T.L.C Agrimonia Eupatoria Background
The species Agrimonia Eurpatoria, also known as Common Agrimony, is in the family Rosaceae (rose family). The herb is a flowering plant which can go by Sticklewort, Liverwort, Cockeburr and Church Steeples as well. This is due to the spike like appearance of the plant. This is a hardy perennial which is found in grassland, damp meadows, near streams and other open areas in Northern Hemisphere.
The herb has a long history of medicinal use which date back as far as 63 BC. Agrimony was named after the Turkish king, Mithridates Eupator of Pontus. He was very well versed in herbology, and had discovered many well-known properties of the herb.
It is believed Agrimony’s symbol, in the flower language, means gratefulness or thankfulness. This may stem from the many historical uses of the herb for healing. According to folklore Common Agrimony also has magical properties. This includes giving protection from evil spirits, witches and uses as a ward for hexes and curses.
Common Agrimony Cultivation and Harvest
Common Agrimony is a perennial wildflower that thrives in normal well drained Alkaline soil. The plant is very prevalent in grassy open areas, hedge banks, woodland edges, and marsh areas. The preferred climate according to the USDA is plant zones 6 through 9 or 70 – 75F. It prefers full sunlight but can thrive in partial shade. Sow the seeds about 12 inches apart in spring, once the danger of frost is past ensuring to cover them with ¼ inch of fine layered soil. The plant can also be propagated from matured roots.
The plant prefers dry soil which only requires light watering so avoid overwatering them. Germination can be sporadic over 4 – 8 weeks after planting from seed. Harvest the arial parts of the plant, such as the leaves and the flowers when the plant is in bloom over summer (June through September) or about 90 to 130 days after planting. Use the arial parts fresh or dry as required.
Reference my article on plant anatomy for better understanding of the structure of a plant.
Agrimony Identification
Agrimony can grow up to two – three feet tall and is aromatic, smelling slightly of apricots. Short hairs cover the stem which is a tall single spike. The leaves have a serrated lance shape and typically come in pairs. The upper leaves are green, and the underside is fuzzy and has a silver color. The roots appear black and wood-like.
Green buds grow from the upper tip of the stem down. The bright yellow five petal flowers open up between June and September, which line the upper stem. Each flower typically has five petals.
Medicinal Properties of Common Agrimony
The arial parts of Agrimony are a bitter astringent and contain tannins, coumarins, flavonoids, luteolin coumarins, palmitic acid, salicylic acid, silicic acid, polysaccharides and volatile oil.
Agrimony’s healing property is that it staunches bleeding and encourages clot formation. European and Chinees medicine uses the herb for healing wounds and to stop bleeding. Research has gone into the property for soothing skin aggravation, utilizing the plant for staunching blood and its anti-inflammatory properties.
Agrimony is also useful as a gentle tonic for upset stomachs and digestion. The tannins act as a remedy in helping diarrhea. Its diuretic properties make it a valuable remedy for cystitis, urinary incontinence as well.
Appropriate preparations are useful for flushing out toxins and for kidney stones. Agrimony in light doses is a useful nervine to help anxiety, arthritis, rheumatism and even sore throats. The herb may be beneficial for reducing inflammation on the skin and fighting off harmful bacteria. Additionally, the herb may be beneficial for topical use for conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and can help sooth dry itchy skin.
Other Uses
Common Agrimony is a great plant for attracting butterflies and honeybees due to the abundant pollen supply from the flowers lining the stem. The seeds are edible which you can eat hot or cold or dried and ground into meal.
The whole plant makes a natural yellow dye. The tint of the dye depends on when you harvest the plant. For instance, you can make a pale-yellow dye by harvesting the herb while it is young, or you can make a darker dye out of harvesting the plant at the end of the season.
Common Agrimony Safety
Agrimony is safe for short term use in most adults. Use of the herb in large amounts or long term can cause a buildup of Tannins which may cause skin sensitivity to sunlight. Consult a doctor prior to use during pregnancy or with infants. With appropriate preparation the herb can be gentle and suitable for use with children. Consult a doctor for appropriate dosing. As with any plant it can be an allergen and should be tested before use.
Checkout my article for some examples of ways for preparing Herbs for medical use.
