Bidens tripartita is an annual herbaceous plant growing 30–100 cm tall. It has a deeply branched taproot system. The stems are single and oppositely branched. Leaves are short-petioled, opposite, mostly three-lobed, and dark green. The flowers are yellow tubular florets gathered into solitary capitulum-type inflorescences (flower heads). Each flower head is surrounded by a double involucre. As the flowers fade and fruits develop, the heads darken and turn brown.

The fruits are wedge-shaped, compressed achenes with a single longitudinal ridge, obovate in shape, and have pointed tips. The achenes are covered with downward-facing barbs, which are also present on the ridges. The achenes measure 5–8 mm in length and 2–3 mm in width. The plant blooms from late June to September and fruits from late September onwards.

Harvesting of Raw Materials

The herb of Bidens tripartita is used as medicinal raw material. Harvesting is done during the budding and early flowering stages by cutting leafy upper shoots 10–15 cm long. The herb is dried in attics, in the shade under a canopy with good ventilation, or in drying chambers at 40–45 °C.

Chemical Composition

The herb of Bidens tripartita contains carotene, essential oils, bitter substances, vitamin C, tannins, mucilage, lactones, amines, as well as macro- and microelements. Flavonoids isolated from the plant include luteolin, isocorypalmine, cinaroside, butein, sulfuretin, sulfurein, umbelliferone, scopoletin, and esculetin.

Pharmacological Properties

Bidens tripartita herb possesses numerous therapeutic properties. Its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects are mainly attributed to the polyphenolic compounds found in tannins.

Oil extracts of the herb, rich in fat-soluble carotene, also exhibit anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties.

The medicinal effects of Bidens tripartita preparations partly depend on ascorbic acid and manganese, which play important roles in physiological processes. Manganese ions in enzyme systems influence blood formation, coagulation, and endocrine gland function.

The effectiveness of Bidens tripartita in treating allergic skin diseases is also linked to its choleretic action. Substances in the plant act as true choleretics. Flavonoids and polysaccharides together enhance the liver’s bile-producing function.

Intravenous administration of Bidens tripartita tincture shows sedative effects, lowers blood pressure, increases the amplitude of heart contractions, and slightly strengthens smooth muscle contractions.

As a diaphoretic, diuretic, vitamin supplement, and anti-allergic agent, the herb is taken orally to treat colds.

Due to its ability to improve metabolism, it is currently used for various diatheses accompanied by urticarial rash, scrofula, neurodermatitis, and seborrheic scalp conditions. Topically, the infusion is used in phytobaths and applications for skin diseases. It helps dry wound surfaces and promotes faster healing.

Clinical studies of alcohol extracts and ointments from Bidens tripartita revealed anti-inflammatory properties and stimulation of adrenal cortex function. Treatment of psoriasis patients over 12–15 days showed reduced skin scaling, flattening, and fading of psoriatic plaques after the first week. Oral extract intake was stopped after the second week while ointment therapy continued. Overall, 96% of patients experienced complete recovery or improvement, with only 4% showing no response. Patients reported no adverse effects during treatment.

Various preparations are made from the herb, including infusions, tinctures, bath compositions, and ointments containing plant extracts.

Traditional Medicine Uses

The medicinal properties of Bidens tripartita have been traditionally used in folk medicine across various countries.

In Russian folk medicine, Bidens tripartita is used as a diuretic and diaphoretic, for respiratory diseases, scrofula, metabolic disorders, scurvy, blood diseases, scabies, ringworm, sluggish digestion, toothache, and as an anti-allergic and anti-diathesis remedy. The herb infusion is sometimes taken as a vitamin supplement for lung diseases, skin ulcers, and ulcerative colitis.

The infusion is taken internally to treat salt deposits, rheumatism, bleeding, hypertension, nervous disorders, appetite loss, urticaria, and itching.

Decoctions of Bidens tripartita are used for washing the face to soften the skin, treat acne and pimples, for bathing children, and as compresses for skin diseases.

Tea made from Bidens tripartita is a common home remedy for scrofula, scurvy, and diathesis in children. A mixture of Bidens tripartita herb and lingonberry leaves is prescribed as a remedy to improve metabolism in furunculosis and eczema.

Oil extracts from the herb are applied to treat hard-to-heal wounds and ulcers. Crushed leaves are used topically on bites from venomous insects.

In Tibetan medicine, the plant is used for anemia, atherosclerosis, and anthrax; in Chinese medicine, it is taken internally as a fever reducer and to treat tuberculosis, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic, and microbial eczema; in Japan, it is used as an antipyretic agent.