Botanical Name

• Family Rosaceae
• Agrimonia eupatoria, A. procera, A. pilosa and other Agrimonia specie

Common Names

• Stickwort, Cocklebur, Liverwort, Common Agrimony, Philanthropos, Church Steeples, Sticklewort

Cautions

• No adverse effects have been noted. In fact, it is considered safe enough for children. However, because of its tannins, which are astringent, it should not be taken in large quantities as it can cause constipation or other digestive problems.
• It may also increase sensitivity to the sun if too much is taken.

Description

A native European herb, the plant is an erect, downy, and slightly aromatic perennial that grows to about three feet in height. It is commonly found in marshes, wet meadows, and open areas. The paired leaves are green above and silvery-green beneath. The yellow flowers are small, five-petaled growing on the terminal spikes, and are collected while in bloom during the summer.

History

The Latin name eupatoria was derived from Mithridates Eupator (d. 63 BCE), King of Pontus in northern Turkey, who was said to have had a profound knowledge of plant lore.

It is the main ingredient in “arquebusade water”, a 15th century battlefield remedy for wounds.

Native Americans mainly used two types, A. eupatoria anA. gryposepal. The Cherokee used it to normalize bowels, treat fever, ease hunger pangs in children, and build up the blood. Other uses included treating snake bites, jaundince, gout, and worms.

Key Actions

• anti-inflammatory
• antiparasitic and antibacterial properties (A. pilosa)
• astringent
• diuretic
• encourages clot formation
• mildly antiviral
• stimulates bile flow
• tissue healer

Key Components

• bitter principle
• coumarins
• flavonoids (including luteolin)
• minerals and vitamins B and K
• polysaccharides
• silica (connective tissue healer)
• tannins
• volatile oil

Medicinal Parts

• Leaves, flowers, stems (aerial parts)

Remedies

• infusion to treat diarrhea, especially in children and infants and can be taken by breast-feeding mothers to dose babies
• wash from infusions to clean wounds, sores, eczema, and varicose ulcers, and a weak infusion as an eyewash for conjunctivitis
• for tinctures, being more potent and drying than infusions and used for more serious conditions where phlegm and mucous stubbornly remain; also used for cystitis, urinary infections, bronchitis, and heavy menstrual bleeding
• poultices of the leaves for migraine headaches
• gargle made from an infusion for sore throats and nasal mucus
• decoctions used in China for heavy uterine bleeding, blood in the urine, dysentery, and intestinal parasites
• compresses soaked in a decoction to treat boils
• douches using a strained decoction for treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis

Traditional Uses

It can be combined with cornsilk to treat cystitis and urinary incontinence.

Because it staunches bleeding and encourages clot formation, it has long been used to heal wounds.

It is also used in the treatment of kidney stones, mild diarrhea, sore throats, rheumatism, and arthritis.

It can help relieve skin, mouth, and throat inflammations, and has been used to treat colds and asthma. It is an astringent, so makes an effective antidiarrheal agent.

When applied topically, agrimony leaves can help draw out thorns and splinters, stop cuts from bleeding, and help heal eczema, skin wounds, and sores.