Agrimony herb, also known as hairy agrimony or Herba Agrimoniae in pharmaceutical Latin, is usually found in woods and grasslands in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Because it is rich in tannins, it has the properties of an astringent. Although it is usually considered an herb to stop bleeding, it is more than just a hemostatic since it works on the treatment of a few other illnesses like cancers. As a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, it is called Xian He Cao, which can be translated as "crane grass". Interesting enough, many Chinese herbs named with "Xian" are considered to be herbs with magical uses, for example, Epimedium (Xian Ling Pi), Curculigo (Xian Mao), Smilax (Tu Fu Ling), and the like.
Medicinally it refers to the aerial part of Agrimonia pilosa. Ledeb., which is a flowering plant in the Rosaceae family. Agrimony grass is normally harvested during summer and autumn when the stems and leaves are lush. And then it should be dried after the impurities are removed.
Agrimony Herb
Agrimony plant is a perennial, up to 1 meter. The whole plant is with white long hair. Rhizome is short, often with 1 or several radical buds (overwintering buds). Erect stems are sparsely covered with pubescence and glandular hairs. Pinnately compound leaf is alternate; leaflets come in different sizes, interval orders, oval to obovate shapes, 2.5 to 7cm length, 1.5 to 3.5cm width, serrated edges, and pubescent sides; stipules is nearly ovoid. Racemes are acrogenous; calyx is obconic and five-lobed and lobe base has many persistent hooked bristles; yellow petals are 5; ovary is semi-inferior and with prominent style; when fruits are ripening, calyx tube thickens and sags. Calyx tube is with a circle of erect barbed hooks on top and deep longitudinal groove outside. Because it mimics the crane head, it is better known as "crane grass" in China. The blossom and fruit season is from May to December.
AGRIMONY HERB BENEFITS
So, what is agrimony used for? In fact, this herb has long been used to treat different ailments in different countries. For example, in Korea it is mainly for taeniasis, eczema, and boils. But in China and Nepal, it is more used a drug for sunstroke, Headache, sore throat, and Stomachache.