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Agrimony Leaf
Summary:
The name agrimony comes from the Greek Argemone, which means a plant that is healing to the eyes, although Agrimony isn’t often used in this capacity. Eupetoria is a reference to a king who died in 63 BC and was renowned for his herbal skill and knowledge. It is also called church steeples for how the flower spikes stand up straight and tall. Agrimony is also known as cockleburr and sticklewort for the burrs on the fruit. This member of the Rosaceae family (rose family) is used in traditional medicine to treat inflammatory and oxidative related diseases. Aerial parts of the plant are used to make teas, infusions, bath bags, mouthwash and topical preparations.
Folklore and history
Agrimony’s botanical name “Agrimonia eupatoria” refers to Mithridates Eupator, king of Pontus, who is remembered by early herbalists for fashioning a “universal antidote” to protect him from all earthly poisons.
The famous Roman philosopher and naturalist, Pliny, described Agrimony as “an herb of princely authorite”.
Agrimony has long been regarded as powerfully magical, and one of its earliest common names is “fairy’s wand”. In an 18th century Scottish witch trial, Agrimony was mentioned as a witch’s cure for people who were “elf-shot” or suffering unexplained illness.
Traditional use
The word Agrimony is derived from the Greek “Argemone”, meaning “that which heals the eye”. Being abundant throughout the UK, Agrimony has been used in herbal medicine for hundreds, if not thousands of years. The Anglo-Saxons, who called it garclive, identified its healing properties and used it extensively for wounds, snake bites and warts. In later times it was used to treat gunshot wounds due to its coagulant effect.
It has also been traditionally used as an aid to digestive complaints, a diuretic and to improve respiratory conditions such as coughs, colds and bronchitis. Agrimony was once considered a panacea or “all-heal” for illnesses.
This medium to tall, erect perennial plant has deeply veined pinnate leaves and is easily recognized by its conspicuous spike of five petalled yellow flowers throughout the summer. Each flower develops into a distinctive reddish-brown woody fruit, deeply furrowed and fringed with hooked bristles.
Young leaves grow in a basal rosette. As the plant matures they occur alternate on the stem, stalked, and stipulate. Stem leaves are smaller than rosette leaves; the upper part of stem leaves are shorter than the internodes. Leaf blade is pinnate, 3 to 6-paired, with a terminal leaflet Leaflets are elliptic–lanceolate, large-toothed, the underside is densely haired, with glandular hairs and somewhat greyish. Between leaflets small leaflets intermixed with large ones.(Edible Wild Food)
Digestive Health
Agrimony is classed as a bitter herb, bitters stimulate the production of enzymes and stomach acid, readying the digestive system for the optimum assimilation of nutrients from food consumed. The bitter principles of Agrimony can regulate the liver and gallbladder function – in Germany it has been used to treat gallstones and cirrhosis of the liver. It is also indicated in gallbladder disease associated with gastric hyper-acidity.
The high tannin content of Agrimony, coupled with its anti-inflammatory effects make it especially beneficial for various gastrointestinal complaints, particularly mild cases of diarrhoea. It is believed to reduce swelling in the soft tissues of the GI tract and the gut. Its tannins tone the mucous membranes, improving their secretion and absorption.
Wound Healing
Also known as the “gunshot herb”, Agrimony has been used since medieval times to speed up wound healing and staunch bleeding. It is an excellent coagulant (a substance that causes blood or another liquid to coagulate), and as such was used to treat battlefield wounds.
Nowadays, this effect makes Agrimony useful for reducing bleeding in the body, including heavy menstrual bleeding. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help to alleviate menstrual discomfort caused by heavy periods.
Detoxification
Agrimony is rich in beneficial plant compounds that support the body’s ability to get rid of waste. These include; tannins, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, flavones and phenolic acids which have a powerfully healing antioxidant effect. Furthermore, these compounds have been proven to be anti-inflammatory and analgesic in nature.
Additionally, Agrimony has diuretic properties which aid in causing kidneys to continually flush out toxins whilst increasing urination. This helps to cleanse the system of excess fluids and stimulate the kidneys, causing the body to flush out uric acid and excess crystals that can cause many problems including gout, arthritis and kidney stones.
Liver Health
The active constituents of Agrimony are also useful in treating increased bile production, stones in the bile duct and pain in the gallbladder and liver. In fact, in a 2018 study it was shown to protect against liver injury due to its lipid lowering and antioxidant activities. Thus, Agrimony can be taken as a tonic to strengthen and protect the liver.
Respiratory Health
Agrimony has long been used to easy conditions of the upper respiratory tract. It is especially useful when used as a gargle to soothe sore throats, mouth ulcers and inflamed gums. It is often used by performers and speakers to relax the throat and strengthen the voice.
Botanical name:
Agrimonia eupatoria
Origin:
Bulgaria
Agrimone, Agrimonia, Agrimonia eupatoria, Aigremoine, Aigremoine Eupatoire, Church Steeples, Churchsteeples, Cockeburr, Cocklebur, Common Agrimony, Da Hua Long Ya Cao, Eupatoire-des-Anciens, Fragrant Agrimony, Francormier, Herba Agrimoniae, Herbe-de-Saint-Guillaume, Herbe de Sainte Madeleine, Philanthropos, Soubeirette, Sticklewort, Thé des Bois, Thé du Nord, Toute-Bonne.
Iron, flavonoids, silica, vitamins B and K. Agrimony is rich in beneficial plant compounds that support the body’s ability to get rid of waste. These include; tannins, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, flavones and phenolic acids which have a powerfully healing antioxidant effect. Furthermore, these compounds have been proven to be anti-inflammatory and analgesic in nature.
Caution: N/A
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