Agrimony - Properties, uses, benefits and applications.
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What does Agrimony to? What is it good for? What does it help?
Agrimony is a Rose family member with upright, tall hairy stems and yellow flowers. It is native to Europe, but also found in north America and Asia. It is Commonly found growing wild in wasteland or damp hedgerows. Traditionally, Cliniquefoil has more mention in older texts, yet Agrimony, (which shares similar properties to Cliniquefoil), is now considered the herb of choice, although these and are sometimes used interchangeably. Agrimony's botanical name "Agrimonia eupatoria" refers to Mithridates Eupator, king of Pontus, who is remembered by early herbalists for fashioning a "universal antidote" to protect him from all earthly poisons. Agrimony is linked to the throat chakra in modern spirituality, yet retains it's popular use as a protective and reflective plant, and is believed to be useful energetically when low level strife hits the workplace. With so many medicinal home uses, he is a must for the home apothecary!
Agrimony is happy in all soil types as long as it is well drained. It thrives in partial shade or full sun. He can be grown from seeds, either directly in the garden after all danger of frost has passed in spring. or started indoors earlier, and transplanted into the garden when seedlings are about 10 cm tall and days are warmer. Allow at least 12 inches (30 cm.) between each seedling. Watch for seeds to germinate in 10 to 24 days. Plants are generally ready for harvest 90 to 130 days after planting. Agrimony herbs don’t need more that a light water until the plants are established, and when the soil is dry. If over watered, powdery mildew can form on the leaves and too much moisture can also result in deadly root rot,
Leaves and flowers can be powdered and placed in capsules, used whole in infusion or decoction, or tinctured. The energetic properties of the plant are believed to also be extracted when creating a flower remedy, using homeopathic principles. Each method extracts different quantities of the plant's many constituents, otherwise known as "actives", and these include phytosterols, palmitic acid, salicylic acid, silicic acid and stearic acid; flavonoids such as apigenin, glycosides, kaempferol, luteolin-7-glucoside, quercetin, and quercitrin; tannins such as agrimoniin, ellagitannin and gallotannin. Each one of these has a different action or benefit in the body.
- Powder or capsules: Leaves are dried or ground, meaning all the active constituents are present in balanced ratios. A therapeutic dose will vary between 1,000 - 2,000mg, 3 times daily, with occasional additional dose if deemed benefit over risk by a qualifies herbalist.
- Tinctures : A tincture extracts many medicinally potent alkaloids as well as water soluble constituents. It is made either with Fresh Leaf (1 part plant to 2 parts alcohol, with 95% ethanol content); OR with dried Leaf (1 part plant to 5 parts alcohol, with 50% ethanol content). Typical doses vary between 5 drops - 3ml, 3 times daily
- Teas: 1 teaspoon of dried leaf or flowers, to 1 cup of boiling water., covered and brewed for 10 minutes and drunk 1-4 times a day
- Flower Remedies: Flower Remedy is particularly useful to experience the emotional benefits of the plant. Follow manufacturer's dosing instructions.
Agrimony is not proven safe when breastfeeding and is consider unsafe generally for use during pregnancy. This is due to it's tissue toning effects, as well as its blood sugar lowering capacity and ability to effect menstrual cycles. The exception is if used in flower remedy form, as the homeopathic preparation does not contain physical constituents, only energetic imprinting. Due to it's ability to lower blood sugars, it is best avoided by those with diabetes. It should also be avoided two weeks before surgery as sudden changes can place a person under aesthetic in danger (hence why we are instructed not to eat). Some of the many medications that are unsafe to take alongside Agrimony are certain doses of blood thinning medication, diabetic medications, and blood pressure medications .There are other medication types which must be avoided too. If you are taking any medications, please speak with a qualified herbalist . (Feel free to use the webchat function!). Those with a tendency towards anaemia should avoid herbs high in tannins as they can interfere with iron absorption.. Those with blood pressure conditions may also need to avoid Agrimony as well as persons with gallstones. There are other conditions too. (In some cases, it may be used in clinically controlled dosing and under supervision). Therefore, If you have any diagnosed health conditions, please speak with a qualified herbalist.
