Erigeron annuus—often called annual fleabane or daisy fleabane—is a hardy Asteraceae plant found across North America and much of Eurasia. Extracts made from its aerial parts contain phenolic acids (such as chlorogenic and caffeic acids) and flavonoids (including luteolin derivatives) that are being studied for metabolic, skin, and anti-inflammatory support. Preclinical research suggests actions on cellular stress pathways, inflammation, and energy metabolism. Yet, unlike some better-known botanicals, Erigeron annuus has limited human clinical data and no standardized dosing framework. This guide offers a balanced, practical overview: what the extract is, how it may work, where evidence looks most promising, how people typically use it, who should avoid it, and the precautions that keep use sensible and safe.
Quick Overview: Erigeron annuus
- Early benefits: signals for anti-inflammatory, skin barrier, and metabolic support (preclinical).
- Likely mechanisms: Nrf2/HO-1 activation, AMPK signaling, and modulation of mitochondrial and ER-stress pathways.
- Typical oral intake (supplements): 300–1,000 mg/day standardized extract; start low and reassess at 8–12 weeks.
- Safety caveat: limited human trials; possible cross-reactivity in Asteraceae allergies; may influence blood glucose.
- Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding, with known ragweed/daisy allergies, or when using glucose-lowering drugs without clinician guidance.
Table of Contents
- What is Erigeron annuus extract?
- What benefits are supported by evidence?
- How does it work in the body?
- How to use and dosage
- Safety, interactions, who should avoid
- Evidence summary and research gaps
What is Erigeron annuus extract?
Erigeron annuus (annual fleabane) is a common wildflower traditionally used as a vegetable and folk remedy in parts of East Asia and North America. Modern extracts are prepared from the aerial parts—leaves, stems, and flowers—and are typically water or hydroalcoholic preparations captured as capsules, tablets, or liquid tinctures. Some laboratories also explore topical formats and isolated constituents for cosmetic or dermatologic uses.
What’s in it? Analyses of Erigeron annuus identify a consistent fingerprint of polyphenols and flavonoids. Phenolic acids such as chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid appear alongside flavonoids including luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucuronide, and hispidulin-7-O-glucuronide. These compounds are well known in nutrition science for their antioxidant capacity and signaling effects in human cells. Essential oil fractions exist but are not the focus of most dietary supplements; they contain volatile sesquiterpenes and related constituents and are more relevant to fragrance and experimental bioactivity work than to everyday supplementation.
What it is not. Erigeron annuus is distinct from Erigeron breviscapus (used in hospital settings in China) and from Conyza canadensis (often called Canadian fleabane). The biological profiles overlap in broad themes (anti-inflammatory or antioxidant effects) but differ in dominant marker compounds and clinical usage. When purchasing, check the full Latin binomial and plant part to avoid mix-ups.
How it’s standardized. Because no pharmacopeial monograph is widely adopted, quality varies. Better labels specify the plant part, extraction solvent, and standardized phenolics (for example, “≥15% chlorogenic acid” or “total phenolic acids ≥20% by HPLC”). Certificates of Analysis should confirm identity, phenolic content, and contaminant screens (heavy metals, microbes, pesticide residues). If a product names proprietary markers (e.g., pyromeconic acid in recent research), you should still see the broader phenolic profile disclosed.
Why people consider it. Interest centers on three areas: metabolic health (insulin resistance, adiposity in animal models), skin barrier and itch (keratinocyte and mast-cell models; atopic dermatitis in mice), and general anti-inflammatory support. For consumers, this often translates into trying Erigeron annuus as a gentle, plant-based adjunct when diet, movement, and first-line skincare or metabolic strategies are already in place.
Bottom line. Think of Erigeron annuus extract as a polyphenol-rich botanical with plausible mechanisms and encouraging preclinical data, but few human trials and no universal dose standard. It fits best as a cautious, time-limited adjunct chosen for specific goals, with realistic expectations and an eye on product quality.
What benefits are supported by evidence?
