Agrimony Herb

Agrimonia eupatoria common name: agrimony herb, church steeples, cocklebur, liverwort, stickwort
Agrimony herb is a nontoxic astringent or binding herb. It is one of the best known wound healing herbs and can be useful for cough, diarrhea and relaxing the bowels. It can also stimulate the bodies immune system to produce B cells which is a type of white blood cell. This makes this herb useful in certain kinds of cancer such as chronic leukemia, multiple myeloma, and ovarian cancer.

Additional uses include mouthwash and gargle and when mixed in lotions is a good topical lotion for uclers and small sores.

The ancient Greeks used it quite extensively and called it a "heal all" plant as it was used for many different purposes.

It may sound a bit odd that this herb can relax the bowels and treat diarrhea. What you have to realize is that diarrhea is a cyclic spasming condition, where the body is trying to rid itself of something. Relaxing the bowels stops the spasming.

All of the above ground parts of the plant can be used. The leaves are paired and grow along a 1-2 foot stem.It is commonly seen in woods and fields in the US, Canada and Europe. The flowers are yellow and after the petals fall off a burr is left. If you brush up against the plant, the burrs may adhere to your clothing.

Agrimony is generally used in teas or tinctures. The English used to drink it as a tea to "purify the blood" which really doesn't happen but was a common term for people to use to try and explain medicinal results from herbs.

Benefits Of Agrimony Herb

• Bleeding. It encourages clot formation and can also prevent bacteria from entering a wound.
• Diabetes. Type II diabetics may benefit from lowered blood sugars and less thirst.
• Diarrhea. Effective against diarrhea.
• Liver disorders. Promotes assimilation of food, treats jaundice.
• Parasitic infections. Contains agrimophol causing parasites to lose their hold on the intestines. Also kills E.coli, Staph, and typhoid.

Special Considerations

Since agrimony treats diarrhea, you must be careful to NOT use it if you have constipation. If you mix agrimony with psyllium (metamucil) you may cause an intestinal blockage. There are a number of conditions where this herb should not be used due to the effects on the immune system. These include: rheumatoid arthritis, myasthenia gravis, Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, lupus, Sjogren's syndrome or any other autoimmune disease. If you are in doubt, please discuss with your doctor as everyone's needs are different.

Do not use if pregnant! This is too astringent and may adversely affect the fetus.

Read about more at the herb dictionary online.

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