Name: Agrimonia eupatoria
Interesting Facts:
- Cliniquefoil or Tormentil share similar proprties to Agrimony and are sometimes used interchainably
- Agrimony's botanical name "Agrimonia eupatoria" refers to Mithridates Eupator, king of Pontus, who is remembered by early herbalists for fashioning a "universal antidote" to protect him from all earthly poisons.
Chakra: Throat
Parts used: Leaves and flowers
Plant descriptive: Rose family member perennial with upright, hairy stems and yellow flowers.
Growing: Commonly found wild in wasteland or damp hedgerows. Prefers damp, fertile soil. Will tolerate partial shade or full sun
Location: Native to Europe, but also found in north America and Asia
Harvesting: Gather flowers in summer whilst flowering, and leaves in spring. Dry in the shade at under 40 degrees Celsius
Constituents: coumarins, volatile oils, Vitamins B and K, bitters, mucilage, phytosterols, palmitic acid, salicylic acid, silicic acid and stearic acid; flavonoids such as apigenin, glycosides, kaempferol, luteolin-7-glucoside, quercetin, and quercitrin; tannins (3-21%) such as agrimoniin, ellagitannin and gallotannin.
Energetics and properties:
- Drying and relaxing
- Anti-inflammatory
- Astringent
- Diuretic
- Cholagogue
- Haemostatic
- Vulnerary
- Bitter
Historical and Traditional Folk Uses - Physical/Environmental
- Cuts
- Dysentery
- Cramps
- Urinary bleeding
- Diarrhoea
- Incontinence
- Nervous system
- Urinary tract infections
- Cystitis
- Eye problems
- Liver
- Drying
- Kidneys
- Splinter removal
- Intermittent fever
- Relaxing tissues
- Mucous membrane tone
- Bedwetting
- Gallstones
- Kidney stones
- Respiratory constriction
- Mucus in lungs
- Ulcers
- Colitis
- Tonsilitis
- Acne
- Sluggish digestion
- Uterine congestion
Historical and Traditional Folk Uses - Emotional/Psychological:
- Tension
- Masking pain behind cheerfulness
- Frustration
- Inner resistance
- Feeling of being in the wrong place
- Restlessness
- Soothing
- Inner peace
Historical and Traditional Folk Uses - Energetic/Spiritual:
- Changing the energy of the person using it
- Prevention and reversing of meddling and Interference
- Transition of work environment
- Blocking of low level activity
- Masculine energy
- Air Element
- Protection
- Sleep
- Jupiter
- Tincture: Fresh Leaf (1:2, 95% alcohol); Dried Leaf (1:5, 50% alcohol) 5 drops - 3ml, 3 times daily
- Glycerite: Dried leaf (1:6); 1/4 - 1 tsp. 3 times a day
- Infusion: 4-8 ounces, 1-4 times a day
- Powder or Capsules: 1g, 3 times per day, (or up to 4 times under therapist instruction only)
- Flower Remedy: as directed
- Homeopathy: as directed
Cautions and Contraindications:
Health conditions: Avoid if constipated. Not suitable in pregnancy or if breastfeeding. Agrimony might lower blood sugar levels. People with diabetes should monitor their blood glucose levels closely. and check with your healthcare provider before starting agrimony. Herbs high in tannins should be avoided by those with a tendency to anaemia as they reduce iron absorption. Those with gallstones should not take unsupervised as it may expel the stone suddenly, resulting in hepatic duct blockage. Agrimony may effect Hypertension and Hypotension so speak with a practitioner about your personal circumstance. Agrimony thins the blood due to the presence of coumarins so speak with a practitioner about your personal circumstance if you have any condition of the cardiovascular system.
