|
Agrimony
Agrimonia eupatoria
Rosaceae
Citations
Names : Cockle Burr, Stickwort, Church Steeples
Habitat: British Isles, in hedges and fields and by ditches, flowering
in July and August.
Collection : The whole of the plant above ground should be collected
when the flowers are just blooming. It should be dried in the shade and
not above 40 degrees C.
Part Used : Dried aerial parts.
Constituents :
o Tannins, as condensed tannins, up to 8%.
o Coumarins
o Flavonoids, e.g. glucosides of luteolin, apigenin and quercitin,
o Polysaccharides
o Glycosidal bitters
o miscellaneous - nicotinic acid, silicic acid, iron, vitamins B and K,
essential oil.
Actions : Astringent, tonic, bitter, diuretic, vulnerary,
anti-spasmodic, diaphoretic, carminative, Hepatic, cholagogue.
Indications : The combination of astringency and bitter tonic properties
makes Agrimony a valuable remedy. This especially true when an
astringent action on the digestive system is needed, as it will also
contribute a tonic action due to the bitter stimulation of digestive and
liver secretions. It is a specific in childhood diarrhoea. Its
properties give it a role in the treatment of mucous colitis. Agrimony
is the herb of choice in appendicitis. It may be used in indigestion.
There is a long tradition of its use as a spring tonic. It may be used
in urinary incontinence and cystitis. As a gargle it is beneficial in
the relief of sore throats and laryngitis. As an ointment it will aid
the healing of wounds and bruises. The infusion has been used clinically
with some success in cutaneous porphyria. Aqueous extract inhibited
Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro and alcohol extracts have anti-viral
effects against Colombia SK virus in mice.
Priest & Priest tell us that it is a gently stimulating tonic with a
gastro-intestinal emphasis that is suitable for both infants and the
elderly. It influences mucous membranes, promotes assimilation and
restores debilitated conditions. They give the following specific
indications: general alimentary weakness, hepatic weakness, enuresis,
diarrhoea, leucorrhoea, rheumatism & arthritis.
Ellingwood considered it specific for deep soreness or tenderness over
the kidneys. Sharp cutting deep-seated pain, with general distress in
the lumbar region. Inflammation in the urinary system and urinary
incontinence. He recommends it for the following pathologies:
erysipelas, chronic bronchitis and asthma, consumption, excessive mucous
discharges, leucorrhoea, gastritis, colitis, proctitis, ulcerative
stomatitis, dysmenorrhoea, uterine congestion and cystic inflammation.
Kings Dispensatory quotes the following specific indications and uses:
Deep-seated and colicky pain in the lumbar region, with uneasy
sensations reaching from the kidneys to the hips and umbilicus (renal
colic); muddy, ill-smelling urine, and dirty looking skin; especially as
a palliative in phthisis; cystic catarrh; cough, with profuse, thick
secretions, and pain under the lower ribs, extending to the renal
organs; renal congestion; cough, with dribbling or expulsion of urine;
irritation of kidneys or urinary organs, with cough.
Combinations : It is often used with carminatives and hepatics for
digestive problems.
Preparations & Dosage : Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto
l-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for l0-l5
minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
Tincture: take l-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.
The herbalist by David Hoffman, (c)1993 David Hoffman, Hopkins
Technology
|
