by Denise Calaman

Created on: December 20, 2011   Last Updated: December 21, 2011

Agrimony or agrimonia refers to a group of perennial plants belonging to the Rosaceae family. Some common names for agrimony are sticklewort, church steeples, and cocklebur. Agrimony has a unique reputation in worldwide folklore; years ago it was commonly believed that making a wreath of agrimony flowers and placing it on a person’s head or placing a bouquet of agrimony flowers under one’s pillow will induce a deep sleep until the flowers are removed. 

In nature agrimony flowers grow on stalks that grow two to three feet tall. The tiny flowers grow in clusters lining each stalk. They range in color from pale yellow (almost white) to a deep yellow color. The flowers are pollinated by pollinating insects and serve as food for moths and butterflies.

Different types of agrimony are indigenous to temperature regions of the Northern Hempishere throughout the world. In North America agrimony grows from southern Canada southward throughout much of the United States. North American varieties include tall hairy agrimony, incised agrimony, smallfruit agrimony, harvestslice agrimony, soft beaked agrimony and roadside agrimony.  One type of agrimony, common agrimony, can be found growing south of the equator in Africa. Agrimony plants can be found growing near hedge banks, fields and meadows, thickets and vacant lots. 

Along with its reputation for inducing a deep sleep, agrimony folklore states that agrimony has other uses as well. In witchcraft, agrimony may be used for protection against spells and it may be used to send spells or hexes back to their original sender. Agrimony will also banish negative energy and spirits.   

Agrimony used for medicinal purposes dates back to the ancient Egyptians. It was a common herbal remedy in medieval times. Long ago agrimony was used for eye ailments, digestive problems, coughs, sore throats and for healing wounds.  The plant was also used on medieval battlefields to staunch bleeding.

Today agrimony is still used medicinally by those who prefer a natural approach to medicine. It is commonly used for ulcers, wounds, sore throats, urinary tract illnesses and digestive issues. Current research is being done suggesting that agrimony may be beneficial in inhibiting tumor growth and it may be useful against bacterial and viral infections. It is also being used in diabetes research.

Although this flower has its place in folklore, medicine naturalists have proved for a long time that it does in fact cure many ailments and the amount of current research being done shows that it may continue to be used in modern medicine to combat some of the world’s most deadly diseases and medical conditions. 

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