), phenytoin (Dilantin), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), and many others.
Medications that increase break down of other medications by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inducers)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Hemp agrimony is broken down by the liver. Some chemicals that form when the liver breaks down hemp agrimony can be harmful. Medications that cause the liver to break down hemp agrimony might enhance the toxic effects of chemicals contained in hemp agrimony.
Some of these medicines include carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin, rifabutin (Mycobutin), and others.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs that increase the breakdown of other herbs by the liver: Hemp agrimony is broken down by the liver. Some chemicals that form when the liver breaks down hemp agrimony can be harmful. Other herbs that cause the liver to break down hemp agrimony might increase the toxic effects of the chemicals contained in hemp agrimony. Some of the herbs are echinacea, garlic, licorice, St. John's wort, and schisandra.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs)-containing herbs and supplements: Hemp agrimony contains PAs, dangerous chemicals that can harm the liver. Using it along with other herbs that also contain this dangerous chemical might increase the chance of developing serious side effects, including liver damage and cancer. Other herbs that contain hepatotoxic PAs include alkanna, boneset, borage, butterbur, coltsfoot, comfrey, forget-me-not, gravel root, hound's tongue, dusty miller, groundsel, golden ragwort, and tansy ragwort.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs)-containing herbs and supplements: Hemp agrimony contains PAs, dangerous chemicals that can harm the liver. Using it along with other herbs that also contain this dangerous chemical might increase the chance of developing serious side effects, including liver damage and cancer. Other herbs that contain hepatotoxic PAs include alkanna, boneset, borage, butterbur, coltsfoot, comfrey, forget-me-not, gravel root, hound's tongue, dusty miller, groundsel, golden ragwort, and tansy ragwort.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
There isn't enough information available to know how hemp agrimony works.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 12/09/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 04/08/2020 20:08:54. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
