Agrimony

Other names: Agrimonia Eupatoria, Church Steeples, Herbe-de-Saint-Guillaume, The des Bois

Used in spells for clairvoyance, divination and meditation, Agrimony was considered in the Middle Ages a magic herb, able to induce a heavy sleep when placed under a man’s head. Native to the Northern Hemisphere, Agrimony can easily be spotted by its yellow flowers borne on a singular stem. Part of the Rosaceae family, Agrimony has tonic, astringent properties due to the tannins contained and is a stimulant of the appetite due to the bitter substance content. Anglo Saxons used Agrimony to heal wounds and snake bites, to ease skin redness and decrease inflammation. Indians and Canadians used Agrimony to decrease fever in viral disease.

Used successfully in liver disease and jaundice, Agrimony was recommended for upset stomach, diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. However, Agrimony consumption must be avoided in cases of  gastric ulcer. In hepatic conditions, Agrimony has a milder action compared to celandine, but yet has a remarkable decongestant effect, promoting liver regeneration.  Other Agrimony uses  include prostate hypertrophy, diabetes, gallbladder disorders, bleeding, fluid retention and cancer.

In Romanian popular medicine, Agrimony is a remedy for tuberculosis and just a cup of Agrimony tea drank 3 times a day is said to heal pulmonary emphysema. For rheumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis and gout, but also in colds and flu, baths with Agrimony decoction ( a handful of the plant in 4 liters of boiling water, filtered and added to the bath water) are an excellent cure.