Used as an infusion, decoction, extract, tincture and ointment.

Astringent Agrimony, rich in tannins and flavonoids, is used as a tea or strong decoction to cure digestive system ailments, indigestion, urinary incontinence, cystitis and diarrhea. It is an excellent gargle for sore throat and laryngitis. As a topical ointment it heals wounds and bruises.

The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Agrimony herb for 'Internal: Mild, nonspecific, acute diarrhea; inflammation of oral and pharyngeal mucosa. External: Mild, superficial inflammation of the skin.'

'Dosage: For internal application: Average daily dosage: 3 g of herb; equivalent preparations. Mode of Administration: Comminuted herb or herb powder for teas; other galenical preparations for external and internal use. Action: Astringent.'

Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Astringent tonic, diuretic. Agrimony has had a great reputation for curing jaundice and other liver complaints. Gerard believed in its efficacy. He says: 'A decoction of the leaves is good for them that have naughty livers': and he tells us also that Pliny called it a 'herb of princely authoritie.' Dioscorides stated that it was not only 'a remedy for them that have bad livers,' but also 'for such as are bitten with serpents.' Dr. Hill, who from 1751 to 1771 published several works on Herbal medicine, recommends 'an infusion of 6 oz. of the crown of the root in a quart of boiling water, sweetened with honey and half a pint drank three times a day,' as an effectual remedy for jaundice. It gives tone to the system and promotes assimilation of food.'

'Agrimony is also considered a very useful agent in skin eruptions and diseases of the blood, pimples, blotches, etc. A strong decoction of the root and leaves, sweetened with honey or sugar, has been taken successfully to cure scrofulous sores, being administered two or three times a day, in doses of a wineglassful, persistently for several months. The same decoction is also often employed in rural districts as an application to ulcers.'

'Preparation: Fluid extract dose, 10 to 60 drops.'

'In North America, it is said to be used in fevers with great success, by the Indians and Canadians.'

King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Agrimony is a mild tonic, alterative, and astringent. A decoction of it is highly recommended in bowel complaints, leucorrhoea, chronic mucous diseases, chronic affections of the digestive organs, profuse bleedings, of an asthenic character, certain cutaneous diseases, icterus, etc.'

'A strong decoction, sweetened with honey, is reputed curative in scrofula, if its use be persisted in for a length of time; and it has also been highly extolled in the treatment of gravel, asthma, coughs, and obstructed menstruation. Dr. D. C. Payne speaks highly of a continued use of a decoction of this plant in the treatment of erysipelas and scrofulous affections, to be used freely, in connection with diet and regularity of the bowels.'

'It is also reputed to be valuable as a diuretic, and has been considered a specific in dropsy and in gonorrhoea.'

'As a gargle, the decoction is useful in ulcerations of the mouth and throat. The astringency of the root renders it very useful in those affections requiring the exhibition of astringents.'

'Specifically, agrimonia checks mucous profluvia, and gives tone to mucous tissues. Chronic bronchitis, phthisis, with increased secretions, and muddy, ill-smelling urine, humoral asthma, and chronic genito-urinary catarrhal states, are most benefited by it. Pain in the lumbar region is relieved by it. Cystitis, nephritis, and an irritable condition of the bladder, are met by it, as is painful renal congestion.'

'Dose: A drachm or two of the pulverized leaves may be taken for a dose, or 2 or 3 fluid ounces of the decoction; specific agrimonia, 1 to 60 drops.'

American Materia Medica, 1919 (Ellingwood): 'Renal congestion, general irritation of the urinary organs. This agent should be given in that common and intractable condition, where there is dribbling of urine in elderly people, always present when coughing or sneezing. Bronchial or pulmonary cough, where there are thick and profuse secretions, is relieved by it.'

'The older physicians spoke very highly of the action of this remedy within the limits of the above indications. It is valuable in the treatment of erysipelas and scrofulous affections.'

'It inhibits excessive action of the mucous membranes, giving tone to the mucous, tissues. In chronic bronchitis and asthma, and in the earlier stage of consumption, it was especially advised.'

'All authors agree, however, that its influence is most direct upon the kidneys, correcting imperfect elimination through these organs. It corrects chronic inflammatory conditions, and relieves general irritability. Excessive mucous discharges are promptly relieved by agrimony. The atonic and relaxed mucous membranes which secrete excessively, are restored to normal tone and normal functional activity by its use. Bronchorrhea and leucorrhea, chronic ulcerative gastric catarrh, as well as colitis, ileocolitis, proctitis and cystitis, all come within the range of its influence.'

'In ulcerative stomatitis, with foul smelling breath, it may be used alone or in conjunction with astringent alteratives, as quercus alba, alnus or geranium.'

'Agrimony is useful in a form of dysuria which affects women and girls, especially those who are suffering from some form of dysmenorrhea; or those in which there is difficulty in having a normal menstrual function established, this function being accompanied with much pain and general distressing symptoms.'

'With this there is often an irritable condition of the bladder. At the same time there may be hysterical symptoms, which result from uterine or ovarian congestion, which on its part, may be increased by the urinary irritation. This remedy seems to soothe the nervous system while it quiets the local irritation of the bladder. It was used by the older physicians for this purpose.'

'Pain due to chronic renal or cystic inflammation is relieved by it through its direct influence upon the pathological processes.'

'We would be inclined to combine cimicifuga or gelsemium and pulsatilla with agrimony, but the old doctors believed the latter remedy would cover the entire group of symptoms. However, a combination of the above agents, properly adjusted, could not fail to be of service.'