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 Agrimonia eupatoria (Rosaceae)
AGRIMONY, COCKLEBUR,
CHURCH STEEPLES
Agrimony has been a popular medicinal herb throughout history; one ancient recipe suggested mixing it with human blood and frogs to stop internal bleeding. Its leaves, which the French value as a tisane, have a delicate aroma. Agrimony grows wild all over Europe, Asia and North America, especially on dry waste ground. It has attractive, hairy, divided leaves at ground level and a tall spike with bright yellow flowers in the summer. The flowers produce fruit covered in tough hairs, which stick to passing animals or clothes.
PARTS USED
Stems, leaves.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Tannins; coumarins; volatile
oil; flavonoids, including apigenin and quercitin.
ACTIONS
Astringent; increases urine production.
MEDICINAL USE
Used against diarrhoea in children and mucous colitis (an inflammatory condition of the intestines), as a poultice for ulcers and slowly healing wounds, and as a gargle in acute sore throats. Given for tuberculosis and internal bleeding by Chinese physicians.
PREPARATIONS
Infusion, tincture, gargle, poultice. |
