Bur Marigold

Scientific Name(s): Bidens pilosa, Bidens tripartita L.
Common Name(s): 3-lobe beggar ticks, Bastard agrimony, Bastard hemp, Beggarticks, Bur (or burr) marigold, Hairy beggar-ticks, Kosendangusa, Lumb, Needle grass, Spanish needles, Sticktights, Water agrimony, Water hemp

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 22, 2022.

Clinical Overview

Use

Several Bidens spp. have been used extensively in traditional medicine. Bur marigold may possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardiovascular, and cytotoxic activity; however, clinical studies are lacking to support recommendations for use. A B. pilosa extract has been investigated for use in the management of diabetes.

Dosing

Clinical studies are lacking to provide dosing recommendations.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy during pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Clinical data regarding adverse effects of bur marigold are lacking; however, a small clinical study reported no adverse effects following administration of a B. pilosa formulation for 90 days. Cross-sensitivity to other members of the Asteraceae family may exist.

Toxicology

Clinical data are limited, especially regarding long-term toxicity.

Scientific Family

• Asteraceae (daisy)

Botany

Bur (or burr) marigold is a common name associated with many species of the Bidens genus. Among the more than 200 known Bidens spp., B. pilosa is a representative perennial herb believed to have originated in South America and widely distributed across temperate and tropical regions. It grows upright to an average height of 60 cm to a maximum of 150 cm. The plant prefers full sun and moderately dry soil, but can grow in arid and barren land at low to high elevations. The green opposite leaves are either glabrous or hairy, and are serrate, lobed, or dissected. The plant produces white or yellow flowers and long, narrow, ribbed black seeds. All parts of B. pilosa (the whole plant, aerial parts [leaves, flowers, seeds, stem], and/or roots] have traditionally been used in folk medicine.1, 2, 3 Synonyms of B. tripartita include Bidens comosa and Bidens connate.

History

Traditional widespread use of B. pilosa has been recorded in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.3 Traditional uses include the treatment of high blood pressure and vascular disease, conjunctivitis, cough, diabetes, diarrhea, diuresis, edema, dysmenorrhea, dysentery, fever, gastritis, helminthiasis, hepatitis, inflammation, menstrual irregularities, renal disorders, rheumatism, sore throat, and toothache.2, 4, 5

Chemistry

B. pilosa is rich in flavonoids and polyynes. Aliphatics, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, aromatics, porphyrins, and other chemical compounds have also been identified.2, 3, 6, 7 The composition of the leaf essential oil has been described and includes borneol, germacrene, caryophyllene, limonene, and muurolol.6

Uses and Pharmacology

Anti-inflammatory activity

In vitro and animal data

Studies using rodent models of induced pain showed antinociceptive properties of extracts of B. pilosa, Bidens bip...