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Agrimony
Disclaimer: This data is meant for informational purposes only and is not meant to prescribe or treat specific problems. As with any herb or medication, please consult your Doctor of Naturopath or your Medical Doctor before trying anything new.
"Agrimony"
"Agrimonia eupatoria"
This herb is mainly known as a liver herb, due to it's Hepatic properties. It also contains mild Tonic, Astringent, and Diuretic properties.
Use of this herb is known to affect the liver, stomach and the intestines.
Normal methods of preparation is an infusion, using the leaves & stems. Decoctions (roots & leaves), Tinctures, Fluid Extracts, & Powdered Capsules can also be used.
The infusion of the leaves of this plant is a traditional treatment for Jaundice and other liver complaints. Also, a decoction of the roots and leaves has been used to treat acne & skin inflammations, and as a stomach tonic.
This herb has also been used as a fomentation applied to insect bites, wounds, & athletes feet.
Common Agrimony grows in woodland clearings, in dry meadows, and in pastures. It likes to grow on soil rich in lime. The erect stem grows from rhizomes and is usually covered in short and long hairs. The flowers have five petals, are a beautiful buttercup yellow, and usually bloom from June until September.
Agrimony belongs to the family of Rosaceae, and is more commonly known by some as "Church Steeples". The flowers are slightly honey scented and were once used in the making of mead.
Agrimony can grow up to four feet tall, and makes a beautiful display herb. And of course the birds and bees love it too!
To grow Agrimony, sow seeds in late winter or early spring in well drained soil.
Agrimony was regarded as a "heal-all" herb to the Anglo-Saxons. It was believed bysome to have magical powers they thought so much of it. It's name is believed to come from a corruption of the Greek "Argemone", which was used by Dioscorides to describe plants that had eye heling
properties.
Agrimony yeilds a yellow dye.
The leaves of agrimony when made into a skin lotion or salve or poultice is said to have skin healing properties, due to its content of tannins.
Agrimony Eye Wash
1 Cup Agrimony
1 Pint of Freshly Boiled Water
Steep Agrimony in water for 7 minutes. Strain off. Allow liquid to cool. Use at room temperature as an eye wash to revive tired eyes.
Agrimony Cleansing Milk
3/4 Cup Creamy Milk
3 Tablespoons Chopped Agrimony
Heat the above ingredients together over a double boiler for 20 minutes, being sure not to get the milk too hot. Remove from heat and let sit for 1 hour. Strain off and pour liquid into a sterilized jar. Keep refrigerated up to one week.
To use: Apply to skin with a cotton ball. Leave on for 5 minutes. Remove with a soft tissue or cloth.
Agrimony Herbal Hair Rinse
1/2 Cup Agrimony
1/4 Cup Nettles
1/8 Cup Chamomile
3 Drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
1 Quart Freshly Boiled Water
Steep the first three ingredients in the water for 10 minutes. Strain off. Add Tea Tree Oil and stir. Allow to cool.
Use this rinse after shampooing for scalp problems & dandruff.
*If you have never used any of these herbs before, be sure to do a skin test to be sure your skin isn't sensitive or allergic to them.
-- Unknown
The more one gardens, the more one learns; And the more one learns, the more one realizes how little one knows.
- Vita Sackville-West
Spring-planted cauliflower heads should be covered or blanched when 2 inches in diameter to exclude light and produce pure white heads. To blanch tie the outer leaves up and over the developing head.
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