Metabolic support (animal and cell studies). A 2021 in-vivo study in high-fat-diet mice found that water extracts of Erigeron annuus reduced body weight gain and adipose tissue size while improving lipid profiles. These effects aligned with AMPK activation, increased phosphorylation of ACC, and upregulation of CPT1, a gene involved in fatty-acid transport into mitochondria. The extract also contained identifiable phenolics, including chlorogenic acid and dicaffeoylquinic acids, that are known to influence energy metabolism. A separate 2023 paper explored insulin resistance in a zebrafish model: Erigeron annuus extract improved pancreatic islet measures and modulated gene networks tied to mitochondrial function and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Together, these results suggest metabolic relevance, although dose translation to humans remains uncertain.
Skin health and itch (cells and mice). Two complementary research lines have emerged. First, a 2024 mouse model of atopic dermatitis reported improved clinical and histologic features with oral extract, alongside upregulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway—an axis often targeted to reduce oxidative and inflammatory skin stress. Second, in vitro work with human keratinocytes and mast cells shows that Erigeron annuus water extract (and pyromeconic acid, a constituent enriched in some preparations) can reduce cytokines, histamine release, and barrier-gene disturbances; these changes line up with decreased inflammatory signaling in experimental systems. Collectively, the skin data are mechanistically strong but early, with human trials still needed to confirm real-world benefits.
Inflammation more broadly. Beyond skin and metabolism, experiments using macrophages, keratinocytes, and other cell lines show reductions in NF-κB-linked mediators and oxidative stress markers after exposure to Erigeron annuus extracts or fractions. Earlier rodent work with root extracts demonstrated attenuation of acute inflammation. While these models do not guarantee clinical outcomes, they support the hypothesis that the extract can dial down inflammatory tone in certain contexts.
What isn’t yet shown. There are no large, blinded human randomized trials demonstrating that Erigeron annuus extract improves hard outcomes like HbA1c, eczema scores in patients, or long-term cardiometabolic endpoints. You should view existing benefits as signals rather than settled facts. The best use cases today are exploratory: pairing a standardized extract with lifestyle measures and evidence-based care, then monitoring concrete, patient-centered outcomes (e.g., specific skin symptoms, energy for activity, fasting glucose trends if you monitor with your clinician).
Real-world expectations. If Erigeron annuus helps, expect incremental changes over weeks rather than dramatic shifts. For metabolic goals, measurable improvements—if they occur—tend to show up after 8–12 weeks of consistent use, alongside diet and activity. For skin goals, people sometimes notice changes in itch frequency or flare intensity during the same window, although topical regimens and triggers will dominate results.
How does it work in the body?
Polyphenol and flavonoid actions. Phenolic acids (notably chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid) and flavonoids (such as luteolin derivatives) can act as cellular stress modulators. In models relevant to skin and metabolism, Erigeron annuus extracts activate Nrf2, increasing HO-1 expression and antioxidant defenses. That shift helps cells manage reactive oxygen species and may protect lipids and proteins from oxidative damage—effects that reduce downstream inflammatory cascades.
Energy metabolism and adipocyte signaling. In adipose and hepatic tissues, extracts have increased AMPK phosphorylation and downstream ACC phosphorylation. AMPK functions as a metabolic “fuel gauge,” nudging cells toward fatty-acid oxidation and away from lipogenesis. Upstream, phenolics can influence mitochondrial enzymes and redox-sensitive kinases; downstream, gene expression changes include CPT1 and adipokines like adiponectin that improve metabolic flexibility in animal models.
Mitochondrial and ER-stress modulation. In insulin-resistance models, Erigeron annuus extracts shift gene expression in pathways tied to oxidative phosphorylation and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum. The net effect in models is reduced ER stress and improved mitochondrial function—two levers that often move together in metabolic dysfunction.
Mast-cell and keratinocyte effects. In vitro, Erigeron annuus water extract and pyromeconic acid have decreased histamine output and dampened cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6 in stimulated human cells, while partially normalizing skin-barrier gene signals (e.g., filaggrin). These results offer a mechanistic explanation for observed improvements in experimental atopic dermatitis and support the idea that the extract may help with itch and barrier resilience—though clinical confirmation is still needed.
