Goutweed - Aegopodium podagraria

Goutweed, Aegopodium podagraria, sometimes called ground elder, or bishop’s weed, is a highly invasive perennial plant of shady woodlands. It has traditionally been used for rheumatoid arthritis, gout, hemorrhoids, and kidney stones. It is also a mild diuretic. The primary active compounds in goutweed are monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes. and polyphenolics. Goutweed contains vitamins A and C, calcium, potassium, iron, copper, and manganese.

The essential oils are mainly monoterpenes, which are antioxidant and antimicrobial. Goutweed contains falcarinol, a polyacetylene that is antimicrobial and a COX-1 inhibitor and helps with pain and inflammation. The flavonoids in goutweed are quercetin and rutin, the phenolics are hydroxycinnamic acids. It also contains angelicin. These substances are anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiviral.¹ Goutweed is antibacterial against Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Staphylococcus aureus.² It can be used as a poultice on wounds. Studies have shown that an ethanol/water extract of the aerial parts of the plant can result in increased excretion of uric acid, urea, and creatinine and decreased plasma urea levels.³ This speaks to its traditional use as a gout remedy.

Suggested dosing: Tincture 0.5-2 ml per day

Possible side effects: Allergy (carrot or celery family), photosensitivity, lowered blood sugar.

Contraindications: Pregnancy, breastfeeding, bleeding disorders. CNS depressants.

¹ Dębia K, Dzięcioł M, Wróblewska A, Janda-Milczarek K. Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.)-An Edible Weed with Health-Promoting Properties. Molecules. 2025 Apr 3;30(7):1603. doi: 10.3390/molecules30071603. PMID: 40286209; PMCID: PMC11990176.

² Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.) – botanical characteristics and prohealthy properties* Podagrycznik pospolity (Aegopodium podagraria L.) – charakterystyka botaniczna i właściwości prozdrowotne Karolina Jakubczyk, Katarzyna Janda, Daniel Styburski, Agnieszka Łukomska, Department of Human Nutrition and Metabolomics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland, Department of Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity, Warsaw, Poland.

³ Dębia K, Dzięcioł M, Wróblewska A, Janda-Milczarek K. Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.)-An Edible Weed with Health-Promoting Properties. Molecules. 2025 Apr 3;30(7):1603. doi: 10.3390/molecules30071603. PMID: 40286209; PMCID: PMC11990176.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose or treat any illness. I am not a medical professional and cannot diagnose or treat any illness.