Have you heard of agrimony? This herb has been around for hundreds of years and is often used in herbal preparations, particularly for the skin (treating acne and evening out skin tone). In ancient times it was used for wound healing and to stop bleeding, due to the high level of tannins.
Agrimony herbs are also used in natural dye thanks to a beautiful pale-yellow color. It has a sweet and pleasant lemony scent and grows wild in Europe and has several varieties that are native to the United States, growing throughout many regions.
If you’re wondering about agrimony and its uses, read on. We’ll explore all the ways you can use this popular and somewhat common herb.
The Many Uses of the Agrimony Herb
Agrimony is officially known as Agrimonia eupatoria.You can recognize the Agrimonia plant by the spikes of small yellow flowers and apricot-like scent. The plant is in the rose family. The flowers bloom in the summer months—June through September. In the fall, the flowers become seed pods, that are covered with burrs (making them stick to pets and clothing). The stems grow two-to-three feet tall with emerald green leaves.
Taxonomy of the Agrimony Herb
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae/Rosaceae Agrimonia Eupatoria
Genus: Agrimonia
Species: Eupatoria
Binomial Name: Agrimonia eupatoria
Agrimony has had many names throughout the years. It’s also known as church steeples, sticklewort, and cockeburr. In Elizabethan England, it was known as philanthropos (with the same root word as philanthropy—to give) thanks to its abundance of benefits and the way it would stick to travelers’ clothes giving them a parting gift on their journey.
The yellow herb makes a wonderful natural dye and was used to dye wool throughout Europe. The result is a pale-yellow color when using young herbs and a darker yellow color when using end-of-season plants.
Herbalists also used agrimony orally and topically for several different ailments throughout history. When dried, the leaves have a similar apricot-like scent as the flowers. People used to add agrimony to tea for a delicate spring flavor and believed blood purification properties. Some animals like sheep and goats love agrimony, while others like horses, cattle, and deer generally ignore it in the wild.
History of Agrimony
Because agrimony has been around for many centuries, it’s been used over the years for different applications as an herbal remedy. It was thought to have magical properties, and it is mentioned throughout old English texts. The name agrimony stems from argemone, which is a Greek word meaning “healing to the eyes.”
The word Eupatoria (as we know it here at Eupterra) comes from Mithridates Eupator—a Pontus king who was well-known for his herbal remedies. The king used herbs to make a universal anecdote that was said to protect him from any illness, poison, or harm. Agrimony Euptatoria is thought to have many healing properties.
In folklore, agrimony was used to ward off hexes and curses. Anglo-Saxons used agrimony in charms, preparing them with blood and frogs. The magic properties of the herb were believed to protect homes from goblins and practitioners would often hang a small bag of agrimony in the corners of a room. It was believed that agrimony blocked curses, prevented poisoning, and reversed any negative energy, sending it back to whoever cast the spell. Agrimony was also thought to help with sleep and adding a few leaves under a pillow was a way to help with insomnia.
The Roman philosopher Pliny spoke of Agrimony’s “princely authorite,” and it is mentioned throughout many medical and philosophical texts. It was referred to by some garclive and others as “fairy’s wand.” In Scotland, agrimony was believed to be an anecdote to elven mischief (which was usually the believed cause of any mysterious illness).
In Eastern countries, like China, agrimony was thought to be a remedy for menstrual pain, cramps, and excessive bleeding. It was used by Native Americans in many remedies as well.
Early people believed that Agrimony could heal snakebites and wounds. It was often used in a poultice along with Mugwort and vinegar to treat joint and back pain. It was thought to cure warts. It could be taken internally to resolve internal hemorrhaging. It was also thought to be a good treatment for bruises and sprains. Because it has coagulant abilities, it was also used to slow blood loss in battle.
Agrimony is also quite a pretty herb. In Victorian Era in England, agrimony flowers were used to express gratitude and appreciation.
How is Agrimony Used Today?
