Agrimony

• Botanical Name(s): Agrimonia Eupatoria

• Popular Name(s): Common Agrimony, Sticklewort, Cocklebur, Church Steeples, Odermenning

• Parts Used: The whole herb

• Habitat: Agrimony is found abundantly throughout in Europe, Canada and the United States.

Description: The deep green hairy Agrimony plant has an erect cylindrical and slightly rough stem which grows to a height of 1 or 2 feet, sometimes more. The leaves are numerous and at the bases are often 7 or 8 inches long, but the upper leaves are generally only about 3 inches in length. The flowers are small, arranged closely on slender, terminal spikes.

Uses: Agrimony is believed to cure jaundice and other liver complaints. Agrimony is also considered as a very useful agent in skin eruptions and diseases of the blood, pimples, blotches, etc. The herb is effective to cure scrofulous sores when a strong decoction of its root and leaves, mixed with honey or sugar is taken two or three times a day continuously for several months.

In herbal medicine: In traditional herbal medicine it was recommended as a cure for insomnia, often being incorporated in herbal pillows. It was also believed to be able to draw out splinters.

Modern herbalists prescribe it for disorders of the kidneys, liver and bladder. It has diuretic and exporant properties, and can be used for mild skin complaints such as acne. Not all of these uses have been supported by scientific evidence. The other traditional use of the agrimony in herbal remedy has been as a healing aid for wounds-applications of this herb will staunch bleeding and will promote the formation of clots in the area of the wound, the herb has been used in this role for a very long time. The agrimony is slightly bitter tasting and acts as an astringent on wounds. The herbal remedy prepared from the agrimony is also used as an effective remedy for the treatment of diarrhea. A gentle tonic prepared from the herb also aids the digestion and is beneficial to the digestive system. Agrimony is also used in combination herbal formulas along with other herbs such as the corn silk-such a combination herbal remedy helps in treating cystitis and problems related to urinary incontinence in an affected person. The combination remedy has also been successfully employed in the treatment of kidney stones, common disorders like sore throats and rheumatism, and even disorders like arthritis in many people.

The agrimony has a very long history as far as its use in herbal medicine is concerned, this is besides the folklores connected to its reputed remedial properties. It has indeed been seen as a panacea through the ages, and the English poet Michael Drayton once proclaimed it as an "all-heal" remedy-thus all these remarkable powers were attributed to this herb. In other cultures, notably the ancient Greeks, all eye ailments were commonly treated using herbal remedies prepared from the agrimony. They also used the plant to make herbal brews as a cure for diarrhea and other internal disorders of vital organs such as the gallbladder, the liver, and the kidneys. Other societies such as the Anglo-Saxons were also known to prepare an herbal solution from the leaves and seeds of the agrimony to be used in the healing of all kinds of physical wounds on the body.

The herbal use of the agrimony continued all through the Middle Ages and is used even now, in the form of a herbal preparation known as the eau d' arquebusade, or the "musket-shot water." These days, herbal remedies made from the agrimony herb are suggested in the treatment of athlete's foot in all individuals affected by this disorder.

The herb was extensively used in the treatment of many types of illnesses, and in the United States and Canada, till late into the 19th century, herbal remedies prepared from the agrimony were being used to treat all types of skin diseases, the remedy was also usually prescribed for asthma, to treat persistent coughs, and the remedy was also used in the treatment of gynecological complaints of all kinds. The herbal remedy was also used as a gargle for treating sore throat in affected patients.