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Agrimonia eupatoria
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Subfamily: Rosoideae
Tribe: Sanguisorbeae
Subtribe: Agrimoniinae
Genus: Agrimonia
Tourn. ex L.

About 15 species; see text

Agrimonia, commonly known as agrimony, is a genus of 12–15 species of perennial herbaceous flowering plants in the family Rosaceae, native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with one species also in Africa. The species grow to between 0.5–2 m tall, with interrupted pinnate leaves, and tiny yellow flowers borne on a single (usually unbranched) spike.

Agrimonia species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Grizzled Skipper (recorded on A. eupatoria) and Large Grizzled Skipper.



In the ancient times, it was used for foot baths and tired feet.[1] Agrimony[specify] has a long history of medicinal use. The English poet Michael Drayton once hailed it as an "all-heal" and through the ages it was considered a panacea.[citation needed] The ancient Greeks used agrimony to treat eye ailments, and it was made into brews for diarrhea and disorders of the gallbladder, liver, and kidneys.[citation needed] Anglo-Saxons made a solution from the leaves and seeds for healing wounds; this use continued through the Middle Ages and afterward, in a preparation called eau d'arquebusade, or "musket-shot water". It can be added to tea as a spring tonic.[1] In the traditional Austrian medicine the herb has been used internally as tea for disorders related to the liver and bile, gastrointestinal, and respiratory tract.[2]

Agrimonia has been listed as one of the 38 plants that are used to prepare Bach flower remedies,[3] a kind of alternative medicine promoted for its effect on health. However according to Cancer Research UK, "there is no scientific evidence to prove that flower remedies can control, cure or prevent any type of disease, including cancer".[4]


Although the plant has no idiopathic properties, tradition holds that when placed under a person's head, agrimony will induce a deep sleep that will last until removed.[citation needed]

See also[edit]


  1. ^ a b C. F. Leyel. Compassionate Herbs. Faber and Faber Limited. 
  4. ^ "Flower remedies". Cancer Research UK. Retrieved September 2013. 

External links[edit]