Surgery: Agrimony might affect blood sugar levels, so there is a concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using agrimony at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Moderate or Severe Medication Interactions: - This list is not exhaustive:
Blood thinning medication, diabetic medications, and blood pressure medications can be effected by Agrimony.
| Moderate Acarbose , also known as (Glucobay, Prandase, Precose) |
| Moderate Acetohexamide , also known as (Dymelor) |
| Moderate Albiglutide , also known as (Tanzeum) |
| Moderate Alogliptin , also known as (Nesina) |
| Moderate Alogliptin, Metformin , also known as (Kazano) |
| Moderate Alogliptin, Pioglitazone , also known as (Oseni) |
| Moderate Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor , also known as (Glyxambi) |
| Moderate Canagliflozin , also known as (Invokana) |
| Moderate Canagliflozin, Metformin , also known as (Invokamet) |
| Moderate Canagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride , also known as (Invokamet XR) |
| Moderate Chlorpropamide , also known as (Chlorpropam, Diabinese) |
| Moderate Dapagliflozin , also known as (Farxiga) |
| Moderate Dapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride , also known as (Qternmet XR) |
| Moderate Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Metformin , also known as (Xigduo XR) |
| Moderate Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride , also known as (Qtern) |
| Moderate Dasiglucagon Hydrochloride , also known as (Zegalogue) |
| Moderate Dulaglutide , also known as (Trulicity) |
| Moderate Empagliflozin , also known as (Jardiance) |
| Moderate Empagliflozin, Linagliptin, Metformin Hydrochloride , also known as (Trijardy XR) |
| Moderate Empagliflozin, Metformin , also known as (Synjardy) |
| Moderate Empagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride , also known as (Synjardy XR) |
| Moderate Ertugliflozin , also known as (Steglatro) |
| Moderate Ertugliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride , also known as (Segluromet) |
| Moderate Exenatide , also known as (Bydureon, Byetta) |
| Moderate Exenatide Synthetic , also known as (Bydureon BCISE) |
| Moderate Gliclazide , also known as (Diamicron) |
| Moderate Glimepiride , also known as (Amaryl) |
| Moderate Glipizide , also known as (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL) |
| Moderate Glipizide, Metformin , also known as (Metaglip) |
| Moderate Glucagon , also known as (Baqsimi, Glucagon) |
| Moderate Glucose , also known as (IV Glucose) |
| Moderate Glyburide , also known as (Albert Glyburide, Diabeta, Glycron, Glynase, Glynase PresTab, Micronase, Micronized) |
| Moderate Glyburide, Metformin , also known as (Glucovance) |
| Moderate Inhaled Insulin , also known as (Exubera) |
| Moderate Insulin , also known as (NovoRapid Insulin) |
| Moderate Insulin Aspart , also known as (Fiasp) |
| Moderate Insulin Aspart, Insulin Degludec , also known as (Ryzodeg 70/30) |
| Moderate Insulin (bovine) , also known as (Hypurin Bovine Neutral) |
| Moderate Insulin Degludec , also known as (Tresiba) |
| Moderate Insulin Degludec, Liraglutide , also known as (Xultophy 100/3.6) |
| Moderate Insulin Determir , also known as (Levemir) |
| Moderate Insulin Glargine , also known as (Basaglar, Lusduna, Semglee) |
| Moderate Insulin Glargine, Lixisenatide , also known as (Soliqua 100/33) |
| Moderate Insulin Glargine (rdna) , also known as (Lantus) |
| Moderate Insulin Glargine Recombinant , also known as (Toujeo Solostar) |
| Moderate Insulin Glulisine (rdna) , also known as (Apidra) |
| Moderate Insulin (human) , also known as (Afrezza, Novolin 70/30, Novolin L, Novolin N, Novolin R) |
| Moderate Insulin Human, Sodium Chloride , also known as (Myxredlin) |
