Agrimony

AGRIMONY AGRIMONIA EUPATORIA
It draweth forth thorns and splinters of wood, nails, or any other such thing gotten into the flesh.
This has long leaves, dented about the edges, green above and grayish underneath, and a little hairy; a strong, round, hairy brown stalk, two or three feet (60 to 90 cm) high, and small yellow flowers one above another in long spikes.
Where to find it: It grows upon banks near the sides of hedges.
Flowering time: Midsummer, the seed being ripe shortly after.
Astrology: It is under Jupiter and the sign of Cancer. It strengthens those parts under the planet and sign, and removes diseases in them by sympathy; diseases under Saturn, Mars and Mercury are removed by antipathy if they happen in any part of the body governed by Jupiter, or under the signs Cancer, Sagittarius or Pisces, and therefore must be good for the gout, either used outwardly in oil or ointment, or inwardly in an electuary, or syrup, or concerted juice.
Medicinal virtues. It openeth and cleanseth the liver, helpeth the jaundice, and is very beneficial to the bowels, healing all inward wounds, bruises, hurts and other distempers. The decoction of the herb made with wine, and drank, is good against the biting and stinging of serpents, and helps them that make foul, troubled or bloody water, and makes them part with clear urine speedily. It also helpeth the colic, cleanseth the breast, and rids away the cough. A draught of the decoction taken warm before the fit, first removes, and in time rids away the tertian or quartan agues. The leaves and seeds taken in wine stays the bloody flux. Outwardly applied, being stamped with old swine's grease, it helpeth old sores, cancers and inveterate ulcers. The juice dropped in helpeth foul and imposthumed scars.
Modern uses: A valuable herb in modern practice used mainly as a gastro-intestinal tonic. It is also a useful remedy for coughs, skin eruptions and cystitis. As all the medicinal properties are fully soluble in water, the best way to administer it is as an infusion - 1 oz (28 g) of the dried herb to 1 pt (568 ml) of boiling water. Small doses are given frequently. A fluid extract is available from herbalists, the dose being from 10 to 4o drops.