Agrimony is still used today, although the results aren’t medically proven and haven’t been fully tested in modern medicine. Herbalists recognize agrimony’s bitter and astringent properties. In fact, its astringent properties are so strong that the tannins can be used to treat leather.
In herbal medicine, agrimony is considered helpful for many different issues, including:
- Digestive concerns including constipation and diarrhea
- Liver and gallbladder health
- As an anti-inflammatory
- As an antiparasitic
- For strengthening hair and nails
- Respiratory illness
- Detoxification
- Wound healing
Agrimony is used to help with many digestive concerns. Agrimony is a diuretic. It can help with constipation and digestive irregularities. Because of the bitterness and tannins in agrimony, it can increase certain enzymes and balance acids in the stomach.
It’s believed that agrimony can also assist with liver and gallbladder issues thanks to regulating bile production and antioxidant properties. Agrimony contains thiamine, quercitrin, and catechins that are thought to help eradicate toxins, preventing further damage to the liver. It’s thought to be a remedy and treatment for cirrhosis, gallstones, and gallbladder illness, due to stomach acidity. It can act similarly to liver detoxification supplements like Melaleuca’s Liver Wise, my recommended go-to option for liver health. Some people like to drink an agrimony tonic to promote liver health.
Agrimony also has anti-inflammatory properties. So, it’s soothing to the GI tract and can help calm mild diarrhea and stomach upset. The anti-inflammatory abilities calm swelling and irritation in the gut, while tannins help to balance the mucous membranes.
It’s also helpful for breaking up mucus in colds, coughs, and respiratory inflammation. It makes an excellent gargle for sore throats. Again, the anti-inflammatory properties are soothing to inflamed tissues and can help reduce discomfort, while also clearing excess mucus.
Agrimony has flavones and flavanols, as well as phenolic acids, which are all considered antioxidants. These compounds help reduce inflammation throughout the body while also helping support functions and remove waste products in the body. The diuretic properties of the agrimony herb also help clear out waste and increase urination. It is thought that this can help the body flush out kidney crystals and stones, while reducing issues like gout.
The anti-inflammatory properties of agrimony are also thought to help with arthritis pain and discomfort. It can promote healing and reduce pain.
Agrimony is a coagulant, meaning that it can help slow bleeding (hence the use of agrimony to treat wounds in battle). The coagulant effect is helpful for heavy menstrual periods and the associated pain and discomfort. It’s important to note that many of these benefits are yet unproven, and agrimony isn’t recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing.
Agrimony contains palmitic acid, a fatty acid that has been found to help ward off skin cancer and sun effects. It also contains silicic acid, which is beneficial for nails, hair, and the skin.
In folk medicine, agrimony can be added to pillows for a good night’s sleep. It’s been used to reverse spells and is often used in spell work for those who want to balance their feelings and moods.
Growing Your Own Agrimony
Agrimony is easy to grow and fairly common. There are many different species of agrimony in both Europe and North America. It is also found throughout Asia. The herb is very robust and hearty, often growing in wooded areas and prairie fields.
Agrimony is a great addition to your herbal garden. It needs regular water and partial sun, but it’s fairly low-maintenance, deer tolerant, and easy to grow. Harvest agrimony flowers and leaves in the spring and summer. They can be dried and used in many different applications. Be sure to harvest your agrimony before it starts growing burrs in the autumn months. The burrs are seed pods that can be used to grow more next year.
The most common way to use agrimony from your garden is to dry leaves, stems, and flowers and use the agrimony to make a tea. The tea can be used to help with digestive issues or to soothe sore throats as a gargle. To treat skin issues, create a poultice of the dried agrimony or soak a gauze compress in strong tea. Look for agrimony powder, essential oil, and extract to use in different applications.
Agrimony is a pretty, scented herb that’s useful and fun to grow. It’s worth seeking out this medicinal plant as an addition to your herb garden. I’d love to hear your experience with agrimony and if you’ve had success growing this amazing plant.
Other herbs to explore:
Leave A Reply!