Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) is a perennial native to Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa that has naturalized to most of the US and Canada.
It grows in open areas, fields and waste places and hedgerows. Yellow flower spikes appear on a downy stem about 20 inches tall around Midsummer and continue on through September.
The seeds that follow are contained within burr-like cases, which stick to everything. The leaves are downy and serrated and pinnately divided with less division in the smaller lower leaves. The leaves are fuzzy with more fuzz on the bottom giving the undersides a silvery appearance.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Agrimony has a rich history in folklore and has been used for various magical and healing purposes for centuries.
It can be propagated through seeds or root division and requires well-drained soil and full sunlight for optimal growth.
When harvesting agrimony, it’s essential to pick the aerial parts, and proper drying and storage methods should be followed.
Agrimony is associated with magical attributes such as protection, banishing negativity, and enhancing psychic abilities, making it a popular choice in witchcraft and spiritual practices.
The root is a black woody rhizome. The entire plant has a sweet citrusy scent.
Other Names Common Agrimony, Cockleburr, Cocklebur, Church Steeples, Stickwort, Sticklewort, Philanthropos, Ackerkraut, Agrimonia, Funffing, Herbe de Saint-Guillaume, Liverwort, Acrimony, Harvest lice, Aigremoine, Odermennig, Agrimonia, Herba agrimoniae, Agrimoniae herba, Burr Marigold, Garclive, Fairy’s Wand
Contents
History and Folklore
The name agrimony likely comes from the Greek argemone, meaning plant used for treating cataracts, although agrimony is not often used in this capacity.
The Anglo-Saxons called it Garclive and used it to treat wounds, skin blemishes, warts, and snakebite. An early herbal remedy used a mix of agrimony, human blood, and pounded frogs to treat internal bleeding.
| Folklore | Description |
|---|---|
| Protection Charm | Agrimony was believed to possess protective properties |
| Healing Poultice | It was used in poultices to aid in the healing of wounds |
| Fairy Folk Association | Agrimony was associated with fairies and their magic |
| Dream Enhancer | It was believed to enhance dreams and facilitate prophetic visions |
| Dispelling Negative Energy | Agrimony was used to ward off negative energy and hexes |
Agrimony has long been regarded as powerfully magical, and one of its earliest common names is ‘fairy’s wand’. In an 18th-century Scottish witch trial, agrimony was mentioned as a witch’s cure for people who were ‘elf-shot,’ or suffering unexplained illness.
Propagation
Agrimony will grow well throughout most of North America. A perennial herb, it should be sown from seed in winter, or they may be stratified by putting them in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks before spring planting. Agrimony seeds are suitable for Midwinter planting ceremonies.
Agrimony prefers well-drained soil and full to partial sun and tolerates dry spells well.
Harvesting & Storage
Agrimony can be harvested at midsummer or when the flowers just come into bloom. Cut the whole plant and hang outside to dry. Or pluck the leaves as needed.
Agrimony is an invasive perennial, so you’ll need to keep on top to ensure it doesn’t take over.
Magical Attributes
Agrimony is masculine in nature and according to Nicholas Culpeper is associated with the planet Jupiter and the sign Cancer It is also associated with the element of air.
Agrimony is useful for spellwork for those who need to explore their true feelings and to help balance the emotions applied to a situation.
| Magickal Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Protection | Agrimony was used in protective spells and rituals |
| Banishing Negativity | It was believed to banish negative energy and malevolent forces |
| Psychic Enhancement | Agrimony was associated with enhancing psychic abilities |
| Love and Friendship | It was used in love spells and to attract new friendships |
| Divination | Agrimony was believed to enhance divination practices |
The plant is also used in protection spells, to help build a psychic shield, to reduce the influence of another’s negativity and to banish negative energies and spirits. It is said to reverse harmful spells cast on you, causing them to rebound on the sender. Use in all protective sachets, spells and medicine bags. It can also be burned in banishing rituals or as a wash to cleanse the aura.
It is especially useful in healing magic as it enhances the strength of all healing spells, especially at a distance. You could use it in a ritual bath before beginning, as a wash for your tools, burn it as an offering or fumigant or decorate your alter with it.
Agrimony can be added to pillows, or placed under the pillow to ensure a night of deep, dreamless sleep. This is especially useful for those who are too troubled to sleep properly. This is an old traditional use for this herb, as stated in a traditional Old English rhyme:
If it be leyd under mann’s heed,
He shal sleepyn as he were deed;
He shal never drede ne wakyn
Till fro under his heed it be takyn.
Correspondences of Agrimony
| Correspondence | Symbolic Representation |
|---|---|
| Element | Fire |
| Planet | Jupiter |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Deities | Brigid, Hecate |
| Associated Colors | Yellow, green |
| Magickal Tools | Athame, cauldron, divination tools |
Household Use
This plant works well in a perennial border. It also yields a yellow dye. The later in the season the plant is collected, the darker the dye will be.
This plant also contains a good deal of tannin and may be useful in dressing leather.
Healing Attributes
Agrimony is a nontoxic astringent that is especially safe for children. It is commonly used as a digestive tonic that relieves diarrhea and colicky pains.
A tonic infusion, a 1-2 teaspoons per teacup, three times a day (or make it by the jugful, adjusting measurements accordingly, and store it in the fridge to drink cold), can be used as a diuretic and for urinary and kidney infections, for jaundice and general liver ailments. Agrimony is also a popular “spring tonic”.
| Healing Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Digestive Aid | Agrimony was used to support digestion and alleviate indigestion |
| Anti-inflammatory | It was believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties |
| Diuretic | Agrimony was used as a diuretic to promote urine flow |
| Wound Healing | It was used topically to aid in the healing of wounds |
| Respiratory Support | Agrimony was used to support respiratory health and ease coughs |
The same infusion may also be used as a gargle for throat irritation, especially useful for singers.
Agrimony is one of the traditional Bach Flower Remedies, used to bring emotional balance to those who hide their feelings behind humor and put on a brave face and to promote self-acceptance.
Caution
Taken internally agrimony will aggravate constipation, particularly take in addition to psyllium powders such as Metamucil or along with prunes or prune juice.
Culinary Use
Agrimony makes a lovely fragrant tea good hot or iced. Steep 1 teaspoon of dried leaves and flowers in one cup of hot water for 15 minutes. Add honey to taste.
Contains vitamins B3, K, iron, and niacin
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