Hemp Agrimony
OTHER NAME(S): 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, Eupatorium cannabinum, Agrimonia de Cáñamo, Eupatoire D'avicenne
Overview
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.
There isn't enough information available to know how hemp agrimony works.
There isn't enough information available to know how hemp agrimony works.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Liver disorders.
- Gallbladder disorders.
- Colds.
- Fever.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of hemp agrimony for these uses.
Side Effects
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.
Precautions
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.
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.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications that increase break down of other medications by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inducers) interacts with Hemp AgrimonyHemp 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.
- Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with Hemp AgrimonyHemp 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.
Dosing
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.
References
- Klepser TB, Klepser ME. Unsafe and potentially safe herbal therapies. Am J Health Syst Pharm 1999;56:125-38.
- WHO working group. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Environmental Health Criteria, 80. WHO: Geneva, 1988.
- Food and Drug Administration. FDA Advises Dietary Supplement Manufacturers to Remove Comfrey Products From the Market. July 6, 2001. Available at: https://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/dspltr06.html.
- Chojkier M. Hepatic sinusoidal-obstruction syndrome: toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. J Hepatol 2003;39:437-46.
- Roeder E. Medicinal plants in Europe containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Pharmazie 1995;50:83-98.
- Wang YP, Yan J, Fu PP, Chou MW. Human liver microsomal reduction of pyrrolizidine alkaloid N-oxides to form the corresponding carcinogenic parent alkaloid. Toxicol Lett 2005;155:411-20.