Common Name: Hemp Agrimony

General Information

Eupatorium cannabinum is an erect, herbaceous perennial plant producing a clump of stems from a woody rootstock; the stems can be simple or with short branches, growing from 30 - 150cm tall.
The plant is valued for its medicinal virtues and is often harvested from the wild for use as a medicine and as a source of materials. It has sometimes been cultivated for medicinal use[].
Eupatorium cannabinum has sometimes escaped from cultivation and has become naturalized in some areas of Canada and china[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Eurasia - most of Europe except the far north, through Turkey and the Caucasus to Turkmenistan and Iran; N. Africa - Morocco, Algeria

Habitat

A gregarious plant of marshes and fens, streambanks and moist woods[]. By streams, in low damp sites and in woods, avoiding acid soils[, ].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Lepidoptera, Bees, Flies, Beetles, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Eupatorium cannabinum is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -25°c when fully dormant[].
An easily grown plant[], it succeeds in ordinary garden soil in sun or part shade[]. Prefers a rich moist soil[]. Grows well in marshy soils[].
A very ornamental plant[], it has a pleasant aromatic smell when cut[]. Often found as a weed in British gardens, it can be allowed to naturalize in short grass in the wild garden[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
An excellent bee and butterfly plant[, ].

Edible Uses

None known

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[]. Due to its content of alkaloids, the plant should only be used under professional supervision[].

The leaves and flowering tops are alterative, cholagogue, depurative, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, febrifuge, purgative and tonic[, , , , , ]. The plant has a long history of use as a gentle laxative that does not provoke irritation[], though excessive doses cause purging and vomiting[]. A tea made from the dried leaves will give prompt relief if taken at the onset of influenza[].
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[]. The plant is harvested in the summer and dried for later use[].

The roots are diaphoretic, laxative and tonic[]. They are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[].
Recently the plant has been found of use as an immune system stimulant, helping to maintain resistance to acute viral and other infections[].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves[]. It is used in the treatment of influenza and feverish chills[] and also for disorders of the liver, spleen and gall bladder[].

Other Uses

The leaves have been laid on bread in order to prevent it from becoming mouldy[].

The leaf juice has been rubbed onto the coats of animals as an insect repellent[].

An extract of the plant is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

A coarse fibre can be obtained from the stems[].

The leaves and roots have been used as a raw material for making black and blue dyes[].

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[]. Very easy, the clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions.