Common agrimony Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 2,044 found this helpful

Agrimonia eupatoria L.

Agrimonia eupatoria is confirmed non-toxic to humans, cats, dogs, and horses, with no recorded severe poisoning events.

The plant only has low nutritional value for livestock, and is not suitable as a primary feed source.

It is easily confused with toxic Ranunculus (buttercup) species, requiring careful identification to avoid ingestion of harmful lookalikes.

FAQ

Is Common agrimony toxic to Humans?

No known toxic symptoms reported; very large ingestion may cause mild, transient gastrointestinal upset. (Non-toxic)

Is Common agrimony toxic to Cats?

No known toxic symptoms reported from typical ingestion. (Non-toxic)

Is Common agrimony toxic to Dogs?

No known toxic symptoms reported from typical ingestion. (Non-toxic)

Is Common agrimony toxic to Horses?

No known toxic symptoms reported from typical ingestion. (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No known toxic symptoms reported; very large ingestion may cause mild, transient gastrointestinal upset.

Cats

Non-toxic

No known toxic symptoms reported from typical ingestion.

Dogs

Non-toxic

No known toxic symptoms reported from typical ingestion.

Horses

Non-toxic

No known toxic symptoms reported from typical ingestion.

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo parts of this plant are classified as toxic; all components are considered non-poisonous.

Exposure RoutePrimary exposure route is accidental ingestion of plant material; no contact toxicity has been recorded.

Toxic CompoundsEssential oils; Bitter compounds; Tannins

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse mouth with clean water if large amounts of plant material were ingested.
• Monitor for mild, uncommon gastrointestinal upset for 2-4 hours post-ingestion.
• Remove remaining plant material from reach of children and pets as a precaution.

Contact Vet Immediately

• Persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy occurs after ingestion of large quantities.
• You cannot confirm if the ingested plant is common agrimony or a toxic lookalike.
• The ingested plant material was treated with pesticides or herbicides.

Prevention

• Learn to distinguish common agrimony from toxic Ranunculus species before foraging.
• Clear grazing pastures of toxic Ranunculus species to avoid misidentification by horses.
• Store foraged agrimony separately from potentially toxic plant materials to avoid mix-ups.

Treatment & Prognosis

• Provide supportive care only if mild gastrointestinal upset occurs.
• No specific antidote is required, as no toxic effects are linked to this plant.
• Administer targeted treatment if ingestion of a misidentified toxic lookalike is confirmed.

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameAgrimonia eupatoria L.

AliasesChurch steeples、Sticklewort

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

No specific organs are targeted by toxic compounds in this plant

Mechanism of Action

• No identified toxic mechanism; tannins may cause mild transient gastrointestinal irritation only if extremely large volumes are consumed

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle, sheep, goats: Non-toxic, but has very low nutritional value, not suitable as a primary feed source

Small pet mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs): No known toxic effects, can be fed in small quantities as part of a varied diet

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other agrimony species Agrimonia spp.

Visually nearly identical to common agrimony; all species are non-toxic, no risk of harm from misidentification

Cinquefoil species Potentilla spp.

Similar leaf morphology and growing habitat; all species are non-toxic, no adverse effects from accidental ingestion

Buttercup species Ranunculus spp.

Similar growing habitat and leaf shape; Ranunculus species are weakly to highly toxic, and can cause poisoning if ingested in place of agrimony

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Related Toxic Plants

Cherry laurel

Prunus laurocerasus

Severe toxicity, contains fatal cyanogenic glycosides

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Moderate to high toxicity, particularly dangerous for horses and other livestock

Firethorn

Pyracantha coccinea

Low toxicity, seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides that cause mild gastrointestinal upset

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

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