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Information About The Herb Agrimony
Botanical Name: Agrimonia eupatoria
Common Name: Sticklewort, Cocklebur, Church Steeples, Odermenning
Plant Family: Rosaceae
Origin: The United States, Southern Canada and Northern Hemisphere - abundant throughout England (on hedge banks, sides of fields, dry thickets and all waste lands), but in Scotland it is more localized.
History: The use of Agrimony dates back to the ancient Egyptians. The name Agrimony comes from the Greek word Argemone (plants healing to eyes). The word Eupatoria comes from Mithridates Eupator (a herbalist king).
Culpepper states, 'this plant is under Jupiter and the sign of Cancer....'
Contains:
- Bitter principle
- Flavonoids
- Tannin (yields 5%) - these astringent compounds gently tighten and constrict the tissues they come into contact with.
- Vitamin C
- Volatile oil
Dosage:
Recommended dosage is as follows:
- Dried Herb: 3g/day
- Tea: infuse one to two teaspoons of dried leaves, stems, or flowers in 1 liter of hot water and steep for 5 to 15 minutes
- 1:2 fluid extract: 2-5mL/day
Medicinal Part used: The whole herb
Agrimony was used by the:
- ancient Greeks who soothed eye problems
- Anglo-Saxons who treated wounds with it
- North American native Indians
Folk Lore:
In folk lore Agrimony was used:
- since early times in protection spells
- to put under the pillow of a sleeping person to cause a deep sleep until the Agrimony is removed
- to banish negative energies and spirits
- to reverse spells and send them back to the sender
Agrimony is commonly used for:
Blood Conditions
- anemia
Cardiovascular Conditions
- enlargement of heart
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- diarrhea, especially mild, nonspecific, acute diarrhea - when sipped as a tea Agrimony will help control loose stools (drink one cup of Agrimony tea up to six times a day)
- digestive trouble
- enlargement of stomach
- indigestion
- mucous colitis
- overactive irritable bowel
- promotes assimilation of food
- relaxed bowels
- sluggish stomach conditions
- stimulates the flow of digestive juices
- stimulates the appetite
- ulcers
Genitourinary Conditions
- kidney and bladder disorders
- urinary tract infections combined with Hawthorn, Golden Rod and Thyme
Inflammatory Conditions
- gout
- rheumatism
Liver Conditions
- facilitates liver secretion
- gallbladder problems
- hardening of liver
- jaundice and other liver ailments
- obstruction of the liver
- sluggish liver conditions
Respiratory Tract Conditions
- coughs
- enlargement of lungs
- inflammation of oral and pharyngeal mucosa
- inflammation of the throat - the tea when cooled works as a throat gargle to reduce inflammation and relieve sore throat pain
- tonsillitis
Mental Conditions
The Agrimony flower is one of the Bach Flower Remedies used for:
- conditions of mental torture and worry
- hiding behind a cheery facade when feeling mentally challenged
Agrimony may be used as a gargle for:
- laryngitis
- public speakers
- singers
- throat disorders
- thrush or inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth
- tonsillitis
Skin Conditions
It is useful internally and externally for skin problems, skin eruptions and diseases of the blood such as:
- blotches
- pimples
- scrofulous sores
Applied externally in the form of a compress or poultice, Agrimony can reduce the severity of certain types of skin inflammation, such as:
- inflamed hemorrhoids,
- oozing wounds
- rashes
- varicose veins
Agrimony is used externally for:
- athlete's foot (fomentation)
- drawing out splinters, thorns. etc. (as a poultice)
- gout
- insect bites or stings
- mild, superficial inflammation of the skin
- scrofula
- slow-healing wounds
- sores on lower legs
- ulcers
- varicose veins
For external compresses:
For external use, prepare a very strong decoction (boiled tea) and allow the mixture to cool before soaking the compress in it and applying to the affected area several times a day.
Other Uses:
- A substitute for tea, a fragrant table beverage (leaves)
- A yellow dye may be extracted from the plant
Other Conditions
- appendicitis
- fevers
- lumbago
- spleen disorders
- tones the system
Action:
- anti-inflammatory [an agent to ease inflammation]
- antiseptic [an agent for inhibiting the growth of micro organism on living tissue or destroying pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria] - mild
- antiseptic activity against certain disease-causing bacteria and fungi
- astringent (mild) [an agent that contracts organic tissue, reducing secretions or discharges]
- deobstruant [an agent that clears away obstructions by opening the natural passages of the body]
- diuretic [an agent that increases the secretion and expulsion of urine]
- tonic [an agent that strengthens or invigorates organs or the entire organism]
- vulnerary [a healing application for wounds]
The leaf extract, is considered safe and the oil has low toxicity.
Caution:
Agrimony should not be used:
- in cases of constipation
- People with kidney or liver conditions should not take or apply agrimony products because of high tannin content which can be associated with kidney or liver damage
- Both oral and topical agrimony can make unprotected skin more sensitive to sunlight or artificial light in sun tanning parlors. If agrimony is taken or applied, sunscreen should be used, as well
- Cases of allergic reactions such as itchy rashes have been reported in individuals who handled fresh or dried agrimony plants. Because agrimony belongs to the same family of plants as roses, individuals with allergies to roses or related plants may also be sensitive to agrimony.
Taking it with other blood sugar-lowering herbal products may slightly increase the risk of hypoglycemia – blood sugar that is too low.
Herbals that may reduce blood sugar include:
If agrimony is used with other herbs that may affect blood clotting, excess bleeding may occur. Some of the most common herbal products that might inhibit blood clotting are:
- Devil’s Claw
- Eleuthero
- Danshen
- Garlic
- Ginger (in high amounts)
- Ginkgo
- Horse Chestnut
- Panax Ginseng
- Papain
- Red Clover
- Saw Palmetto
If agrimony is taken at the same time as other herbals that may also lower blood pressure, the risk that blood pressure may become too low may increase.
Other herbals that may decrease blood pressure include:
Large doses cause:
- diarrhea
- irritation of the alimentary canal
- vomiting
- taking it in very large amounts or for very long periods of time may result in hypoglycemia (blood sugar that is too low) or hypotension (blood pressure that is too low)
Drug Interactions:
Do not use Agrimony without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following medications:
- it may increase the effectiveness of insulin and oral medications used for the treatment of diabetes.
- when it is taken with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, the effect of the drug may be increased, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding.
- Antiplatelet drugs include Plavix and Ticlid
- Anticoagulants include heparin and warfarin
- As Aspirin can also delay clotting, Agrimony should not be taken orally at the same time aspirin is being taken
Taking Agrimony orally may increase the effects of drugs that also lower blood pressure. Some blood pressure-lowering drugs are:
- ACE inhibitors such as captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, and Monopril
- Beta blockers such as atenolol, metoprolol, and propranolol
- Calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine, Norvasc, and verapamil
- Diuretics such as Dyazide, furosemide, and hydrochlorothiazide
Global Herbal Supplies has Agrimony available in the following forms:
Information given by our website is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.
