Hemp Agrimony
Botanical Description & Habitat
Eupatorium cannabium
Family
Compositae (Asteraceae)
Common Names
Sweet-smelling trefoil
Water maudlin
Habitat
America, Europe, Asia, along shorelines, in ditches, and in other moist places.
Medicinal Parts
Flower-heads, leaves and roots.
Historical Properties & Uses
Hemp agrimony is normally used for two seemingly unrelated purposes: as a cholagogue, and as an antirheumatic. Hemp is also diuretic, emetic, expectorant and purgative, depending upon the dosage.
The infusion of leaves is normally used for liver problems and rheumatism, while a decoction of roots is used as an expectorant, and in large doses possesses the emetic and purgative actions. Hemp agrimony is also applied externally to bruises, sores, swellings and wounds.
Method of Action
Hemp Agrimony has Cholagogue, Diuretic and Antirheumatic Action
Hemp agrimony contains bitters which account for its chola activity; tannins, which may act as diuretics, and certainly contribute to the effectiveness of external applications; nicotinic acid also contributing to the herb's action on liver and gallbladder.
One study found a significant uricolitic effect, but without a diuretic effect.
Hemp Agrimony Possesses Considerable Anti-Cancer Activity
Several studies have found positive effects in routine screenin test for cytostatic activity: fibrosarcoma FIO 26; Lewis lung carcinoma; Walker 256-carcinoma.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
Hemp Agrimony, insofar as its diuretic action increases the renal excretion of sodium and chloride, may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuremic effects of glucose elevating agents. Diuretics may potentiate the action of antihypertensive, ganglionic or peripheral adrenergic blocking drugs, tubocurarine and norepinephrine.
The effects of dopamine and diuretic agents are additive
Diuretics may potentiate the action of antihypertensive drugs, ganglionic or peripheral adrenergic blocking drugs, tubocurarine and norepinephrine.
In sub-laxative and sub-emetic doses hemp agrimony should have no drug interactions. At higher doses, interactions similar to those involving diuretics and cathartics may occur. Hemp agrimony, due to its cathartic activity, may potentiate anticoagulant therapy by reducing absorption of vitamin K from the gut. It may also inhibit absorption of dextrose from the intestines.
This cathartic may increase intestinal transit time of digitalis glycosides, inhibit their absorption and cardiac action. Cathartic-induced hypokalmia increases toxicity and potency of absorbed digitalis.
Cathartic-induced hypokalemia potentiates muscle relaxants
In addition to the specific interactions listed, the cathartic action of hemp agrimony tend to hasten the passage of all oral medications through the gut and thereby inhibit their action.
Possible Interactions
In conjunction with ACTH or corticosteroids, this diuretic is more prone to produce hypokalemia.
The use of diuretics may require dosage adjustments of antidiabetic drugs.
The diuretic action of this herb may reduce renal clearance of lithium.
An initial dose of captopril (an antihypertensive) may cause a severe drop in blood pressure within three hours if the person is also using a strong diuretic.
Laxative-induced diarrhea may result in decreased absorption of isoniazid the same is true with sulfisoxazole, but it appears to be a clinically unimportant interaction effect.
Comments
Prolonged use of this diuretic may affect certain lab test results such as electrolytes (esp. K and Na), bun, uric acid, glucose, and pbi.
Strong diuretics such as this in conjunction with indomethacin may produce natriuretic effects.
Laxative induced increased speed of intestinal emptying may result in decreased absorption of vitamin K and/or anticoagulants.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
In therapeutic doses, hemp agrimony is nontoxic.
Preparation & Administration
Infusion
Steep 2 tsp. leaves or herb in 1 cup of water
Take 1 cup a day
Cold extract
Soak 1 tbsp leaves or herb in 1 cup cold water for 8-10 hours
Take 1cup a day
References
Geiachetti, D., E. Taddei & I. Taddie. Ricerche sull-attivita diuretica ed uricosurica di agrimonia eupatoria l. Boll Soc. It. Biol. Sper., LXII(6), 705, 1986.
Malingre, T.M. Eupatorium cannabium L, een oud geneeskruid met nieuwe perspectieven. Pharm. Weekblad, 106, 738-744, 1971.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
von Gizycki, F. Agrimonia eupatoria L.--Der Odermennig. Pharmazie, 4(10), 463-471.
Woerdenbag, H.J., et.al. Cytostatic activity of eupatoriopicrin in fibrosarcoma bearing mice. Phytotherapy Research, 1(2), 76-79, 1987.
Woerdenbag, H.J., et.al. Reduced levels of glutathione in liver and tumor tissue of the mouse after administration of eupatoriopicrin. Phytotherapy Research, 2(2), 80-84, 1988.
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