| Moderate Insulin Lispro , also known as (Admelog, Admelog Solostar) |
| Moderate Insulin Lispro-aabc , also known as (Lyumjev) |
| Moderate Insulin Lispro Recombinant , also known as (Humalog Kwikpen) |
| Moderate Insulin (pork) , also known as (Hypurin Porcine Neutral, Lente Iletin II, NPH Iletin, NPH Iletin II, Pork Actrapid, Regular Iletin, Regular Iletin II) |
| Moderate Insulin (rdna) , also known as (Actrapid, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humulin 50/50, Humulin 70/30, Humulin L, Humulin N, Humulin R, Humulin S, Humulin U, Insuman Rapid, NovoLog, Novolog Mix 70/30, Velosulin) |
| Moderate Linagliptin , also known as (Tradjenta) |
| Moderate Linagliptin, Metformin Hydrochloride , also known as (Jentadueto XR) |
| Moderate Liraglutide , also known as (Victoza) |
| Moderate Liraglutide Recombinant , also known as (Saxenda) |
| Moderate Lixisenatide , also known as (Adlyxin) |
| Moderate Metformin , also known as (Glucophage, Metformin) |
| Moderate Metformin Hydrochloride , also known as (Riomet ER) |
| Moderate Metformin, Linagliptin , also known as (Jentadueto) |
| Moderate Metformin, Rosiglitazone , also known as (Avandamet) |
| Moderate Metformin, Sitagliptin , also known as (Janumet, Janumet XR) |
| Moderate Metformin Xr , also known as (Glucophage XR) |
| Moderate Miglitol , also known as (Glyset) |
| Moderate Muraglitazar , also known as (Pargluva) |
| Moderate Nateglinide , also known as (Starlix) |
| Moderate Pioglitazone , also known as (Actos) |
| Moderate Pioglitazone, Metformin , also known as (ActoPlus Met) |
| Moderate Pramlintide , also known as (Symlin) |
| Moderate Repaglinide , also known as (GlucoNorm, Prandin) |
| Moderate Rosiglitazone, Glimepiride , also known as (Avandaryl) |
| Moderate Rosiglitazone Maleate , also known as (Avandia) |
| Moderate Saxagliptin , also known as (Onglyza) |
| Moderate Saxagliptin, Metformin Xr , also known as (Kombiglyze) |
| Moderate Semaglutide , also known as (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy) |
| Moderate Simvastatin, Sitagliptin , also known as (Juvisync) |
| Moderate Sitagliptin , also known as (Januvia) |
| Moderate Tirzepatide , also known as (Moujaro) |
| Moderate Tobutamide , also known as (Mobenol) |
| Moderate Tolazamide , also known as (Tolinase) |
| Moderate Tolbutamide , also known as (Orinase) |
| Moderate Troglitazone , also known as (Rezulin) |
| Moderate Vildagliptin , also known as (Galvus) |
This medication list is taken from www.hellopharmacist.com and is provided for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a healthcare professional. It does not reflect all of the possible interactions and instead, intends to give a flavour of the importance of checking with professionals prior to the use of herbal remedies.
If you have a diagnosed health condition or are taking any medications, please speak with a qualified herbalist using the webchat function prior to purchase.
*This information refers to the plant type in general and not any specific product made from or with it. It is based on folk lore and historical, traditional use only and does not contain scientifically proven health claims. It is for historic informative and entertainment purposes only and should not be interpreted as a suggestion that the products can treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness. They are not a substitute for professional, medical advice. Always see your doctor.*
(Sources: “The Modern Herbal Dispensary” - Thomas Easley and Steven Horne, “The New Holistic Herbal” - David Hoffman, "Healing Herbs" - Neals Yard Remedies, Indigo Herbs, "Cunningham's Encyclopedia" - Scott Cunningam, sungodmedicinals.com, hellopharmacist.com)
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