Agrimony uses in natural skin care products.
Agrimony was one of the most famous vulnerary (healing) herbs with anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. The tannin content is responsible for many of its medicinal uses.
The dried leaves can be used to make tea for drinking or as a throat gargle. Preliminary studies suggest that agrimony may be useful against certain bacterial and viral infections, for tumor growth inhibition, diabetes, and hypertension (high blood pressure). Available clinical trials looked at its use in treating certain skin and gastrointestinal disorders. More human studies are needed to confirm these and other reported uses for agrimony.
There is no proven safe of effective dose for agrimony. Agrimony has traditionally been given as a tea, tincture, infusion or extract. Examples of traditional doses that have been used include: 1-3 milliliters of liquid extract (1:1 in 25% alcohol) per day; 2-4 grams dried herb infusion three times per day; and 1-4 milliliters tincture (1:5 in 45% alcohol) three times daily.
When applied on the skin, a poultice has been applied several times daily using approximately 10% water extract, which is prepared by boiling agrimony at low heat for 10-20 minutes.
Side Effects and Warnings
Agrimony is likely safe since its leaves are used as a substitute for tea. It is also likely safe when applied on the skin. No significant adverse effects for agrimony have been documented. When used as recommended for a short-term, agrimony is considered to be safe.
Agrimony is listed by the Council of Europe as a natural source of food flavoring. This use is possibly safe since it can be added to foodstuffs in small quantities with a possible limitation of an active principle (not yet specified) in the final product.
In excessive amounts Agrimony is possibly unsafe when used orally (by mouth) or topically (applied on the skin) due to its high tannin content. In theory, agrimony may cause photodermatitis, low blood pressure, and nausea.
The high amount of tannins (up to 21%) in agrimony may lead to gastrointestinal upset, hepatic necrosis (death of liver cells), nephrotoxicity (damage to the kidneys) or increased risk of developing esophageal (of the esophagus) cancer if used chronically. Avoid in patients with diarrhea caused by an underlying disease. Agrimony should be used only for mild and acute diarrhea. Patients who tend to develop constipation very easily should also avoid agrimony.
Isocoumarins have been found in the roots of agrimony; there may be an increased risk for bleeding. Caution is advised in patients with bleeding disorders or taking agents that may increase the risk of bleeding. Dosing adjustments may be necessary.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Due to a lack of toxicity data, excessive use of agrimony is possibly unsafe and should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding because of the possible effects on the menstrual cycle.
Agrimony may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Agrimony may lower blood pressure. Therefore, it is possible that the hypotensive (blood pressure lowering) effect may be additive with drugs used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Excessive doses of agrimony might cause hypotension, interfering with therapy for hypertension or hypotension.
Agrimony may be used to treat symptoms of menopause along with other herbs so it may be likely that it contains an estrogenic-like component. Therefore, it should not be used in patients on some form of hormone-replacement therapy, such as birth control pills.
Since agrimony contains up to 21% tannins, chronic ingestion may result in nephrotoxicity (damage to the kidneys).
Uses
Gastrointestinal Conditions
diarrhea, digestive trouble, enlargement of stomach, indigestion, mucous colitis, overactive irritable bowel, promotes assimilation of food, relaxed bowels, sluggish stomach conditions, stimulates the flow of digestive juices, stimulates the appetite
ulcers, Genitourinary Conditions, kidney and bladder disorders, urinary tract infections combined with Hawthorn, Golden Rod and Thyme.
Inflammatory Conditions
gout, rheumatism, Liver Conditions, facilitates liver secretion, gallbladder problems, hardening of liver, jaundice and other liver ailments, obstruction of the liver, sluggish liver conditions, Respiratory Tract Conditions, coughs, enlargement of lungs, inflammation of oral and pharyngeal mucosa, inflammation of the throat – the tea when cooled works as a throat gargle to reduce inflammation and relieve sore throat pain, tonsillitis.
Agrimony may be used as a gargle for
laryngitis, public speakers, singers, throat disorders, thrush or inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth, tonsillitis.
Skin Conditions
It is useful internally and externally for skin problems, skin eruptions and diseases of the blood such as:
blotches, pimples, scrofulous sores.
Applied externally in the form of a compress or poultice, Agrimony can reduce the severity of certain types of skin inflammation, such as:
inflamed hemorrhoids, oozing wounds, rashes, varicose veins.
Caution
People with kidney or liver conditions should not take or apply agrimony products because of high tannin content which can be associated with kidney or liver damage. Both oral and topical agrimony can make unprotected skin more sensitive to sunlight or artificial light in sun tanning parlors. If agrimony is taken or applied, sunscreen should be used, as well.
Cases of allergic reactions such as itchy rashes have been reported in individuals who handled fresh or dried agrimony plants. Because agrimony belongs to the same family of plants as roses, individuals with allergies to roses or related plants may also be sensitive to agrimony.
