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Hairy agrimony, Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb., is a perennial member of the rose family used in East Asian traditional medicine. In Chinese herbal practice it is commonly known as Xian He Cao.
This species is closely related to—but botanically distinct from—the European agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria. Roosters Peacock treats them as separate entries because their traditional systems, research literature and phytochemical emphasis are not identical.
A. pilosa has a long reputation as an astringent and hemostatic herb, yet modern evidence deserves careful interpretation. Most pharmacological findings come from cells and animals, rigorous human clinical trials are scarce, and one older animal study actually found that an aqueous extract prolonged bleeding and several coagulation measurements. That contradiction is important enough that hairy agrimony should not be presented as a simple home remedy for active bleeding.
Botanical Identity
Accepted name: Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb.
Family: Rosaceae
Common English name: hairy agrimony
Traditional Chinese name: Xian He Cao
Other English descriptions: hairy agrimony herb, Asian agrimony in some commercial contexts
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew recognizes Agrimonia pilosa as an accepted species with a broad native range extending from northern and eastern Central Europe across temperate Asia to Japan and northern Indo-China.
Hairy Agrimony Versus European Agrimony
European agrimony: Agrimonia eupatoria.
Hairy agrimony / Xian He Cao: Agrimonia pilosa.
The plants are relatives in the same genus and share some astringent chemistry, but research papers should be assigned to the exact species tested.
An older botanical synonym, Agrimonia eupatoria var. pilosa, helps explain why the names can become tangled in historical literature.
Identification
Agrimonia pilosa is an upright herb with pinnately divided leaves and slender spikes of small yellow flowers.
The fruits develop hooked bristles capable of attaching to fur and clothing, a familiar feature across the agrimony genus.
Hairiness varies with plant part and variety, so field identification should use the complete floral and fruit characters rather than the common name alone.
Traditional Chinese Use: Xian He Cao
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the dried above-ground portion of A. pilosa is known as Xian He Cao.
Reviews describe traditional uses centered on:
- astringent applications;
- bleeding-related complaints in traditional practice;
- diarrhea and dysentery;
- certain parasitic or infectious complaints;
- general tonic use in some historical sources.
These are descriptions of traditional practice, not proof that the herb has been clinically established for those conditions.
Major Constituents
Modern phytochemical reviews report a large number of compounds from A. pilosa, including:
- tannins;
- flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol and apigenin derivatives;
- isocoumarins, including agrimonolide-related compounds;
- triterpenoids;
- phloroglucinol derivatives;
- phenolic and organic acids;
- volatile compounds.
The high tannin content fits the herb’s traditional astringent reputation, but individual extracts can differ substantially according to plant part and solvent.
Agrimonolide
Agrimonolide is an isocoumarin associated with Agrimonia pilosa research.
Cell studies have shown that agrimonolide can reduce inflammatory signaling involving NF-kappaB, MAPK and JAK-STAT pathways.
A 2025 mouse study using synthesized agrimonolide also reported improvement in experimental colitis through JAK1/STAT3-related mechanisms.
These findings are promising drug-discovery research; they do not establish that agrimony tea treats inflammatory bowel disease in humans.
Anti-Inflammatory Research
Anti-inflammatory activity is one of the strongest modern preclinical themes.
Recent activity-guided research isolated multiple flavonoids from A. pilosa that suppressed nitric-oxide production in stimulated macrophage cells.
Other studies of root and aerial-part extracts report effects on inflammatory mediators such as iNOS, cytokines, NF-kappaB and MAPK pathways.
A 2026 study also reported reduced airway inflammation in cell and mouse models. These findings remain preclinical and do not establish a treatment for asthma or COPD.
Antiviral Research
A Korean laboratory study reported broad inhibitory activity of an A. pilosa extract against several influenza-virus subtypes in cell and egg models.
This is interesting antiviral screening research, but it is not a human influenza treatment trial.
Hairy agrimony should not replace vaccination, antiviral medication or medical evaluation when those are indicated.
Antioxidant Research
Extracts of A. pilosa have demonstrated antioxidant activity in chemical and cellular assays. Phenolics and flavonoids are likely contributors.
Antioxidant assay results are useful for characterizing plant chemistry but do not prove broad disease prevention or “detox” claims.
The Hemostatic Paradox
This is one of the most important accuracy points for this herb.
Hairy agrimony is traditionally described as a hemostatic herb. However, an older experimental study of Hsien-Ho-T’sao / Agrimonia pilosa found the opposite effect in rats: the water extract prolonged bleeding time and prolonged prothrombin, activated partial thromboplastin and stypven clotting times.
That animal study does not settle the entire clinical question, but it is enough to reject simplistic statements that the herb reliably “stops bleeding.”
Active or unexplained bleeding requires medical evaluation rather than self-treatment with agrimony.
