Agrimonia eupatoria L. (Rosaceae)

Abstract

Both Dioscorides and Pliny described this plant as having inverted fruits, so rough and bristly that they adhere to clothes when ripe. The name Agrimonia may have its origin in the Greek ‘agremone’ which refers to plants that supposedly healed cataracts of the eye. It is a folk remedy for asthma, bronchitis, dermatitis, enterorrhagia, enuresis, gastrorrhagia, hematuria, hepatosis, metrorrhagia, neuralgia, neuritis, pharyngitis, rheumatism, tuberculosis and warts. The herb was used by singers and speakers in gargles to clear and improve their voice, and is said to induce sleep if placed under one’s pillow. Unani physicians describe aerial parts, especially flowers, with demulcent, detergent, purgative of dried humours, vasodilator, blood purifier, deobstruent of liver and spleen, diuretic, emmenagogue, galactagogue, and stomachic properties; and use it for the treatment of liver, stomach and pancreatic inflammations, and chronic fevers. In Europe, it is widely used as a mild astringent, both externally and internally, for inflammation of the throat, gastroenteritis, and stomach flu. In Bulgarian phytomedicine, it is used for the treatment of respiratory, gastrointestinal and other inflammatory disorders, and the Anglo-Saxon medical texts from the 10th century mention the plant to treat bacterial infections and wounds. Fifty-two volatile components have been identified in the leaves and roots of the herb. Leaves decoction or dried leaves in diet did not affect plasma glucose and insulin levels in normal mice, but, hyperglycemia and its associated polydipsia and body weight loss were reduced in diabetic mice. One-month consumption of agrimony tea by healthy volunteers significantly elevated plasma total antioxidant capacity, and improved lipid profile, increased HDL-C and HDL-C correlation with adiponectin levels.