Agrimonia pilosa

Agrimonia pilosa also known as hairy agrimony, is a flowering plant in the family Rosaceae. It is distributed primarily over the Korean Peninsula, Japan, China, Siberia, and Eastern Europe.

Description

A herb. It grows 60-100 cm high. It keeps growing from year to year. The leaves are divided into leaflets along the stalk. The leaflets are narrowly oval and have teeth along the edge. They are hairy on both surfaces. The flowers are yellow and in groups at the ends of the branches. The fruit is enclosed in a hard, bristly covering.

Edible Uses

Young leaves can be cooked and eaten. The seeds are dried and ground into a meal that is mixed with noodles.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are eaten cooked. The leaves are bitter and are eaten after boiling. The seeds are dried and ground into a meal and mixed with noodles. CAUTION: It should probably only be eaten in small amounts.

Medicinal Uses

The stems and leaves are analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, astringent, cardiotonic, haemostatic, hypoglycaemic, taenicide, and vasoconstrictor. The plant is used to treat abdominal pain, sore throat, headaches, bloody and mucoid dysentery, bloody and white discharge, and heat-stroke. In Korea it is used against parasitic worms, boils, and eczema. The leaves are rich in vitamin K and are used to promote blood clotting and control bleeding. The plant contains agrimonin, which is haemostatic and cardiotonic and lowers blood sugar, though it can also cause palpitations and congestion of blood in the face. The root is astringent, diuretic, and tonic, used for coughs, colds, tuberculosis, and diarrhoea. Root juice is applied in the treatment of peptic ulcer, and a paste of the root is used for stomach ache. Plants are harvested as they come into flower and can be dried for later use.

Distribution

It is a temperate climate plant. It grows naturally in the lowlands and mountains all over Japan. It does best on calcareous soils and in a sunny position. In Nepal it grows between 1,000-3,000 m altitude. In China it grows between 100-3,800 m above sea level. It grows in open forests and on mountain sides. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Europe, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Russia, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Fresh seed usually germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 13°C. Seeds can be sown in a nursery then transplanted out. Plants can also be grown by division of the clump. Plants are harvested as they come into flower and can be dried for later use in medicine.

Propagation

Seed can be sown in spring or autumn, either in pots in a cold frame or directly in situ. Germination typically takes 2–6 weeks at 13°C, though rates can be low — particularly with stored seed. Cold stratification improves germination but is not essential. When raising in pots, prick out seedlings once large enough to handle and plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in autumn is very easy; divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

There are 15 Agrimonia species. They grow in the northern temperate zones. The leaves are rich in vitamin K and are used to promote blood clotting and control bleeding. It has anticancer properties. It has Estrogen-like activity.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Chihao, Kin-Mizu-Hiki, Longgia, Mocbac Nepal, Taniom, Tanion, Tienhac

References (17)

• Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 22 (As Agrimonia pilosa var. nepalensis)
• Bremness, L., 1994, Herbs. Collins Eyewitness Handbooks. Harper Collins. p 139
• Hwang, H., et al, 2013, A Study on the Flora of 15 Islands in the Western Sea of Jeollanamdo Province, Korea. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol. 6, No. 2 281-310
• Hwang, HS, et al, 2014, Distribution characteristics of plant in the Ungseokbong Mountain, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. 7(2014) e164-e178
• Index sem. hort. Dorpat., suppl. 1. 1823

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