Agrimony
Other Names: Ackerkraut, Agrimonia, Agrimonia eupatoria, Church Steeples, Cocklebur, Funffing, Herbe de Saint-Guillaume, Liverwort, Stickwort
What interactions should I watch for?
Prescription Drugs
In theory, very large oral doses of agrimony taken consistently for long periods of time could increase the time blood needs to clot. When it is taken with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, the effect of the drug may be increased, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding.
- Antiplatelet drugs include clopidogrel and Ticlid
- Anticoagulants include heparin and warfarin
Because agrimony may have a small lowering effect on blood sugar, it may increase the effectiveness of insulin and oral medications used for the treatment of diabetes. Individuals who are taking medications for diabetes, should talk to their doctors or pharmacists before using agrimony.
Due to its possible ability to lower blood pressure, taking agrimony orally may increase the effects of drugs that also lower blood pressure. Some blood pressure-lowering drugs are:
- ACE inhibitors such as captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, and lisinopril
- Beta blockers such as atenolol, metoprolol, and propranolol
- Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine, nifedipine, and verapamil
- Diuretics such as Dyazide, furosemide, and hydrochlorothiazide
Non-prescription Drugs
In theory, very large oral doses of agrimony taken consistently for long periods of time may decrease the ability of blood to clot after an injury. Aspirin can also delay clotting, so agrimony should not be taken orally at the same time aspirin is being taken.
Herbals
Theoretically, if agrimony is used with other herbs that may affect blood clotting, excess bleeding may occur. Some of the most common herbal products that might inhibit blood clotting are:
- Danshen
- Devil's Claw
- Eleuthero
- Garlic
- Ginger (in high amounts)
- Ginkgo
- Horse Chestnut
- Panax Ginseng
- Papain
- Red Clover
- Saw Palmetto
Because agrimony may decrease blood sugar levels, taking it with other blood sugar-lowering herbal products may slightly increase the risk of hypoglycemia--blood sugar that is too low. Herbals that may reduce blood sugar include:
- Eleuthero
- Fenugreek
- Ginger (in high amounts)
- Kudzu
- Panax Ginseng
Agrimony is thought to lower blood pressure slightly. If agrimony is taken at the same time as other herbals that may also lower blood pressure, the risk that blood pressure may become too low may increase. Signs of low blood pressure may not be apparent, but confusion, dizziness, fainting, headache, and irregular heartbeat could indicate that blood pressure is too low. Other herbals that may decrease blood pressure include:
- Coenzyme Q-10
- Elecampane
- Ginger
- Mistletoe
- Vinca minor
- Yarrow
Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how agrimony interacts with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions.
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What interactions should I watch for?
