Agrimonia eupatoria

Read about Agrimonia eupatoria in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Agrimonia eupatoria, Linn. (A. officinalis, Lam.). Common Agrimony. Petals twice as long as calyx, latter making a small, lightly adhering bur.—Cult. in herb gardens to make a tonic tea, also in wild borders. Native to Eu. Grows 2-3 ft. high, in little clumps, from a short rootstock. Has been confused with our native A. hirsuta, Bicknell, which is not in the trade. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

? Common agrimony
Agrimonia eupatoria
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Subkingdom: Tracheobionta Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Sublass: Rosidae Order: Rosales Family: Rosaceae Genus: Agrimonia Species: A. eupatoria
Binomial name
Agrimonia eupatoria L., 1753

Agrimonia eupatoria is a species of agrimony that is often referred to as common agrimony, church steeples or sticklewort. The whole plant is dark green with numerous soft hairs. The soft hairs aid in the plant's seed pods sticking to any animal or person coming in contact with the plant. The flower spikes have a spicy odor like apricots.

In folklore

Agrimony has been stated as have medical and magical properties since the time of Pliny the elder. It is ruled astrologically by Cancer, according to Nicholas Culpeper. Common folklore held that it could cure musket wounds, and ward off witchcraft.

In herbal medicine

In traditional herbal medicine it was recommended as a cure for insomnia, often being incorporated in herbal pillows. It was also believed to be able to draw out splinters.

Modern herbalists prescribe it for disorders of the kidneys, liver and bladder. It has diuretic and exporant properties, and casn be used for mild skin complaints such as acne. Not all of these uses have been supported by scientific evidence. Template:Weasel-inline

References and external link

• Howard, Michael. Traditional Folk remedies (Century, 1987, pp 96-97)
• Agrimony, Agrimonia eupatoria - Information on seed germination, medicinal uses of plant, common names of the plant