Eupatorium cannabinum
| Eupatorium cannabinum | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 5' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Eupatorium cannabinum (common name: hemp agrimony)
Propagation: 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[1]. Very easy, the clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions.
Cultivation: An easily grown plant[2], it succeeds in ordinary garden soil in sun or part shade[3]. Prefers a rich moist soil[4]. Grows well in marshy soils[5].
Plants are hardy to about -25°c[4].
A very ornamental plant[6], it has a pleasant aromatic smell when cut[7]. Often found as a weed in British gardens, it can be allowed to naturalize in short grass in the wild garden[2].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[2].
An excellent bee and butterfly plant[8][9].
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[10][11].
Medicinal: 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[12]. Due to its content of alkaloids, the plant should only be used under professional supervision[12].
The leaves and flowering tops are alterative, cholagogue, depurative, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, febrifuge, purgative and tonic[7][10][13][5][14][15]. The plant has a long history of use as a gentle laxative that does not provoke irritation[10], though excessive doses cause purging and vomiting[15]. A tea made from the dried leaves will give prompt relief if taken at the onset of influenza[7]. 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[15]. The plant is harvested in the summer and dried for later use[10].
The roots are diaphoretic, laxative and tonic[10]. They are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[15].
Recently the plant has been found of use as an immune system stimulant, helping to maintain resistance to acute viral and other infections[12].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves[7]. It is used in the treatment of influenza and feverish chills[7] and also for disorders of the liver, spleen and gall bladder[13].
Usage: The leaves have been laid on bread in order to prevent it from becoming mouldy[7].
The leaf juice has been rubbed onto the coats of animals as an insect repellent[10].
Pollinators: Bees, flies, beetles, lepidoptera, self
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ Sanders, Thomas. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge, 1926.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Baines, Chris. Making a Wildlife Garden.
- ↑ International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association, 1981.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.