Blood-Thinner and Surgery Caution
Because direct human interaction studies are limited and experimental findings on coagulation are not straightforward, extra caution is appropriate for people using anticoagulants, antiplatelet medicines or multiple products affecting clotting.
Medicinal use should also be disclosed before surgery or invasive procedures.
This is a precaution based on uncertain coagulation effects, not proof of a defined interaction with every blood thinner.
Human Clinical Evidence
Despite substantial traditional use and a growing pharmacology literature, recent reviews repeatedly identify the need for well-designed clinical studies.
Most claims for anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antiviral and gastrointestinal effects are still based on isolated compounds, cell systems, animal models or historical practice.
That evidence can justify further research but not disease-treatment claims for ordinary retail herb preparations.
Toxicology
Direct toxicology data for A. pilosa alone are less complete than its pharmacology literature.
A standardized 50% ethanolic mixture containing A. pilosa and Rhus gall underwent acute, subchronic, genotoxicity and safety-pharmacology testing in animals without major toxic signals at the tested levels.
Because that product contained two ingredients, its results cannot be used to prove that every A. pilosa preparation is harmless at any dose.
Recent Tincture Research
A 2026 study evaluated hydroalcoholic tinctures of A. pilosa and two other plants for physicochemical quality, antioxidant properties and toxicological characteristics.
This type of work is useful for standardization, but it remains preclinical and should not be mistaken for a human diabetes-treatment trial.
Tannins and Digestive Tolerance
Tannin-rich herbs have a strong astringent taste and can cause nausea or gastrointestinal discomfort in some people, especially in concentrated preparations.
High-tannin products can also interact physically with nutrients or oral medicines in the digestive tract, although clinically important interactions depend on the preparation and medicine involved.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Modern reproductive-safety evidence for medicinal-strength A. pilosa preparations is limited.
Traditional use alone is not enough to establish safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding, particularly when concentrated extracts or multi-herb formulas are involved.
Rosaceae Allergy
Hairy agrimony belongs to the rose family. True allergy appears to be uncommon, but people with known sensitivity to a specific agrimony product should discontinue use.
Because powdered herbs can contain pollen, dust and contaminants, reactions are not always caused by the principal herb itself.
Growing Hairy Agrimony
A. pilosa is a temperate perennial native across a broad Eurasian range.
It generally performs best in moderately fertile, well-drained soil with sun to partial shade and regular moisture during establishment.
Its hooked fruits can cling to clothing and animals, which should be considered when planting near paths or livestock areas.
Harvest and Plant Part
Traditional Chinese material generally uses the dried above-ground herb.
Research papers may use aerial parts, leaves, roots or isolated compounds, so plant part should always be checked before translating a study into a product claim.
Sourcing
Look for:
- the full botanical name Agrimonia pilosa;
- the traditional name Xian He Cao paired with the English name hairy agrimony;
- clear distinction from Agrimonia eupatoria;
- a stated plant part;
- identity and contaminant testing for powders and extracts;
- avoidance of guaranteed bleeding-control, cancer-treatment or antiviral-cure claims.
Bottom Line
Hairy agrimony / Xian He Cao has a substantial East Asian traditional history and a chemically rich profile dominated by tannins, flavonoids, isocoumarins and related compounds.
Modern studies support real anti-inflammatory, antiviral and other biological activity in laboratory and animal systems, but human clinical evidence remains limited.
The herb’s traditional hemostatic reputation also needs nuance because experimental work has produced anticoagulation-like findings rather than a simple clot-promoting effect.
The most accurate modern description is: a distinct Asian agrimony species with strong traditional astringent use and promising preclinical pharmacology, but insufficient clinical evidence for broad treatment claims and enough uncertainty around coagulation to make casual “stops bleeding” advice inappropriate.
This article is for botanical and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Hairy agrimony (A. pilosa) and European agrimony (A. eupatoria) are distinct species. Unexplained or significant bleeding requires appropriate medical care.
Research & Reference Sources
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — Plants of the World Online: Agrimonia pilosa accepted taxonomy and distribution.
- Wen S, et al. Review of Agrimonia pilosa traditional use, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology.
- Phytochemical and pharmacological review of Agrimonia pilosa.
- Activity-guided isolation of anti-inflammatory flavonoids from A. pilosa.
- Agrimonolide and inflammatory signaling research.
- Laboratory influenza-virus research with A. pilosa extract.
- Wang JP, et al. Experimental antihemostatic effect of Hsien-Ho-T’sao / Agrimonia pilosa.
- Toxicological assessment of a standardized mixture containing A. pilosa and Rhus gall.
- 2026 preclinical airway-inflammation research with A. pilosa.
- 2026 phytochemical and toxicological assessment of A. pilosa tincture.