What Is It?
The yellow, star-shaped blossoms of Agrimonia eupatoria, an herb found throughout the northern hemisphere, have long been used as a remedy for diarrhea and a host of other ailments. Legend has it, for instance, that the ancient Greeks soothed eye problems with agrimony, and the Anglo-Saxons treated wounds with it as well.
Modern science has found a sensible explanation for the long-time worldwide popularity of this herb: Agrimony contains high concentrations of tannins. These astringent compounds gently tighten and constrict the tissues with which they come into contact.
Because of the tannins, the medicinal uses of agrimony are extensive. When sipped as a tea, for example, agrimony will help control the loose stools of diarrhea. Once cooled, the tea works as a throat gargle to reduce inflammation and relieve sore throat pain. Interestingly,
Germany's prestigious Commission E approves of using the herb for these purposes.
Applied topically in the form of a compress or poultice, agrimony can minimize certain types of skin inflammation, such as inflamed hemorrhoids, oozing wounds and rashes, and varicose veins.
Other health-promoting components in agrimony include flavonoids and vitamin C (both antioxidants) as well as certain volatile oils. These substances are credited in test-tube studies with producing mild antiseptic activity against certain disease-causing bacteria and fungi. In lab animals, extracts of the herb have even shown anti-diabetic actions; unfortunately, there has been little research to explore its effectiveness in humans with diabetes.
