Agrimonia: Difference between revisions
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==Medicinal value== |
==Medicinal value== |
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Agrimony has a long history of medicinal use. The English poet [[Michael_Drayton|Michael Drayton]] once hailed it as an "all-heal," and through the ages it did seem to be a [[Panacea]]. The ancient Greeks used agrimony to treat eye ailments, and it was made into brews to cure diarrhea and disorders of the gallbladder, liver, and kidneys. 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."Later, agrimony was prescribed for athlete's foot. |
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Historically, the plants were thought to have [[herbalism|medicinal]] value. Thus in [[floriography]], Agrimony flowers take on a meaning of thankfulness. |
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In the United States and Canada, and late into the 19th century,the plant was prescribed for many of thse illnesses and more: for skin diseases, asthma, coughs, and gynecological complaints, and as a gargling solution for sore throats. |
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[[Bald's Leechbook]] cites Agrimony as a cure for [[male impotence]] - when boiled in milk, it could excite a man who was "insufficiently virile;" when boiled in Welsh beer it would have the opposite effect.<ref> Robert Lacey and Danny Danziger August:''The Year 1000: What Life Was Like at the Turn of the First Millennium'' Little, Brown, 2000 ISBN 0316511579</ref> Agrimony also has astringent properties. Teas made with Agrimony have been prescribed for diarhea and internal bleeding. As a cosmetic it is used for acne and as a hair wash. Agrimony made into a tea helps a mild cough and sore throat. "Singers and speakers have been known to gargle with agrimony to clear and refresh their throats before performances."<ref>Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs.</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 13:40, 16 June 2010
| Agrimony | |
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| Agrimonia eupatoria | |
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| Genus: | Agrimonia |
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About 15 species; see text | |
Agrimony (Agrimonia) 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 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.
- Species
- Agrimonia eupatoria - Common Agrimony (Europe, Asia, Africa)
- Agrimonia gryposepala - Tall Hairy Agrimony (North America)
- Agrimonia incisa - Incised Agrimony (North America)
- Agrimonia coreana - Korean Agrimony (eastern Asia)
- Agrimonia microcarpa - Smallfruit Agrimony (North America)
- Agrimonia nipponica - Japanese Agrimony (eastern Asia)
- Agrimonia parviflora - Harvestlice Agrimony (North America)
- Agrimonia pilosa - Hairy Agrimony (eastern Europe, Asia)
- Agrimonia procera - Fragrant Agrimony (Europe)
- Agrimonia pubescens - Soft Agrimony (North America)
- Agrimonia repens - Short Agrimony (southwest Asia)
- Agrimonia rostellata - Beaked Agrimony (North America)
- Agrimonia striata - Roadside Agrimony (North America)
Medicinal value
Agrimony has a long history of medicinal use. The English poet Michael Drayton once hailed it as an "all-heal," and through the ages it did seem to be a Panacea. The ancient Greeks used agrimony to treat eye ailments, and it was made into brews to cure diarrhea and disorders of the gallbladder, liver, and kidneys. 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."Later, agrimony was prescribed for athlete's foot. In the United States and Canada, and late into the 19th century,the plant was prescribed for many of thse illnesses and more: for skin diseases, asthma, coughs, and gynecological complaints, and as a gargling solution for sore throats.
See also
- Aremonia (Bastard-agrimony, a related genus)
References
- Eriksson, Torsten; Malin S. Hibbs, Anne D. Yoder, Charles F. Delwiche, Michael J. Donoghue (2003). The Phylogeny of Rosoideae (Rosaceae) Based on Sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS) of Nuclear Ribosomal DNA and the TRNL/F Region of Chloroplast DNA. International Journal of Plant Science 164(2):197–211. 2003. (PDF version)
External links
- "Agrimonia" at the Encyclopedia of Life
