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Alder Buckthorn Glossary |
Agrimony |
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Agrimonia
eupatoria The name Agrimony is from "Argemone", a word given by the Greeks to plants which were healing to the eyes, and the name eupatoria refers to Mithridates Eupator, a king who was a renowned concoctor of herbal remedies. Agrimony is also known as Common Agrimony, Church Steeples, Sticklewort and Cockeburr. The Agrimony plant is found abundantly throughout England and Scotland, on hedge-banks and the sides of fields, in dry thickets and on all waste places. The plant is subject to a considerable amount of variation, some specimens being far larger than others, much more clothed with hairs and with other minor differences. It has, therefore, by some botanists, been divided into two species, but the division is now scarcely maintained. The larger variety, having also a greater fragrance, was named Agrimonia odorata. There are several other plants, not actually related botanically to the Common Agrimony, that were given the same name by the older herbalists because of their similar properties. These are the Common Hemp Agrimony, Eupatorium Cannabinum (Linn.) called by Gerard the Common Dutch Agrimony, and by Salmon, in his English Herbal (1710), Eupatorium Aquaticum mas, the Water Agrimony - also the plant now called the Trifid Bur-Marigold, Bidens tripartita (Linn.), but by older herbalists named the Water Hemp, Bastard Hemp and Bastard Agrimony. The name Bastard Agrimony has also been given to a species of true Agrimony, Agrimonium agrimonoides, a native of Italy, growing in moist woods and among bushes. The whole plant is deep green and covered with soft hairs, and has a slightly aromatic scent; even the small root is sweet scented, especially in spring. The spikes of flowers emit a most refreshing and spicy odour like that of apricots. The leaves when dry retain most of their fragrant odour, as well as the flowers, and Agrimony was once much sought after as a substitute or addition to tea, adding a peculiar delicacy and aroma to its flavour. Agrimony is one of the plants from the dried leaves of which in some country districts is brewed what is called 'a spring drink,' or 'diet drink,' a compound made by the infusion of several herbs and drunk in spring time as a purifier of the blood. In France, where herbal teas or tisanes are more common, it is stated that Agrimony tea, for its fragrancy, as well as for its virtues, is often drunk as a beverage at table. Agrimony was one of the most famous vulnerary herbs. The Anglo-Saxons, who called it Garclive, taught that it would heal wounds, snake bites, warts, etc. In the time of Chaucer, we find its name appearing in the form of Egrimoyne, it was used with Mugwort and vinegar for 'a bad back' and 'alle woundes': and one of these old writers recommends it to be taken with a mixture of pounded frogs and human blood, as a remedy for all internal hemorrhages. It formed an ingredient of the famous arquebusade water as prepared against wounds inflicted by an arquebus, or hand-gun, and was mentioned by Philip de Comines, in his account of the battle of Morat in 1476. In France, the eau de arquebusade is still applied for sprains and bruises, being carefully made from many aromatic herbs. It was at one time included in the London Materia Medica as a vulnerary herb, but modern official medicine does not recognize its virtues, though it is still fully appreciated in herbal practice. Culpepper (1652) recommends Agrimony, in addition to the uses already enumerated, for gout, "either used outwardly in an oil or ointment, or inwardly, in an electuary or syrup, or concreted juice." He praises its use externally, stating how sores may be cured "by bathing and fomenting them with a decoction of this plant," and that it heals "all inward wounds, bruises, hurts and other distempers." He continues: "The decoction of the herb, made with wine and drunk, is good against the biting and stinging of serpents . . . it also helpeth the colic, cleanseth the breath and relieves the cough. A draught of the decoction taken warm before the fit first relieves and in time removes the tertian and quartian ague." It "draweth forth thorns, splinters of wood, or any such thing in the flesh. It helpeth to strengthen members that are out of joint." Dioscorides stated that it was not only "a remedy for them that have bad livers," but also "for such as are bitten with serpents." Dr. Hill, who from 1751 to 1771 published several works on herbal medicine, recommends "an infusion of 6 oz. of the crown of the root in a quart of boiling water, sweetened with honey and half a pint drank three times a day," as an effectual remedy for jaundice. It gives tone to the system and promotes assimilation of food. Agrimony has traditionally been used internally for colitis, dyspepsia, food allergies, diarrhea, gallstones, cirrhosis, grumbling appendix, urinary incontinence, cystitis, and rheumatism. Externally in a preparation for sore throat, conjunctivitis, hemorrhoids, minor injuries, and chronic skin conditions. Agrimony is a bitter, mildly astringent, tonic, diuretic herb that may help control bleeding, improve liver and gall bladder functions, and have anti-inflammatory effects. It is used to treat blemishes, cancer, common cold, constipation, cough, depurative, diarrhea, enuresis, fever, gallstones, indigestion, kidney ailments, liver ailments, mouth inflammation, pharyngitis, sore throat, sores, spleen ailments, ulcers, warts. Agrimony contains a particular volatile oil, which may be obtained from the plant by distillation and also a bitter principle. Agrimony yields 5% tannin, so that its use in cottage medicine for gargles and as an astringent applicant to indolent ulcers & wounds is well justified. Owing to this presence of tannin, its use has been recommended in dressing leather. The whole plant yields a good quality yellow dye: when gathered in September, the colour given is pale, much like that called nankeen; later in the year the dye is of a darker hue and will dye wool a deep yellow. Sheep and goats
will eat this plant, but cattle, horses and pigs leave it untouched. Care: Persons with stress-related constipation should avoid using Agrimony. DISCLAIMER: This page is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for accurate diagnosis and treatment by a qualified health care professional. The author is neither a chemist nor an herbalist and has had no medical training whatsoever. The content herein is the product of research, not practical experience. |
