What is Agrimony?

Agrimony is a plant that has been a staple in medicinal herb gardens since Roman times and has been used to cure many types of internal and external health problems. The plant has feathery leaves and spikes of yellow flowers. Stems, roots, and leaves of this plant are all used in home herbal remedies, and the fragrant roots are often used as a flavoring for teas and other beverages.

As an external preparation, a compress of agrimony leaves makes a mild astringent wash that can heal bruises, contusions, pimples, and skin ulcers. To make a compress, and herbalist should soak one part dried flowers and leaves in two parts boiling water. After the liquid has cooled, a cloth can be dipped in the liquid and held to the affected area for 15 to 30 minutes. This same liquid, strained, can be used as a gargle to ease a sore throat and to freshen the breath. A similar infusion, drunk as a tea, can be made with fresh agrimony flowers steeped in warm water for an entire day.

Internally, agrimony can help cure jaundice, improve liver function, ease constipation, and serve as a diuretic for those who retain water. The herbal remedy can be drunk as a tea, a tonic, or a concentrated decoction. A tea may be made as described for the herbal compress. To make a decoction, an herbalist can boil one part dried leaves and roots to three parts water. The mixture should continue boiling until thickened and the liquid is reduced by two-thirds; the herbs should then be strained from the liquid.

Homeopathic medicine prescribes small amounts of herbal remedies based on the physical, mental, and emotional symptoms of the patient. The use of agrimony is indicated in people with outwardly cheerful behavior who suffer from depression, irritability, and anxiety. Some patients may not recognize the signs of depression in themselves, and the emotional problems may materialize as skin eruptions, migraine headaches, tension, and stomach aches. These patients may also have trouble calming themselves and becoming relaxed enough to sleep at night.

Herbalists often prescribe an agrimony decoction of five drops in a warm or cold beverage when used for depression and nervousness. A daily tea of agrimony is enjoyed by those with stomach problems, especially if taken after a meal. Citrus beverages can damage the health benefits of some remedies, so it is best to avoid those. When taken as directed, the home herbal medicine will not cause any unpleasant side effects.