Agrimony

Agrimonia eupatoria

Family: Rosaceae Part used: Aerial parts (leaves, stems, flowers)

Key Compounds

• Agrimoniin
• Tannins
• Luteolin
• Apigenin
• Quercetin
• Kaempferol
• Rutin
• Ursolic acid
• Palmitic acid
• Chlorogenic acid
• Caffeic acid
• Coumarins

Traditional Use

• Digestive astringent — primary application in European herbalism for diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, and irritable bowel syndrome with loose stools; the tannin content (agrimoniin and condensed tannins) tightens mucous membranes of the gut, reduces irritation, and has mild antimicrobial activity against gut pathogens; German Commission E approved for mild, non-specific diarrhoea and gastroenteritis
• Sore throat and mouth ulcers — traditional use as a gargle for pharyngitis and mouth ulcers; the astringent tannins coat and protect inflamed mucous membranes; luteolin and apigenin provide anti-inflammatory action; the combination of astringency and anti-inflammatory activity is particularly suited to throat inflammation; used as a gargle 3–4 times daily in strong infusion
• Urinary tract — traditional European use for urinary tract inflammation and mild cystitis symptoms; the tannins provide astringent and mildly antimicrobial activity in the urinary tract; combined with diuretic herbs (goldenrod, cleavers) for urinary support protocols; German Commission E notes potential for urinary tract inflammation as a secondary indication
• Wound healing (topical) — traditional wound herb; the hooked seeds that cling to clothing are the dispersal mechanism; the herb was used as a styptic (stops bleeding) and wound astringent; tannins promote wound closure and provide antimicrobial activity; applied as strong infusion wash or fresh herb poultice to minor wounds
• Liver and gallbladder — traditional European use for biliary complaints; bitter compounds (agrimonolide, etc.) stimulate bile production; used in combination liver tonic preparations; the application is traditional rather than clinically well-documented

The species name honours Mithridates VI Eupator, king of Pontus in the first century BCE.

Mithridates was so afraid of being poisoned that he consumed small amounts of every known poison daily, building immunity. When he tried to commit suicide by poison after his final military defeat, it didn’t work. He had to ask his bodyguard to stab him. The practice of deliberate small-dose immunisation is now called mithridatism, after him.

His court pharmacologists compiled one of the ancient world’s most comprehensive antidote formulas. His name was attached to many plants used in medicine. Agrimony is one of them. The application for digestive and urinary complaints has been documented continuously from his era.

Meet the plant

A perennial of hedgebanks and dry grassland, growing to 60–120 cm. Pinnate leaves with alternating large and small leaflets. Small yellow five-petalled flowers in a long spike. Seed pods covered in hooked bristles that cling to everything that passes — clothing, fur, hair.

The astringent mechanism

Agrimoniin is an ellagitannin — a polymerised gallic acid compound — which provides the primary astringent effect. Tannins bind surface proteins on mucous membranes, tightening the tissue, reducing permeability and inflammation, and providing a mild antimicrobial surface.

This mechanism applies wherever mucous membranes are irritated:

• In the gut: diarrhoea from inflamed mucosa, gastroenteritis
• In the throat: pharyngitis, mouth ulcers
• In wounds: styptic action, surface antimicrobial

The tannin content is moderate (4–10% dry weight) — effective for gentle astringency without the harsh drying effect of high-tannin preparations like oak bark. Luteolin and apigenin add flavonoid anti-inflammatory activity; ursolic acid adds triterpenoid anti-inflammatory support.

German Commission E approved agrimony aerial parts for mild, non-specific diarrhoea and for oral and pharyngeal mucosa inflammation.

What people actually do with it

Infusion for diarrhoea: 1–2 teaspoons dried aerial parts per cup, steeped 15 minutes. 3 cups daily, between meals. The tannin extraction improves with longer steep time. Continue until stools normalise.

Gargle for sore throat: Steep 2–3 teaspoons in half a cup of boiling water for 15 minutes, let cool to warm, gargle for 30 seconds and expectorate. 3–4 times daily. Do not swallow the full gargle volume (concentrated tannins may cause constipation).

Wound wash: Strong infusion (double concentration) applied as a rinse or compress to minor wounds. Traditional styptic application for slow-bleeding minor cuts.

Tincture: 2–4 mL in water, 3 times daily. For digestive applications, take before or between meals.

Could you grow this yourself?

Yes — agrimony grows in any well-drained garden soil in full sun to partial shade. It is not aggressive and self-seeds modestly. The hooked seeds can spread into lawns, so harvesting before seed set is sensible. Harvest the aerial parts in summer when in flower.

Agrimony (アグリモニー) in Japan

Japanese traditional medicine has limited formal use of A. eupatoria specifically — the plant is not a primary kampo herb. Japan has native Agrimonia pilosa (ヒメキンミズヒキ), which is used in some Asian traditional medicine contexts with similar astringent applications.

Modern Japanese use of アグリモニー follows the Western herbal supplement pattern, available through specialist herb suppliers and health food stores. The Bach Flower Remedy association (agrimony for ‘hidden worries behind a cheerful face’) is more familiar to Japanese consumers than the herbal medicine applications, given the popularity of Bach Flower Remedies in Japan.

Things you’re probably wondering

Is the Bach Flower Remedy agrimony the same as the herb? The plant is the same; the applications are unrelated. The Bach Flower Remedy uses a preparation assigned to an emotional archetype. The herbal tradition uses the aerial parts as an astringent for digestive and throat conditions. The two traditions coexist without interaction.

Why are the tannins useful but not too drying? Agrimony’s tannin content (4–10%) is moderate. Oak bark (15–20% tannins) or witch hazel (10–15%) are stronger astringents. Agrimony is appropriate for gentle astringent applications where you want to reduce irritation without creating excessive dryness. For severe diarrhoea, the gentler astringency may need to be combined with other treatments.

Botanical details

The full compound list

See Also

• Raspberry Leaf — Rosaceae family astringent; overlapping tannin-based applications for digestive and reproductive use
• Goldenrod — urinary anti-inflammatory; complementary for urinary tract conditions
• Meadowsweet — Rosaceae digestive herb; anti-inflammatory mechanism complements agrimony’s astringent mechanism

References

• Blumenthal, M. et al. (2000). Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. American Botanical Council. (German Commission E agrimony monograph)
• Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press.
• Grieve, M. (1931). A Modern Herbal. Dover. (Historical uses and etymology)
• Appian. Roman History: The Mithridatic Wars. (Source for Mithridates death narrative)