Practical
Plants

Eupatorium cannabinum

Hemp Agrimony

a perennial member of the Eupatorium genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.5 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Hemp agrimony has been employed chiefly as a detoxifying herb for fevers, colds, flu and other viral conditions. It also stimulates the removal of waste products via the kidneys[11]. Due to its content of alkaloids, the plant should only be used under professional supervision[11]. The leaves and flowering tops are alterative, cholagogue, depurative, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, febrifuge, purgative and tonic[12][14][15][7][13][9]. The plant has a long history of use as a gentle laxative that does not provoke irritation[14], though excessive doses cause purging and vomiting[9]. A tea made from the dried leaves will give prompt relief if taken at the onset of influenza[12]. Recent research has shown that the plant might have anti-tumour activity, though the plant also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause damage or cancer to the liver[9]. The plant is harvested in the summer and dried for later use[14]. The roots are diaphoretic, laxative and tonic[14]. They are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[9]. Recently the plant has been found of use as an immune system stimulant, helping to maintain resistance to acute viral and other infections[11]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves[12]. It is used in the treatment of influenza and feverish chills[12] and also for disorders of the liver, spleen and gall bladder[15].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Antitumor
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Purgative
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves have been laid on bread in order to prevent it from becoming mouldy[12]. The leaf juice has been rubbed onto the coats of animals as an insect repellent[14].

Product or use
Preservative
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
Most of Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa, western and central Asia.
Habitat
By streams, in low damp sites and in woods, avoiding acid soils[14][4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. If you have sufficient seed it can be sown outdoors in situ. Division in spring or autumn[3]. Very easy, the clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant[8], it succeeds in ordinary garden soil in sun or part shade[6]. Prefers a rich moist soil[5]. Grows well in marshy soils[7]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[5]. A very ornamental plant[1], it has a pleasant aromatic smell when cut[12]. Often found as a weed in British gardens, it can be allowed to naturalize in short grass in the wild garden[8]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[8]. An excellent bee and butterfly plant[10][2].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981-00-00

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  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

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  4. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

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  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  7. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  8. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

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  11. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  13. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  14. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  15. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2

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