Also known as liverwort, stickwort, sticklewort, cocklebur and church steeples, agrimony (agrimonia eupatoria) is an herb grown throughout much of the United States and southern Canada. The medicinal parts of agrimony include all parts that grow above ground. Agrimony is a nontoxic astringent that is recognized throughout the world for its wound healing properties. It is especially safe for children as well.

Agrimony has been shown to be effective in treating Diabetes. Studies on animals suggest that agrimony infusions can prevent type 1 diabetes from developing. It is not known however, if the herb has the same effect in humans. In type 2 diabetes, the herb counters excessive thirst and lowers blood sugar levels.

Agrimony is also beneficial in treating bed-wetting. The herb stops the urinary tract from becoming irritated, which can increase a child's urge to urinate.

For thousands of years, agrimony has been a recommendation among many to encourage clot formation and stop bleeding and bruising.

A chemical compound called agrimophol can be found in agrimony. This chemical causes the hold that parasites have on the lining of the bladder to be lost, thereby causing them to be eliminated through the urine or stool making it helpful in eliminating parasitic infections. Agrimophol also kills the organism that causes river blindness, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus and many other common bacteria including the ones that cause typhoid fever and dysentery.

The astringents in agrimony exhibit diuretic and tonic properties. The herb has been recognized for quite sometime as a great treatment for jaundice and other problems. It promotes the assimilation of food and gives tone to the digestive system.

Agrimony is available in tea or tinctures. It's a good choice for illness in children because it toxicity level is very low.

While many forms of diarrhea can be effectively treated with agrimony, it should be noted that the tannins in the herb cause pectin fibers to cross-link and bind, thereby promoting constipation.

Aside from its effects on the digestive system, agrimony affects the immune system as well. Agrimony stimulates the body to produce immune bodies called B cells, which produce chemicals called antigens that attack invading microbes. The body's supply of B cells can be depleted with certain types of cancer including multiple myeloma, chronic leukemia and ovarian cancer. Agrimony may offer a beneficial immunostimulant side effect in people with these types of cancer.

* Important notes: Agrimony should not be used by those who suffer from any autoimmune disease as it can have an adverse effect.

It is recommended that you seek the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner prior to using agrimony or any alternative therapies. Any recommended doses are for those over age 18. Always check herb and vitamin use with your child’s health care practitioner prior to administering them.