Sticklewort / Agrimonia eupatoria L. / is a perennial plant that is widespread throughout Europe, Southwest Asia and the Mediterranean. It is found at altitudes of up to about 4920 ft (1500 m) above sea level. It grows in grassy areas and bushes. The sticklewort is also known by the names common agrimony, church steeples and others.
The sticklewort is covered with soft hairs, with a short and thick rhizome. The stem is fibrous and erect, unbranched or slightly branched. It reaches heights of 12″- 47″ (30-120 cm). The fruits of the sticklewort have a length of 0.4″ (1 cm), with long, drooping outgrowths. Blooms in June-September.
Composition of sticklewort
Sticklewort contains vitamins B, C, K and P, mucilage, silicates, coumarins, bitter substances, steroidal saponins, essential oils, tannins.
Collection and storage of sticklewort
The above-ground parts of the herb are collected for therapeutic purposes, but not the hard stem. The best time to collect are the months from June to August. It is picked prior to or during flowering, but without collecting the blades as they do not have the same therapeutic properties.
The above ground part is truncated to 12 or so inches from the top down. Collected sticklewort is dried in the shade. The dried herb has an astringent taste and a weak odor. 9 lb (4 kg) of fresh blades produce 2 lb (1 kg) of dry ones.
Benefits of sticklewort
The sticklewort has very good anti-inflammatory and fortifying effects. The astringent properties in combination with the properties of a bitter tonic make the herb valuable for treating a range of conditions. This applies in full force when its constricting qualities are needed to help support the digestive tract.
Use it for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea. It is ideal for children's diarrhea because it has no side effects in this regard.
Sticklewort helps with colitis, cystitis and urinary problems. Traditionally, sticklewort is used as an excellent spring tonic. Use it to gargle for laryngitis and sore throat.
In studies on humans, it has been found that sticklewort has a positive effect in acute porphyria. The excellent astringent action of the herb is due to the gallotannins and tannins contained in it.
Sticklewort is used during heavy menstruation, kidney stones and cystitis, inflammation of the throat and oral cavity, biliary disease, anemia, skin problems, rheumatism, gout, involuntary bedwetting in children, hemorrhoids, rashes and more.
Traditional medicine and sticklewort
Folk medicine recommends extracts of sticklewort for gastro-intestinal diseases that are accompanied by diarrhea. The significant presence of tannins provides a good anti-diarrheal effect.
When administered topically, the drug sticklewort has good astringent and anti-inflammatory effects for those suffering from angina, bleeding gums, inflammation of the lining of the mouth, and it's also useful for washing of the vagina.
2 cups (500 ml) of boiling water are poured over 3-4 tablespoons of the herb. After it has cooled down, the mixture is filtered and the extract ready to be drunk over the course of 1-2 days.
Dangers of sticklewort
Sticklewort should not be used by people who suffer from kidney and liver problems, or constipation. Cases of allergic reactions are known with itching and rashes in people who process dried or fresh sticklewort. Sticklewort belongs to the rose family, so people who are allergic to roses can get hypersensitivity to sticklewort as well.
If the sticklewort is taken in conjunction with other herbs that lower blood pressure, it could become too low. This also applies to herbs that lower blood glucose levels as well as those that affect blood clotting.
It is recommended that sticklewort is used when prescribed and under medical supervision so as to avoid negative side effects.
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