Pharmacokinetic considerations. Detailed human pharmacokinetics have not been established. As with many hydrophilic polyphenols, oral bioavailability can be modest and influenced by gut microbiota, conjugation (glucuronidation, sulfation), and food matrix. This uncertainty argues for steady, divided dosing and pairing with a phenolic-rich diet rather than chasing peak levels.
Which constituents matter most? Chlorogenic acid and luteolin derivatives often serve as quality markers on lab reports and are plausible drivers of AMPK and Nrf2 effects. Pyromeconic acid is a newer focal molecule in skin-health research; it may help explain itch relief and keratinocyte findings when enriched during cool water extraction. Given the multi-component nature of plant extracts, synergy among phenolics is likely.
How to use and dosage
Forms you’ll encounter
- Capsules or tablets containing a water or hydroalcoholic extract of the aerial parts (leaves/flowers).
- Liquid extracts/tinctures measured by milliliters (mL) or droppers, sometimes with phenolic-content claims.
- Topical preparations (lotions, serums) or isolated constituents for cosmetic exploration; these are separate from dietary supplements.
Standardization and what to look for
- Plant identity as Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers., aerial parts, and the solvent used.
- A statement like “standardized to ≥15–20% phenolic acids” or “chlorogenic acid ≥5–15%”—numbers vary by brand.
- A recent Certificate of Analysis (CoA) verifying phenolic content, identity (HPLC), and contaminant testing.
Typical oral amounts (supplement context)
- Because there is no established clinical dose, a conservative trial range for standardized extracts is 300–1,000 mg/day, split into 2–3 doses with water.
- This range aligns with allometric translations from animal studies (e.g., 50–200 mg/kg in mice for metabolic outcomes corresponds roughly to 4–16 mg/kg human equivalents), while staying within practical capsule counts for adults.
- For liquid extracts, follow the label’s mg per mL conversion to stay inside the same daily mg range.
How to start and assess
- Begin low (e.g., 300 mg/day) for 1–2 weeks to assess tolerance.
- If well tolerated and your goal warrants it, titrate toward 600–1,000 mg/day, divided.
- Define a trial window of 8–12 weeks with a specific outcome: for example, a structured skin-symptom diary, waist circumference and morning energy logs, or fasting glucose checks shared with your clinician.
- Stop if you see no meaningful change or if side effects appear.
Stacking and timing
- You can take Erigeron annuus with meals; no high-quality data favor fed vs. fasted dosing.
- For metabolic goals, pairing with fiber-rich meals and daily movement makes biologic sense.
- For skin goals, treat the extract as an adjunct to topical moisturizers, trigger management, and clinician-directed therapies.
Who is a reasonable candidate?
- Adults with mild, non-urgent metabolic or skin goals who already focus on diet, sleep, and activity—and who are comfortable trying a time-limited, standardized botanical under clinician oversight.
- Individuals sensitive to stimulants or intense botanicals may appreciate Erigeron annuus’ relatively gentle profile when dosed conservatively.
Safety, interactions, who should avoid
Overall tolerability. In supplement-style doses (hundreds of milligrams per day), Erigeron annuus is generally well tolerated in healthy adults. Reported adverse effects are uncommon and typically mild—for example, transient stomach upset, headache, or skin itch in sensitive users. Because formal human trials are limited, long-term safety data are sparse.
Allergy considerations. Erigeron annuus belongs to the Asteraceae family (daisy/ragweed relatives). People with known ragweed, chrysanthemum, or other Asteraceae allergies may be more likely to react and should avoid or discuss supervised trials with a clinician.
Blood sugar and metabolic medications. Preclinical studies suggest potential to influence insulin resistance and lipid metabolism. If you take glucose-lowering drugs (metformin, sulfonylureas, insulin, GLP-1 receptor agonists), involve your prescriber and watch for hypoglycemia, especially when diet or activity changes at the same time.
