Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) is a plant of the Rosaceae family. Thanks to its depurative properties, it is useful for the health of the liver. Let's find out better.
The flowering tops of agrimonia contain triterpenes (ursolic acid), tannins, phytosterols, essential oil, flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, quercetin), acids (citric, malic, nicotinic, ascorbic) vitamins (C, K and B1), bitter glycoside (eupatorine) which give the plant a general property stimulating liver function.
Since ancient times it is known for its purifying properties and, for this reason, it is used effectively in liver diseases. In fact the flowering tops exert a choleretic action, ie they increase the biliary secretion; and cholagogue, that is, facilitate the production and expulsion of the bile, thus favoring the correct functioning of the excretory organ.
In addition, the plant is able to reduce glycemia in subjects with mild food diabetes, but has no insulin-like action and is therefore not able to significantly reduce glycemia in more serious cases.
The presence of triterpenes and tannins justify its use also for external use, as an anti-inflammatory, healing remedy, in case of skin lesions, wounds, abrasions, cracks; and as an antiseptic and analgesic in various dermopaties, in which it also shows an antipruritic and antihistamine action, due to the presence of ursolic acid, which has an activity comparable to cortisone.
Finally, the agrimony has decongestant and astringent properties also on the tissues of the mucous membranes, in case of inflammation of the eyes, such as conjunctivitis or oral cavity, such as sore throat, tonsillitis, pharyngitis and rhinopharyngitis. It also acts on respiratory tract infections like bronchitis and asthma because it is a bronchodilator.
Instead for internal use, these active ingredients help to normalize catarrhal enteritis, colitis, diarrhea, gastrointestinal infections.