Agrimony

Common agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) is an herbaceous plant of the Rosacea family cultivated for its medicinal benefit. It is considered an “all-heal” plant for many illnesses and is widely used in traditional medicine. Agrimony has a deep root in folklore since it was believed to be effective in warding off witchcraft. In voodoo practices, it was used to repel jinxes and hexes and send them back to the spell caster.

The aerial parts of agrimony emit a sweet scent, especially its flowers that exude an apricot-like fragrance. Thus, it is used for making potpourris or improving the taste and aroma of homemade beer. Its showy yellow flowers grow in towering spikes earning names such as church steeples and fairy’s wand.

Agrimony use is traced back to the Anglo-Saxons (it was known as garclive), where it was used as an antidote for snakebites. The Greeks named it Argemone, meaning healing to the eyes. Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides recommended the herb for his patients with ulcers. In the 18th century, it was discovered as an effective plant for treating tuberculosis and jaundice.

Where Is Agrimony Found

Agrimony is abundant in the Northern hemisphere, particularly in Europe and the western United States. There is also a species that grows in North Africa. They love to flourish in hedge banks, woodland margins, and meadows. In temperate countries, agrimony is a common wildflower occurring in grassy places. Presently, Spain is the largest producer of agrimony; whereas France, Italy, and Bulgaria benefit from the industry.

How To Identify Agrimony

In the wild, agrimony is identifiable by its tall, spiky flower and jagged leaves. This aromatic perennial grows hooked seeds, often found attached to clothes and animal furs. Sheep and goats will feed on agrimony but not the cattle and swine.

Leaves. Agrimony leaves are dark green with a whitish underside, arranged alternately on the stem. The leaves have varying sizes. Those near the ground are longer. Leaves become shorter as they move up the stem. The leaves are pinnate or divided to the midrib into pairs of leaflets. They are oblong to almost diamond-like in shape with toothed edges.

Flowers. Agrimony produces numerous yellow flowers that are arranged closely in slender terminal spikes. Each flower has five egg-shaped petals, narrower in width than its length and slightly notched at the end. There are about ten stamens with yellow anthers which turn orange upon maturity.

Fruits and Seeds. After the flowers withered, the calyx of agrimony droops downward. It develops into a green, bell-shaped fruit, surrounded by a fringe of long bristles. The fruit matures into a woody, reddish-brown color with deep furrows and burrs or hooked bristles. The dry seeds are tough and easily attach to clothing.

Roots. Agrimony has deep, fibrous, and non-tuberous rhizomes. The roots are long, black, and slightly woody.

Stem. From the roots, erect and cylindrical agrimony stems rose out. They are rough and grow to about 1 to 3 feet or more. Agrimony is mostly unbranched or slightly branched as it grows taller. The stems are slightly grooved, and the whole plant is covered with tiny hairs.

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Agrimonia eupatoria is one of the species of the herbaceous and flowering Rosaceae or rose family. This dainty and slender plant is known by many names, such as church steeples, liverwort, and stickwort.

Agrimony has a wide variety of species with minor differences in size, pubescence (plant hairs), or fragrance. However, it should not be confused with hemp agrimony, a species from the daisy family.

The known species of agrimony include:

• pilosa is found in China and used as an herbal remedy for bleeding and diarrhea
• procera syn. A. odorata is the most fragrant variety with larger leaves and paler flowers

How To Grow Agrimony

Agrimony is easy to grow and thrives well in USDA Zones 6 to 9. Since it is a wildflower, it can grow with little to less maintenance. This herb is a good companion plant with other perennial herbs.

You can plant agrimony directly in the garden as a border plant. They also look good in containers, provided the medium can hold moisture but is well-drained. However, they don’t tend to grow as tall as they should when planted in pots compared to their growth if planted in the garden.

Agrimony can grow from seeds, which you can buy at online seed stores, or root cuttings. They can thrive in all types of soil but proliferate healthily in well-draining soil. Here’s how you can grow your own medicinal plants at home.

Growing Agrimony From Seeds

Agrimony has a long growing season and is best planted in spring after the dangers of the last frost. You may also start them indoors anytime to make them ready for transplant by springtime.

Ensure successful germination by stratifying the seeds for 4 to 8 weeks before sowing them. To do this, fill a zip-lock bag with moistened vermiculite and place it in the fridge. Keep the bag moist until the seeds start to sprout.

If you live in areas without frost, you can go ahead and sow the seeds directly in the garden or start them in a seedling tray.

Sprinkle the seeds in a well-draining tray filled with all-purpose soil. Cover them lightly with soil, about ¼ inch, and moisten the tray with water.

Water the medium only if the soil feels dry and thin the plants to enable healthy growth. Transplant the seedlings when they reach at least 4 inches.

Growing Agrimony From Root Cuttings

Alternatively, you can grow agrimony by foraging for roots in the wild. Choose a healthy plant, dig it up, and then cut its roots into 3-inch sections. Replant the mother plant in its spot for it to re-grow new buds.

Put the foraged roots in a tray of seed-raising mix and cover them lightly with the medium. Mist the soil, cover the tray with plastic, and place it in an area with indirect light. Keep the soil moist until shoots and new roots develop.

Once the shoots are about 4 inches tall, divide the roots and transplant them to their permanent place.

Plant Care and Maintenance

Agrimony needs little intervention and can thrive in a variety of soil conditions. Fertilizer is unnecessary unless the plants are growing stunted.

Care for agrimony is simple, and they only need the following growing requirements:

• Well-draining soil
• Full sun to partial shade
• Soil pH level between 6.0 to 7.0
• Watering when the soil is dry

While the plant is generally resilient, it is still prone to pests and diseases. Root rot and powdery mildew may occur when the plant is waterlogged. The best way of preventing them is to avoid overwatering the agrimony.

