by Tenebris

Created on: December 20, 2011

Common agrimony is a deciduous perennial with jagged, dark green pinnate leaves, a gently aromatic scent, and spikes of small yellow flowers which bloom in summer and early autumn. The flowers also have a stronger scent reminiscent of apricots. Both the leaves and the flowers are sometimes dried and used in herbal teas.

The name "agrimony" comes from the Greek "argemone", meaning healing to the eyes. Its Latin taxonomic name, Agrimonia eupatoria, is named for Mithridates IV of Pontus, also called Eupator Dionysius. While his ruling name originally meant "beloved of Mithra", the term "mithradite" has become synonymous with broad-spectrum antidotes against poisoning. Such was Mithridates' skill with antidotes that he was said to be immune to all poisons, even to the point of being unable to poison himself when he stood defeated and in danger of being captured by the Romans. Curiously, agrimony is not actually an ingredient in the version of mithradite recorded by Aulus Cornelius Celsus in his "De Medicina".

By Chaucer's time, agrimony already had a reputation as a cureall. From warts to bad backs to snakebite: agrimony was good for them all. It is still used in France as a topical application for sprains and bruises, and some use the tea to bring down fevers.

In medieval folklore, agrimony could ward off witchcraft; and a sprig of agrimony under one's pillow could also give a peaceful night's sleep. Post-Renaissance herbal lore believed it to be especially good for arquebus wounds, probably following the old Anglo-Saxon use of agrimony for wounds. Country lore holds it to be a purifier of the blood and a remedy for internal haemorrhage. At least one herbal also cites agrimony, boiled in milk, as a cure for male impotence.

Modern herbals cite common agrimony as a mild astringent and general tonic, with specific application to coughs, intestinal problems, mild intestinal haemorrhaging, and athlete's foot. It is also often prescribed as a tonic for the liver, usually in the context of promoting good digestion, and has been said to cure jaundice.

For internal problems, agrimony is usually drunk as a tisane, but may also be gargled to ease a sore throat or cough. For bruises and treating athlete's foot, agrimony is made into a salve. The two active ingredients in agrimony are tannin and a volatile oil which can be distilled from it.

Agrimony can also be used as a dye. The plant yields a pale yellow dye, which grows darker later in the year. All parts of the plant can be used in making the dye.

Common agrimony is also known as sticklewort, stickwart, cockeburr, or church steeples. It can be found in most parts of England and in Scottish southern lowlands.

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