Folk Names: Cocklebur, Stickwort, Liverwort, Church Steeples, Philanthropos
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Jupiter, Mercury
Element: Air
Magical Correspondences: Ambrotos (Eternal One)
When to Harvest: When flowers are at their peak in mid-summer.
Parts of the Plant to be Used: All aerial parts are used, flowers, leaves and stems.
Physical Characteristics and Growing Habits
Upright, tall, spiky perennial with stalks of yellow flowers reaching up to 2ft in height. Mostly grows in disturbed and flat areas like roadside ditches, meadows and recently logged areas. Some species are native to the UK and can be found growing all over the islands, except northern Scotland. Other varieties are native to N. America, but varieties of all kinds can now be found growing wild throughout Europe and N. America.
Health and Wellness Uses
Agrimony was a widely used medicinal plant in the Middle Ages, and was used for indigestion or severe coughing as well as in charms for sleep. Also, as an astringent plant that has actions on the blood and venous system it is believed to cleanse the liver and has a long history as a wash for cleaning wounds. It’s high vitamin K content means it has excellent blood clotting properties. The flowers and leaves of the plant are used to make teas, infusions, bath bags, mouthwash and topical preparations.
Metaphysical and Magical Associations
Repelling harmful energies, dream work, curse breaking, cultivating gratitude, general & psychic healing.
Folklore, Cultural, and Historical Uses
Associated with dreams and a deep, death-like sleep agrimony is one of the plants associated with the tale of Sleeping Beauty.
Dr Edward Bach chose it as one of his 38 flower essences. It is indicated for those who put on a ‘brave face’, soldiering on and hiding inner turmoil, ignoring the darker side of life.
In the 1400s, Agrimony was picked to make ‘arquebusade water’ to staunch bleeding inflicted by the arquebus or handgun.
Cautions and Contraindications
Agrimony is considered to be an overall very safe herb with a long history of use. However, like any plant some people can be allergic, and extra caution should be taken if you know you are allergic to the rosaceae family. When taken internally, it is an astringent herb so its use should be avoided in cases of constipation or when a person has an overly dry and cold constitution.
Agrimony Recipes
For an oximel, combine 1/4 cup dried agrimony, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/4 honey. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar that’s just big enough to hold the ingredients without too much air space. Place in a cool, dark area and shake daily for two weeks. Take 1-2 tablespoons a day, in the evening before bed. Herbs do not need to be strained out, but you can if you just want the liquid. For an added boost you can add the oxymel to a cup of chamomile tea.
Agrimony Spells
An English charm for a restful, nightmare-free sleep. Put a sachet of agrimony leaves and flowers underneath the person’s pillow and say
‘If it be layed under a man’s head, He shall sleep as if he were dead, He shall never dread nor awaken, Till from under his head it be taken’
Agrimony is used to break hexes and return them to the sender. Anoint reversing candles with agrimony oil, or sprinkle the flowers around the base of the candle before burning. If you don’t have a reversing (or double-action) candle, a white candle may be used instead.
Add to uncrossing baths and floor washes. Or mix it with salt and keep it around the home to counteract jinxes.
Wear or carry agrimony to help build up psychic shields.
Use in purifying incense and sachets, especially to repel the ill-wishes of others.
Sources:
A Modern Herbal | Agrimony (botanical.com)
Magickal properties of Agrimony – Grove and Grotto
Entering Hekate’s Garden by Cyndi Brannen
