Ageless Agrimony

Folklore/Common Names: Common Agrimony, Garclive, Church Steeples, Cockeburr, Sticklewort, Philanthropos, Liverwort

Part Used: Whole arial (above ground) parts of herb

Historical Reference:

The name Agrimony is derived from the Greek Argemone, a word describing plants that had properties which were healing for the eyes. The second part of the name, Eupatoria, refers to an ancient king named Mithridates Eupator, reputedly an acclaimed herbalist in his time - he died in 63 B.C. , so you begin to see just how long ago Agrimony was utilized for its medicinal values. Those values passed the test of time, as you'll soon see.

Of course, at one time there was very little differentiation between medicine and magic. Agrimony was reputed to have magical powers, as we find in an old English Medical manuscript:

'If it be leyd under mann's heed,
He shal sleepyn as he were deed;
He shal never drede ne wakyn
Till fro under his heed it be takyn.'

Agrimony was once sought after for use as a substitute or addition to tea, purely for its delicate flavor and aroma. It was naturally an ingredient in many 'spring tonic' cleansing or blood purifying drinks that were so popular in their time. The French still enjoy a derivative of that as a favorite drink.

Agrimony contains a high concentration of natural tannins, and thus was once recommended for use in dressing leather and leather goods.

Medicinal Use:

*Caution: Use of higher than recommended dosages could lead to constipation and digestive problems.

Those values that passed the test of time? Let's pick up where we left off...as early as 63 B. C. To continue, by the time of the Anglo-Saxons, Agrimony was known as Garclive and was used to heal external wounds, snake bites, and warts. In early medieval Britain, we find reference to a more extreme remedy for internal bleeding suggesting Agrimony be taken with human blood and pounded frogs! Luckily by the 15th Century, it had maintained it's healing properties but lost the gruesome extras, and we find it recommended specifically for wounds caused by hand guns. The French continued this use for most sprains and bruises. By the end of the 16th Century, herbalists were recommending Agrimony for fevers, gout, and rheumatism; and as late as the late 1800's, Agrimony was in use in the United States to treat asthma, coughs, sore throats, diarrhea and digestive disorders, much as it still is today.

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