Agrimony
Botanical Name: Agrimonia eupatoria
Family: Rosaceae
Other Names: Catch-as-catch-can, church steeples, fur-burr, little cockbur, liverwort, salt and pepper, sticklewort, tea plant
Habitat: Roadsides, riverbanks, hedges, verges, woods
Description: Perennial that grows up to 250-100cm/20-40in high. Hairy, erect stems Mid green leaves with serrated edges and grow in alternate large and small pairs along dark green slender stem. Small bright yellow five petals flowers on a tapering spike and are apricot scented. June – September
Native to: British Isles, Europe, North America, Asia
Part Used: Aerial parts
Cultivation: Grows best in well-drained soil but does not like an open site.
Propagation: Collect seeds from dried stalk towards end of the year and plant in ordinary dry soil
Sow seeds between late winter and early spring or late summer and early autumn
Prefers full sun but will tolerate shade
Harvesting: The stem, flowers and leaves can be connected when the plant is in flower in June. The roots should be collected early autumn.
Preserving: Dry in the shade at temperature no higher than 40C
Actions: Astringent, cholagogue, diuretic, expectorant, tonic, vulnerary
Constituents: Tannins, glycosidal bitters, nicotinic acid, silicic acid, iron, vitamins B & K, essential oil
Combines with: Meadowsweet
Traditional Uses: Snakes bites, dysentery, liver problem, insomnia
Skin: Eyes, acne, insect bites
Circulation, muscle joint: Blood cleanser, rheumatism, arthritis
Digestive: Stomach, liver, kidneys, bladder
Respiratory: Sore throats, dry coughs
Nervous system: Insomnia
Other Notes: The name comes from the Greek "agremone" meaning white speck on the eye
Said to be sacred to the planet Juniper and ruled by Cancer
Pliny the elder described it as “herb of sovereign”
Said to ward of witchcraft
The name church steeples comes from the shape of its flowers
In Guernsey two nine leafed fronds fastened with two pins helped produce dreams of future love
If it be leyd under mann's head, He shall sleepyn as he were dead, He shall never drede ne wakyn, Till for under his head it be takyn
Agrimony – Fragrant
Botanical Name: A procera
Description: Stout, fragrant leaves Flowers pale yellow
Native to: Britain – south of the Thames
Cultivation: Acid soils