Hemp Agrimony Benefits

Hemp agrimony must not be mistaken for Sticklewort, also called Greek agrimony, which belongs to another botanical family and has different properties.

Hemp Agrimony Scientific Facts

1. Scientific Name: Eupatorium cannabinum L.
2. French: Eupatoire.
3. Spanish: Eupatorio.
4. Environment: Wetlands and forests all over Europe and America.
5. Description: Vivacious plant of the Compositae family, which grows up to 1.5 m high, with pink, white, or light blue flowers, growing in flower heads. Its root has a rancid smell, and its leaves taste sour.
6. Parts of the plant used medicinally: Leaves and fresh roots.

Hemp Agrimony Benefits

The whole plant contains resin, a bitter substance, tannin, and traces of essence. It has choleretic (increases bile secretion in the liver), depurative, antirheumatic, laxative, and expectorant properties. Hemp agrimony treats hepatic afflictions (hepatitis, cirrhosis), arthritis, rheumatic pain, bronchitis, colds, and a mild purgative. In external applications, it has vulnerary properties: it heals infected wounds, ulcers, and skin bruises.

Warning

In high doses, it may provoke vomiting. Please do not use it for long periods; it can lead to toxicity.

How to use Hemp Agrimony

1. Decoction with fifty grams of the sliced fresh root, or leaves, per liter of water. Drink two or three cups a day.
2. Compresses soaked in the above decoction are then applied to the afflicted skin area.

American Species

There are several Eupatorium species in America:

• Eupatorium collinum D.C., which is cultivated to use its leaves as a substitute for hops.
• Eupatorium perfoliatum L. This species grows in North America and is used as laxative, sudorific, and febrifuge against influenza and colds. Its common name is boneset.
• Eupatorium purpureum L. is commonly called Queen of the Meadow. This is a plant used by American natives as a diuretic and stimulating.
• Eupatorium staechadosmum Hance. Native to Indochina but cultivated in tropical America because of the medicinal properties of its leaves.
• Eupatorium triplinerve Vahl. = Eupatorium ayapana Vent. Comes from the Asian and American tropics. Its leaves render a stimulant infusion. In some places, it is known as Amazon tea.

Boneset

Boneset is mainly used to treat severe fevers, primarily intermittent fevers. When taken as a warm infusion (drink four to five cups while in bed to stimulate sweating), its primary use is for bronchitis, catarrh, and the flu. Boneset also helps to relieve pains and aches that are fever-induced. It is a decongestant that helps with calming the body, increasing sweat, reducing fever, and loosening phlegm. In Colonial times, an American Indian became well-known for curing typhoid with this plant. Decades later, boneset was given his name: Joe Pye Weed.

Boneset tea is made with an ounce of herb to a pint of water and steeped for ten minutes. One-half cup can be taken three times daily. When the tea is cold, it becomes a tonic stimulant and mild laxative. However, when taken warm, it is emetic and diaphoretic; it can break up the common cold, flu, and intermittent fever. The hot tea is cathartic and emetic and can be used as a form of sweating therapy by using four to five half-cup doses while in bed.

Infusion (tea): Steep for five to fifteen minutes. Take three ounces three times a day. Tincture: Take ten to forty drops three times a day. Fluid Extract: Take ½ to one teaspoon three times a day. Powder: Take four to ten #0 capsules (20 to 60 grains) three times daily.

REFERENCES

• George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. Vols. 1 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 388. Print.
• Vance Ferrell Harold M. Cherne, M.D. The Natural Remedies Encyclopedia [Book]. – Altamont, TN: Harvestime Books, 2010. – Vol. Seventh Edition: 7: pp. 147.