known as Burr marigold. It is said to have originated in North America.
AGRIMONY Agrimonia eupatoria, L.( Dr. A. J. Thut, Guelph, Canada)
The bright yellow star-like flowers are numerous and grow individually from the long, tapering stem. This erect, round, hairy stem reaches a height of 2 ft.
The many pinnate leaves, hairy on both sides, and 5 – 6 in. long, grow alternately, having three to five pairs of lanceolate, toothed leaflets, with intermediate two sizes of smaller leaves. The taste is astringent and slightly bitter.
The roots are woody and the seeds form little burrs, but it is not the generally known troublesome cockleburr. Medicinal Parts: Root, leaves, whole herb. Solvent: Boiling water. Bodily Influence: Mild Astringent, Tonic, Diuretic, Deobstruent. Uses: Agrimony is an old remedy of North American and European aborigines for debility, as it gives tone to the whole system. Useful in bowel complaints, simple diarrhoea and relaxed bowels, chronic mucous diseases, asthma, fevers and colds. In chronic affections of the digestive organs, it seems to expel the evil dispositions of the body, including dropsy and yellow jaundice. It opens the obstructions of the liver, loosens the hardness of the spleen, when applied externally as well, with hot damp packs using Turkish towels. The liver is the builder of blood, and blood the nourishment of the body, and Agrimony strengthens and cleanses the liver.
It is healing to all inward wounds, bruises, pains and other distempers. A decoction taken warm before an incontrollable seizure will remove the spell and in time help to prevent another performance. It will kill trouble-making worms and is useful in bed-wetting. It is cleansing to the blood stream and will assist skin conditions so often complained of these days. As a gargle for sore throat and mouth, it is very serviceable; also for obstructed menstruation. The herb has been recommended for dyspepsia, but is probably only useful in the disorder when carefully combined with other more desirable operating agents. Special note: it should not be used when there is a dryness of secretions. John Hill, M. D., in“ British Herbal”( 1751) states that Agrimony was greatly recommended by the ancients but is very much neglected in present-day practice. John Parkinson, in the“ Theatre of Plants”( 1640), recommended that a decoction of the plant,“ made with wine, is good against the sting and biting of Serpents”.
Country people give it to their cattle when they are troubled with respiratory difficulties. Dose: Adult amount( children less according to age) 1 oz. to 1¼ pints of water simmered down to 1 pint in ½ teacup or larger doses every four hours. Sweeten with honey or pure maple syrup.