English (common) agrimony = A. eupatoria, fragrant agrimony = A. procera Botanical name Agrimonia eupatoria L., A. procera Wallr. Bharmaceutical name Agrimoniae herba Part dried aerial parts Mandarin A. eupatoria is not used in Chinese medicine; xiān hč căo (仙鹤草) is the aerial parts of A. pilosa Ledeb. Family Rosaceae
A hardy perennial, up to 1 m tall. Leaves are dark green above and grayish and downy below, with basal leaves in a rosette and smaller leaves up the stem. Yellow flowers in terminal spikes. Both flowers and leaves have a faint characteristic lemony scent when crushed. Fruits are small clinging burrs, which can stick to clothing. Native to the Northern hemisphere, its natural habitat is woods and fields.
Temperature neutral Tastes sour-astringent, sl. bitter Organs IN , ST, SP, LR, GB, KI , BL
Felter and Lloyd2 described the use of the whole plant of Agrimonia eupatoria,and Ellingwood uses the whole plant of A. striata or A. gryposepala3 referred to the use of the pulverized leaves. Moore4.
Traditional use in China xīan hč căo, the aerial parts of A. pilosa Ledeb., is used to1: • reduce bleeding in epistaxis, hemoptysis, bleeding gums, hematemesis, melena, hematuria, and abnormal uterine bleeding • reduce diarrhea • kill parasites in malaria, and topically for trichomonasvaginitis
Traditional use in the West Culpeper (1651)5
Liver • for those whose livers are annoyed either by heat or bycold • the liver forms the blood, the blood nourishes the body,and agrimony strengthens the liver • opens and cleanses the liver (and) treats jaundice
Intestines very beneficial to the bowels, healing all inward wounds; for stopping bloody diarrhea
Kidneys and bladder for treating those (people) with foul, troubled, or bloody urine; for treating gout
Other • treats tertian or quartan agues (malaria) • (topically) for sores and ulcers
Felter and Lloyd (1898)2
Mucous membranes a mild tonic, alterative, and astringent; reduces excess mucous (secretion) and gives tone to mucous membranes
Urinary system for chronic genito-urinary catarrhalstates; for muddy, ill-smelling urine and dirty-looking skin;for renal congestion; for cystitis, nephritis; for cough with dribbling or expulsion of urine; for urinary gravel Specific for deep-seated and colicky pain in the lumbar region with uneasy sensations reaching from the kidneys tothe hips and umbilicus (renal colic).
Comparison with a similar herb
Agrimonia and Potentillaerecta Similarities Both are astringent, antihemorrhagic, bitter herbs, that can treat diarrhea, colitis, and intestinal bleeding.
Differences Potentilla erecta • has a higher tannin content (15-20%) than Agrimonia (3-13%), and is a stronger astringent and antihemorrhagic than Agrimonia • is generally used short-term, for more severe acute casesof diarrhea or bleeding, while Agrimonia is used longerterm for children’s diarrhea, and for milder or more chronic cases of diarrhea and intestinal bleeding • is more effective than Agrimonia for treating bleeding hemorrhoids or prolapsed anus
Agrimonia In contrast to Potentilla, Agrimonia is also used as : • mild astringent and mucous membrane tonic for: - ‘leaky-gut syndrome’ and malabsorption - mucous colitis - urinary tract catarrh• mild bitter tonic for digestive weakness • mild bitter tonic for hepatic weakness
Constituents and pharmacology
Types of constituents 6 • tannins (3-13% in A. eupatoria) • flavonoids rutin, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, luteolin, apigenin(ca. 1.9%) mainly hyperoside (0.37%), also • triterpenoids ursolic acid (0.6%) • phenylpropanoids including chlorogenic, caffeic, and ellagic acids(phenolic acids) • minerals (ca. 7% in A. eupatoria) with relatively high silica content
Actions supported by research The following actions have been reported for Agrimonia plant material or for its isolated constituents: antiviral (to hepatitis B)7 , anti-inflammatory8, antioxidant8, hepatoprotective9, cholagogic6, uricosuric6, for cutaneous6, antihyperglycemic10, antiplatelet11, and antitumor12
Actions linked to a constituent • anti-inflammatory polyphenols (suggested)13 • hepatoprotective luteolin (flavonoid)14, agrimonolide (ellagic acid glycoside = an isocoumarin)9 • antitumor agrimoniin (tannin)12
Dose and dispensing
Dried herb 2-4 g of dried herb, as powder or as infusion, three times per day (BHP)
Tincture 2-5 ml of 1:5 tincture in 25% alcohol, three times per day (JR).
Liquid extract 1-3 ml of 1:1 liquid extract in 25% alcohol, three times per day (BHC2)
Initial dose Can start at the standard dose (JR).
Duration No restriction (JR).
Cautions
General contraindications None known (BHC2). Please read discussion on safety concerns with tannin-containing herbs in Potentilla chapter in ‘Combining’16 Chinese contraindications A. eupatoria is not used in Chinesenmedicine. Pregnancy and lactation No data available (JR). Side effects None known (BHC2). Overdose No data available (JR). Drug interactions None reported (Comm. E)17.
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