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Agrimony
Agrimony
Wed, 12/19/2007 - 10:37 — DawnBlackBotanical Name:
Agrimonia eupatoria
Zones:
6-10
Other Names:
Common Agrimony, Cockleburr, Cocklebur, Stickwort, Church Steeples, Sticklewort, Philanthropos, Ackerkraut, Agrimonia, Funffing, Herbe de Saint-Guillaume, Liverwort, Stickwort, Acrimony, Harvest lice, Aigremoine, Odermennig, Agrimonia, Herba agrimoniae, Agrimoniae herba, Burr Marigold, Garclive
Agrimony is a perennial native to Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa that has naturalized to most of the US and Canada. It grows in open areas, fields and waste places and hedgerows.
Propagation:
Agrimony will grow well throughout most of North America. A perennial herb, it should be sown from seed in winter, or they may be stratified by putting them in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks before spring planting. Agrimony seeds are suitable for Midwinter planting ceremonies.
Agrimony prefers well-drained soil and full to partial sun and tolerates dry spells well.
History and Folklore:
The name Agrimony comes from the Greek Argemone, which means a plant that is healing to the eyes, although Agrimony isn't often used in this capacity. Eupetoria is a reference to a king who died in 63BCE and was renowned for his herbal skill and knowledge.
The Anglo-Saxons called it Garclive and used it to treat wounds and skin blemishes. During Medieval times it was a treatment for internal bleeding, in combination with pounded frogs.
Once this herb was used to aid in detecting witches.
Harvesting & Storage:
Agrimony can be harvested at Midsummer or when the flowers just come into bloom. Cut the whole plant and hang outside to dry. Or pluck the leaves as needed.
Agrimony is an invasive perennial so be sure to cut it before it goes to seed.
Household Use:
This plant works well in a perennial border. It also yields a yellow dye. The later in the season the plant is collected, the darker the dye will be.
This plant also contains a good deal of tannini and may be useful in dressing leather.
Magical Attributes:
Agrimony is masculine in nature and associated with the planet Jupiter, Cancer and the element of air.
Agrimony is useful for spellwork for those who who need to explore their true feelings and to help balance the emotions applied to a situation.
The plant is also used in protection spells, to help build a psychic shield, to reduce the influence of another's negativity and to banishi negative energies and spirits. It is said to reverse harmful spells cast on you, causing them to rebound on the sender. Use in all protective sachets, spells and medicine bags. It is useful also as a banishing smudge or as a wash to cleanse the aura.
It is especially useful in healing magic as it enhances the strength of all healing spells, especially at a distance. You could use it in a rituali bath before beginning, as a wash for your tools, in a smudge or simply decorate your alter with it.
Agrimony can be added to pillows, or placed under the pillow to ensure a deep, dreamless sleep. This is especially useful for those who are too troubled to sleep properly. This is an old traditional use for this herb
as the following rhyme indicates:
'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.'
Healing Attributes:
Agrimony has astringent properties which makes it very useful for drawing out stings and thorns and for acne. Use a fomentation for these problems.
A tonic infusioni, a 1-2 teaspoons per teacup, three times a day(or make it by the jugful, adjusting measurements accordingly, and store it in the fridge to drink cold), can be used as a diuretic and for urinary and kidney infections, for jaundice and general liver ailments, ulcers, diarrhea and general digestive complaints and for excessively heavy menstruation and hemorrhage. Agrimony is also a popular "spring tonic".
The same infusion may also be used as a gargle for throat irritation, especially useful for singers.
A poultice of the leaves may be used for migraines.
Caution
Do not use this herb internally if you are constipated. It will make you worse.
Culinary Use:
Agrimony makes a lovely fragrant tea good hot or iced. Steep 1 teaspoon of dried leaves and flowers in one cup of hot water for 15 minutes. Add honey to taste.
Contains vitamins B3, K, iron and niacin
Practical Kitchen Witchery:
If you're not the gardening type, or you haven't got a yard, you can buy organic agrimony already prepared.