Dermatologic sensitivity. For topical forms or concentrated fractions (including essential-oil components), patch test first. Some volatile or phenolic constituents can irritate sensitive skin. If irritation or hives occur, discontinue and seek advice.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and children. There is insufficient safety data; avoid use unless a qualified clinician recommends it for a specific reason. Pediatric dosing is not established.
Surgery and procedures. Because polyphenol-rich extracts may subtly affect inflammation and oxidative stress responses, many clinicians advise pausing supplements 1–2 weeks before elective procedures—an approach that errs on the side of caution.
Quality risks. As with many botanicals, product quality varies. Choose brands that disclose standardization, plant part, and batch-level testing. Avoid unlabeled blends or products that do not publish contaminant screens.
When to stop and seek help. New rash or hives, breathing trouble, dizziness, severe GI symptoms, or signs of low blood sugar (shakiness, sweating, confusion) warrant stopping immediately and contacting your clinician.
Takeaway. Erigeron annuus’ safety profile appears favorable in the short term, but human data are limited. Use conservative doses, prioritize quality products, and coordinate with your healthcare team if you take prescription medications or manage chronic conditions.
Evidence summary and research gaps
What the evidence supports today.
Across animal and cell studies, Erigeron annuus extract consistently modulates oxidative stress and inflammation and shows metabolic and skin-barrier signals. In high-fat-diet mice, extracts activated AMPK and improved lipid handling; in zebrafish, they shifted mitochondrial and ER-stress gene networks during insulin resistance; in mouse dermatitis models and human skin/mast cells, they reduced inflammatory cytokines, histamine, and barrier disruption while upregulating Nrf2/HO-1. These converging mechanisms provide a strong biologic rationale for exploratory use.
Where evidence is thin.
There are still few human clinical trials with standardized products, clear outcomes, and long-term follow-up. Dose-response relationships, pharmacokinetics in humans, and interaction profiles with common drugs remain under-characterized. Variation in plant parts, solvents, and standardization makes across-study comparisons difficult.
What better studies should do.
- Standardize products and reporting. Trials should specify plant part, solvent, and marker compounds (e.g., chlorogenic acid %, luteolin-7-O-glucuronide content), with batch analytics appended.
- Use pragmatic, patient-centered endpoints. For metabolism, include HbA1c, HOMA-IR, and body composition; for skin, validated itch and severity scales, barrier measures, and flare frequency.
- Run multi-arm, blinded RCTs. Compare two standardized doses vs. placebo over 12–24 weeks, layered on lifestyle and standard care.
- Map safety and interactions. Include routine labs, adverse-event surveillance, and substudies on drug transporters or metabolism if signals emerge.
Practical implication for readers.
Until those data arrive, the safest posture is a time-bounded, low-to-moderate-dose trial alongside proven measures (diet quality, movement, sleep, skincare basics) and clinician oversight—especially if you take medicines that affect blood glucose or have significant allergies.
References
- Anti-Obesity Effect of Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. Extract Containing Phenolic Acids 2021 (In vivo; mechanisms via AMPK)
- Erigeron annuus Extract Alleviates Insulin Resistance via Regulating the Expression of Mitochondrial Damage and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Related Genes 2023 (Mechanistic zebrafish; transcriptomics)
- Erigeron annuus Extract Improves DNCB-Induced Atopic Dermatitis in a Mouse Model via the Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway 2024 (Dermatitis model; antioxidant pathway)
- Pyromeconic acid-enriched Erigeron annuus water extract as a cosmetic ingredient for itch relief and anti-inflammatory activity 2024 (In vitro; mast cells and keratinocytes)
Disclaimer
This guide is educational and does not replace personalized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Erigeron annuus extract is not a cure for any disease. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have significant allergies (especially to Asteraceae plants), or take prescription medicines—particularly glucose-lowering drugs—consult a qualified clinician before use. Stop the supplement and seek medical help if you experience allergic symptoms or signs of low blood sugar.
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