Everything You Need to Know About

Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria)

Botanical family: Rosaceae

Parts used: Leaves

Overview and Health Benefits

Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) has been used for centuries to address a variety of health issues, supported by both traditional historical usage and modern scientific studies. Known for its astringent, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic properties, agrimony has proven effective in treating digestive disorders, skin conditions, and respiratory ailments.

Main Benefits of Agrimony:

Digestive Health: Promotes healthy digestion and alleviates gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhoea and indigestion.
Skin Health: Helps treat minor wounds, skin irritations, and inflammatory skin conditions due to its astringent properties.
Respiratory Support: Provides relief from coughs, sore throats, and other respiratory issues.
Liver and Gallbladder Function: Supports liver health and aids in the management of gallbladder problems.

Agrimony is particularly valued for its role in supporting digestive health. It has been traditionally used to alleviate diarrhoea, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, and other gastrointestinal discomforts (Denham et al., 2016). Modern studies confirm its efficacy, noting its ability to soothe the digestive tract and promote overall gastrointestinal wellness (Paluch et al., 2020).

In the realm of skin health, agrimony's astringent qualities make it a popular choice for treating minor wounds, skin irritations, and inflammatory skin conditions. Its application can help to dry out wounds and reduce inflammation, accelerating the healing process (Vasilenko et al., 2022).

Respiratory ailments are another area where agrimony shines. It has been used to relieve coughs, sore throats, and other respiratory issues (Denham et al., 2016; Paluch et al., 2020). The herb's anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe irritated tissues in the respiratory tract, making it a valuable remedy during cold and flu seasons (Santos et al., 2017).

Agrimony is believed to support liver function and assist in the management of gallbladder issues, promoting overall liver health and aiding in the detoxification process (Denham et al., 2016; Paluch et al., 2020).

Finally, agrimony's anti-inflammatory effects extend beyond respiratory and skin health. It is often used to manage inflammation associated with arthritis and sore muscles, providing relief from pain and stiffness (Santos et al., 2017).

Safety Profile

Agrimony is generally considered a mild, gentle and safe herb. However, it contains tannins and has astringent properties, which can be contraindicated in the presence of constipation, malnutrition, dryness, or anaemia (Denham et al., 2016).

As with any herbal remedy, it is advisable to consult with a qualified medical herbalist before using agrimony, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking prescription medications.

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Key Body Systems Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) relates to

Digestive System

Urinary system

Respiratory system

Cooling

Drying

Key actions

Astringent
Hemostatic
Analgesic
Bitter tonic
Alterative

Key uses

Digestive and liver support
Urinary tract infections
Wounds
Sore throats
Coughs

Where to Find Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria)

Agrimony is a plant that you can easily spot in the wild if you know what to look for. It grows tall and thin, up to about 1.5 metres, with small, bright yellow flowers that appear in a long spike. The leaves are jagged and look a bit like a feather, with several small leaflets along each side. After flowering, the plant produces burr-like seed heads that stick to clothing and animal fur.

You can find agrimony in sunny or partly shaded areas like meadows, grassy banks, and forest edges. It grows well in well-drained soil and is common across Europe, parts of Asia, and North America. In the UK, it is widespread in England and Wales but less common in Scotland and Ireland.

If you would like to forage agrimony, make sure you correctly identify the plant by its yellow flowers and burr-like seeds. Avoid picking plants from places that might be polluted, like roadsides or fields that have been sprayed with pesticides. Always forage responsibly by taking only what you need and leaving enough for wildlife and the plant to continue growing. For safety, it's best to check with a knowledgeable herbalist or botanist before using any foraged plants.

References

Denham, A. (2016). Tobyn, G., Denham, A., & Whitelegg, M. (2016). The western herbal tradition: 2000 years of medicinal plant knowledge (Reprint of 1st ed. 2011). London, UK: Singing Dragon.

Paluch, Z., Biriczová, L., Pallag, G., Marques, E. C., Vargová, N., & Kmoníčková, E. (2020). The therapeutic effects of Agrimonia eupatoria L. Physiological Research, 69(Suppl 4), S555–S571. https://doi.org/10.33549/physiolres.934641

Santos, T. N., Costa, G., Ferreira, J. P., Liberal, J., Francisco, V., Paranhos, A., Cruz, M. T., Castelo-Branco, M., Figueiredo, I. V., & Batista, M. T. (2017). Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities of Agrimonia eupatoria L. infusion. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2017, 8309894. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8309894

Vasilenko, T., Kovác, I., Slezák, M., Ďurkáč, J., Peržel’ová, V., Čoma, M., Kaňuchová, M., Urban, L., Szabo, P., Dvořánková, B., Vrzgula, A., Zajíček, R., Smetana, K., & Gál, P. (2022). Agrimonia eupatoria L. aqueous extract improves skin wound healing: An in vitro study in fibroblasts and keratinocytes and in vivo study in rats. In Vivo, 36(3), 1236-1244. https://doi.org/10.21873/invivo.12822

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Overview and Health Benefits

Main Benefits of Agrimony:

Safety Profile