Natural Herb Library

Agrimonia Bud

Chinese
鹤草芽
Pinyin
He Cao Ya
Latin
Gemma Agrimoniae
Botanical illustration of Agrimonia Bud, Agrimonia pilosa, showing habit, leaves, flowers, fruit, seed, root, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi . View print →

Known in TCM as He Cao Ya (鹤草芽), this bitter and astringent, neutral herb enters the Heart and Liver. Traditionally, it kills parasites and expels tapeworm, most often applied for parasitic infection and dysentery. Modern research has identified Agrimophol among its active constituents.

Part used: Bud

Also Known As

Agrimonia

Latin: Gemma Agrimoniae | Pinyin: He Cao Ya | Chinese: 鹤草芽

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter, astringent
Temperature
neutral
Channels
Heart, Liver

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Kills parasites and expels tapeworm … used specifically for cestodiasis (taeniasis); agrimophol directly contacts and inhibits tapeworm metabolism
  • Relieves toxicity and reduces swelling … used for sores, ulcers, furuncles, and toxic boils

Secondary Actions

  • Astringes and stops bleeding … used for hemorrhagic conditions from deficiency patterns
  • Checks dysentery and stops leukorrhea … addresses red and white dysentery and abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Tonifies deficiency … supports recovery from chronic consumptive conditions

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Agrimophol … phloroglucinol derivative; primary anthelmintic compound; inhibits tapeworm aerobic and anaerobic metabolism by direct contact
  • Agrimoniin … ellagitannin with anti-tumor and immunostimulant activity
  • Tannins (potentillin, pedunculagin, casuarinin, agritannin) … astringent, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties
  • Flavonoids (luteolin, quercetin, apigenin) … anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
  • Isocoumarins … bioactive secondary metabolites with reported antibacterial activity
  • Triterpenoids … pentacyclic compounds contributing to anti-inflammatory activity

Studied Effects

  • Anthelmintic … agrimophol inhibits glycogen decomposition in tapeworm by direct contact, disrupting both aerobic and anaerobic metabolism (PMID 35529922)
  • Anti-tumor … agrimoniin activates macrophages and NK cells; inhibits tumor cell proliferation in preclinical models (PMID 35529922)
  • Antioxidant … tannin fraction demonstrates significant free-radical scavenging capacity in multiple assay systems
  • Antibacterial … active against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli in vitro (PMID 35529922)
  • Anti-inflammatory … flavonoid fraction suppresses NF-κB pathway and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Cautions

  • Large doses (30–45 g powder) used for tapeworm treatment … use only under practitioner supervision at anthelmintic doses
  • MSK page not found … drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Agrimonia Bud used for?

Agrimonia Bud is traditionally used to Kills parasites and expels tapeworm … used specifically for cestodiasis (taeniasis); agrimophol directly contacts and inhibits tapeworm metabolism, Relieves toxicity and reduces swelling … used for sores, ulcers, furuncles, and toxic boils. Research has investigated its effects on: Anthelmintic … agrimophol inhibits glycogen decomposition in tapeworm by direct contact, disrupting both aerobic and anaerobic metabolism (PMID 35529922); Anti-tumor … agrimoniin activates macrophages and NK cells; inhibits tumor cell proliferation in preclinical models (PMID 35529922).

What are other names for Agrimonia Bud?

Agrimonia Bud is also known as Agrimonia. In TCM: 鹤草芽 (He Cao Ya); Gemma Agrimoniae.

Is Agrimonia Bud safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Agrimonia Bud during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.