Agrimonia Eupatoria is of the rose family, an herbaceous plant with yellow, slender flowers. It is abundant around hedges and fences in England and was used in the past for dying wool. Agrimony has deep roots in Ancient Greece, when it was primarily used for treating eye ailments. Tribes of the Ancient Anglo-Saxon forests once used Agrimony leaves to treat wounds and stop bleeding. It was used as a sleep aid and for the treatment of menstrual problems in Chinese medicine. Agrimony was also used by Native Americans.
There are several active ingredients in Agrimony, including catechin, thiamine, and quercitrin. Catechin is a water soluble antioxidant and polyphenol. Thiamine, vitamin B1, is essential to the metabolism of carbohydrates. The source of Agrimony’s yellow pigment is quercitrin, an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. Its bitterness is due to a high tannin content; therefore, it works as an astringent, as well.
Tea is amongst the most common methods of using Agrimony. A strong tea is great for soothing coughs and sore throats. A weaker version of the tea, sipped roughly six times per day, treats diarrhea. The stronger tea is also useful as a compress for wounds and skin inflammation, apply several times throughout the day. To make tea, steep about two teaspoons of the leaves, stems, and/or flowers in one liter of hot water for between five to 15 minutes, depending on the strength you are after. Essential oil may be applied externally as the tea and the compress would.
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