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Review
. 2025 Apr 3;30(7):1603.
doi: 10.3390/molecules30071603.

Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.)-An Edible Weed with Health-Promoting Properties

Kamila Dębia  1 , Małgorzata Dzięcioł  2 , Agnieszka Wróblewska  3 , Katarzyna Janda-Milczarek  1
Affiliations
Review

Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.)-An Edible Weed with Health-Promoting Properties

Kamila Dębia et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.) is a species of medicinal perennial in the celery family (Apiaceae), also considered an edible plant with medicinal effects and high nutritional value. In traditional folk medicine, it was known as a remedy for gout (arthritis) and also used to relieve rheumatism or sciatica. The botanical characteristics, occurrence, nutritional composition, and traditional and present-day applications of this plant are discussed. Furthermore, the important specific plant metabolites including organic acids and their derivatives, flavonoids, coumarins, polyacetylenes and terpene components of essential oil are presented and their biological activity is described. The valuable medicinal properties of Aegopodium podagria L. include anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, diuretic, sedative and protective effects on the kidneys and liver. The aim of this paper was to describe, on the basis of the available literature, the chemical composition, bioactivity and health-promoting properties of this wild edible plant. The information obtained is described and summarized in tables.

Keywords: Aegopodium podagraria L.; bioactivity; biologically active compounds; goutweed; ground elder.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The chemical structures of caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The chemical structure of rutin.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The chemical structures of kaempferol, apigenin and luteolin.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The chemical structure of hyperoside.
Figure 5
Figure 5
The chemical structures of falcarinol and falcarindiol.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The chemical structures of sabinene, α-pinene, β-pinene, myrcene, ethyl acetate, α-thujone, dehydro-p-cymene and β-phellandrene.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The chemical structures of sabinene, α-pinene, β-pinene, myrcene, ethyl acetate, α-thujone, dehydro-p-cymene and β-phellandrene.
Figure 7
Figure 7
The chemical structures of limonene, p-cymene, (Z)-β-ocimene, spathulenol, perillaldehyde, β-caryophyllene and β-caryophyllene oxide.
Figure 7
Figure 7
The chemical structures of limonene, p-cymene, (Z)-β-ocimene, spathulenol, perillaldehyde, β-caryophyllene and β-caryophyllene oxide.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Traditional and contemporary medicinal and culinary uses of goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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