Agrimony -a Country Herb.

Notes from a Lancashire Countryman

In the not to distant past, the common agrimony was commonly planted as a medicinal herb in
cottage gardens, and sought after in the countryside for the same purpose. In those days the
services of a doctor or physician was beyond the means of all but the rich and the privileged few,
thus the cottage garden and indeed, the countryside in general was the medicine chest of the
masses. Agrimony, Agrimonia eupatoria featured prominently on the list of those seeking medicinal
herbs.
Unlike today when the necessity of seeking out such plants has all but diminished, how many could
recognise this or many other species, while out and about in the country side. In the past one would
be taught and a young age to instantly recognize those plants that are beneficial And indeed, those
that were not so see my hub -Beautiful but are they deadly ? . In the case of agrimony they would be
taught to seek out the following features.
The tall stems-The tall erect stem is cylindrical appearing slightly rough which rises to 1-4 feet tall.30-120cm larger
specimens do occur which may have a few branches adorning the stem, but in the main this species
lacks branches. The stem is hairy.
They would be taught to recognise the foliage which on this plant are numerous with a salient
outline. They vary in size. Those near the ground often attain the length of 7-8 inches 14-16cm, while
those higher up the stem are reduced to about three inches 6cm. The whole leaf is divided along the
midrib into leaflets botanist refer to this type of leaf as being pinnate. Although similar in structure
the upper leaves have fewer leaflets than the lower ones, and they tend to be less cut into, thus
having a simpler outline.
On the lower leaves there are pairs of larger leaflets terminating in a single one. In between these
large lateral leaflets are smaller ones in the manner of those of the meadowsweet.
The main leaflets
The main leaflets of the agrimony increase in size towards the apex of the leaf where they tend to be
one to one and half inches long.3-4 cm. They are toothed downy above and even more so beneath.
The veins on the leaflets are a dominant feature.
Continuing their education of herb recognition one would then be taught to recognise the flowers.
On this species they are small but numerous.Clustered together on slender terminal spikes, which
gave rise to one of the plants country titles of church steeples. At the base of each flower which is
situated stalk-less on the spike is a small bract.This bract is cut into three acute segments. The
flowers are three quarters of an inch wide 1.4cm. the salient feature of the flower is the five egg
shaped petals which are relatively narrow in comparison to their length. They are slightly notched at
the end and of a bright yellow colour.
The flowers open to face the sunlight until the petals have withered, then the head takes on a woody
texture and bows away from the light, as if embarrassed to have lost its beauty. The seed vessels

which succeed the flowers demise become bristly and eventually burr like in form, which cling to
clothing and fur as a means of dispersal. This feature gives rise to other country titles for the plant
such as cockle-burr, sticklewort or simply stick wort..
The education would continue by learning to recognise the scent of the flowers which give off a
refreshing smell of apricot scent. The slightly reddish root also has a scent when dug up in the
spring. the leaves to are slightly aromatic.
Those seeking the plant would know they may come upon it in grassland, hedgerow, meadow land,
by road sides and on waste land. Once the art of recognition had been attained one would then need
to know which part of the plant to use in herbal preparations along with the time of year it would
need to be collected. In the case of agrimony this would be the dried aerial parts that were employed
which would be harvested just before or during the flowering period which commences in June and
continues until September.
Some of the catalogue delivery Virtues of Agrimony.
Agrimony is considered to astringent ,thus it is not to be used with any one suffering from
constipation. Conversely it is used to combat diarrhoea. It has tonic and diuretic properties. It is also
reputed to be anti-viral. The foliage was once incorporated into herbal pillows.
An infusion made from 1-2 tea spoons per cup of water is drank three times per day. It can also be
used as a diuretic and to treat urinary and kidney infections. It is a general drink to help with
jaundice and liver ailments, ulcers and digestive problems.
A fomentation for drawing out stings and thorns was once used regularly. Many commercial
products may be purchased from health shops and drug stores. Home preparations are now limited
the most popular being an infusion used as a gargle to counteract the symptoms of throat infections.
two tea spoons of the dried herb is infused with 250ml of boiling water. This is left to infuse for ten
minutes. Gargle several times a day.
The Anglo Saxons called the plant garclive and used it as a wound herb.
http://hubpages.com/education/INTRODUCING-THE-AGRIMONY-A-COUNTRY-HERB