39 lines
2.1 KiB
Plaintext
39 lines
2.1 KiB
Plaintext
AGRIMONY : Agrimonia eupatoria
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Other Names: Church steeples, Cocklebur, Sticklewort, Philanthropos
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HABITAT : In its wild state, agrimony can be found growing
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extensively throughout Europe, Canada, and the United
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States. A hardy perennial, its natural habitat is woods
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and fields, but it takes to cultivation easily. Its one
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to two foot branchy stems are covered with a fine, silky
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down and terminate in spikes of cream-colored flowers.
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Both the flowers and the notched leaves give off a faint
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characteristic lemony scent when crushed. After the
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flowers fade they give place to tiny clinging "burrs"
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which will quickly adhere to your clothing if you brush
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by the plant in a hedgerow. For garden growing, give the
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herb sun or partial sun and regular watering, an plant
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from seed or propogate by root division in spring or
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fall. Gather the herb in summer while the flowers are in
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bloom.
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PROPERTIES: Agrimony contains tanin and a volatile, essential oil.
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Like most samples, the uses to which it is put are
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remarkably varied. The English use it to make a
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delicious "spring" or "diet" drink for purifying the
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blood. It is considered especially useful as a tonic for
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aiding recovery from winter colds and fevers. As
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agrimony also posses an astringent action, it is
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frequently used as an herbal mouthwash and gargle
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ingredient, and is applied externally in the form of a
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lotion to minor sores and ulcers. It has also been
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recommended, as a strong decoction, to cure sores,
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blemishes, and pimples.
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Agrimony Tea: (a Gentle Blood Purifier) Infuse 1 teaspoon dried
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agrimony root, leaves, or flowers in 1 cup of boiling
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water for 15 minutes. Strain and flavor with honey and a
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little licorice root if desired. Take upto 1 cup per
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day.
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