How To Harvest Agrimony

Agrimony takes time to grow and may not bloom quickly. You can harvest the leaves anytime when you need them. But if you want more potent parts for medicine, harvest them in mid-summer, just before the flower blooms.

Snip off the whole agrimony and tie them into small bundles. Hang the bundles upside-down in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight. Allow them to air dry for about a week until the leaves are dry and crisp.

Pluck the leaves and wrap them in a paper bag. You may also keep them in plastic bags, although these cannot prevent molds from forming.

What Agrimony Is Good For And Natural Remedies Made From It

Agrimony is considered an all-heal herb because of its effectiveness against many health problems. Traditionally, it is used to cure snakebites, wounds, and skin problems. It can also cure eye irritation and many eye problems. Its ability to aid in the treatment of eye issues earned its Greek name Argemone (healing to the eye).

Over time, it was discovered to be an effective herb for other health issues.

Agrimony has astringent properties that can cure ulcers.

As a bitter herb, it aids in various digestive and gastrointestinal complaints such as indigestion, diarrhea, dysentery, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Agrimony is anti-inflammatory, alleviating stomach membrane and tissue inflammations.

The active components of agrimony hold out hope for treating diabetes as they regulate glucose and insulin uptake.

Agrimony can also cure gallbladder problems because of its glycoside content.

The topical application of agrimony is effective against skin issues. It is used to cure acne, pimples, rashes, psoriasis, and eczema. It is also taken orally for managing blemishes, blotches, and bruises. Agrimony contains antioxidant that flushes out free radicals from the body. Thus, it can slow down the aging process and minimize wrinkles and dark spots.

Further, the silicic acid found in agrimony may also foster overall hair and nail growth.

Agrimony is beneficial for people with incontinence or weak bladder control as well. Because of this, it is used to help control bedwetting in children.

Agrimony is one of the potent herbs for treating respiratory conditions and hastening the healing process.

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For women with menstrual issues, agrimony is one of the most useful and effective healing herbs to consider. A tonic of agrimony reduces heavy menstrual bleeding and alleviates cramps. It further regulates difficult menses by soothing the inflammation of the reproductive system.

In summary, agrimony can cure health problems not limited to the following:

• Diabetes
• Skin problems
• Digestive and gastrointestinal complaints
• Eye problems, conjunctivitis
• Incontinence
• Menstrual issues
• Gallbladder problems
• Aging
• Mood swings and stress
• Ulcers and wounds
• Insomnia
• Intestinal parasites
• Clotting and bleeding disorders
• Various inflammations

What Parts Of Agrimony Are Used For Remedies

All parts of agrimony are used for remedies, including its roots. Its leaves are consumed as infusion, decoction, brew, or tea. A compress and poultice of its ground leaves are used for topical application.

Agrimony infusion is used as a bath additive for relieving minor tension or used as a wound wash.

Agrimony is not a widely used commercial medicine but is a homemade herbal remedy. However, in some stores, you may find it in the form of liquid extract, essential oil, or tincture.

Agrimony Tincture

Ingredients

• ½ cup dried agrimony
• 16 fl oz vodka, 80 proof (40% alcohol)

Steps

1. Put the dried agrimony leaves in a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid.
2. Fill the jar with vodka.
3. Cap tightly and label accordingly. Leave the mixture in a dry place for two weeks, shaking it occasionally.
4. After two weeks, strain the tincture and transfer it into amber or colored glass tincture bottles. Keep the bottle tightly closed at all times for its potency to last for up to two years.

How To Use This Remedy

Agrimony tincture is the most effective in treating diarrhea and other health concerns. The standard dose is taking 15 drops of the tincture mixed with juice or water, two times a day. The dosage is intended for adults and children 12 years old and above.

What Plants Resemble Agrimony

Features	Common Agrimony (Agrimonia Eupatoria)	Great Mullein (Verbascum Thapsus)	Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)
Size	1 – 3 ft	3 – 10 ft	2 – 7 ft
Leaves	Dark green with whitish underside; alternate; compound; oblong to rhombic; serrated	Green/silver; velvety; simple; alternate; elliptical	Green; elliptical; alternate; serrated
Flowers	Yellow; numerous; terminal spikes; five petals	Yellow; spike; five petals; saucer-shaped	Yellow; terminal spikes; showy
Fruits/Seeds	Green to woody reddish-brown fruit; bell-shaped; burrs; achene	Brown; capsule; numerous seeds	Brown; achenes; pappus
Stem	Erect; cylindrical; unbranched to slightly branched; grooved; hairy	Erect; single; unbranched; hairy	Erect; unbranched; slender; soft hairs on upper half; hairless on lower parts
Scent	Spicy sweet; apricot-like flower scent	Slightly astringent; honey-scented flowers	Sweet; anise-like

Warnings and Cautions

Agrimony is possibly safe for adults when taken for a short period and for a dosage not exceeding 3 grams daily.

Do not use agrimony when pregnant since it can directly affect the menstrual cycle. Its safety for breastfeeding women is not yet established. Thus, it is better to avoid using agrimony for safety.

Do not use this herb for children under 12 years old.

Agrimony contains tannins that may cause allergic reactions. If you are allergic to roses, you are highly likely sensitive to agrimony as well. Rashes can occur when handling fresh or dried agrimony parts.

If you are under medication for other health conditions, consult your physician before using agrimony. Only the doctor and qualified health practitioner can give the appropriate dosage depending on your age, overall health, and specific medical condition.

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