The drug, which is extracted from the lesser agrimony, can be taken for acute diarrhea, mucosal inflammation of the mouth and throat, hemorrhoids, and urological conditions such as bladder infections and urinary incontinence.
External use of agrimony
The drug can also be used for external treatment of mild, superficial inflammation of the skin. For this purpose, poultices of the aqueous extract of the drug are applied to the inflamed areas.
Agrimony is also said to have beneficial effects on arthritis and rheumatism, but scientific evidence for this is lacking.
Agrimony in folk medicine
Agrimony is used in folk medicine as a so-called astringent (literally “astringent”) for external injuries, and specifically to stop bleeding. The astringent, hemostatic and anti-inflammatory effect is based on the fact that certain substances contained in agrimony form compounds with the cell membranes, which strengthen the uppermost cell layer and reduce the permeability of the small blood vessels.
Folk medicine further uses the drug for disorders of bile excretion (cholecystopathy); however, there is no explanation for this based on the ingredients known to date.
Application in homeopathy
In homeopathy, agrimony is used to treat bronchitis.
Ingredients of agrimony
Agrimony contains to a high proportion (4-10%) tannins – mainly catechin tannins and besides traces of ellagitannins and gallotannins. Other active substances are polysaccharides (20 %), triterpenes, flavonoids (water-soluble plant pigments) and free phenolic acids. The great agrimony further contains traces of essential oil.
Agrimony: for what indication?
In the following cases, agrimony may find application:
- Diarrhea
- Mucositis
- Hemorrhoids
- Cystitis
- Urinary incontinence
- Skin inflammation
- Arthritis
- Rheumatism
