Eupatorium cannabinum - Hemp Agrimony

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.5
Width:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	Most of Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa, western and central Asia.

Eupatorium cannabinum (Hemp Agrimony) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.5m and a width of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 5and is vunerable to frost.
Hemp Agrimony will flower in January to March. the seeds ripen from February to April
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles, lepidoptera, self

Soil Information

Hemp Agrimony will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Hemp Agrimony prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Hemp Agrimony can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

By streams, in low damp sites and in woods, avoiding acid soils[7, 13].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant[233], it succeeds in ordinary garden soil in sun or part shade[200]. Prefers a rich moist soil[187]. Grows well in marshy soils[21]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[187]. A very ornamental plant[1], it has a pleasant aromatic smell when cut[4]. Often found as a weed in British gardens, it can be allowed to naturalize in short grass in the wild garden[233]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. An excellent bee and butterfly plant[24, 108].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
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[254]. Due to its content of alkaloids, the plant should only be used under professional supervision[254]. The leaves and flowering tops are alterative, cholagogue, depurative, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, febrifuge, purgative and tonic[4, 7, 9, 21, 46, 238]. The plant has a long history of use as a gentle laxative that does not provoke irritation[7], though excessive doses cause purging and vomiting[238]. A tea made from the dried leaves will give prompt relief if taken at the onset of influenza[4]. 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[238]. The plant is harvested in the summer and dried for later use[7]. The roots are diaphoretic, laxative and tonic[7]. They are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238]. Recently the plant has been found of use as an immune system stimulant, helping to maintain resistance to acute viral and other infections[254]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves[4]. It is used in the treatment of influenza and feverish chills[4] and also for disorders of the liver, spleen and gall bladder[9].

• Alterative - Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.
• Antitumor - Preventing, or effective against, tumors, it is used in the treatment of cancer. Probably synonymous with Cytotoxic.
• Cholagogue - Increases the flow of bile and its discharge from the body.
• Depurative - Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
• Diaphoretic - Induces perspiration.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Emetic - Induces vomiting.
• Expectorant - Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Homeopathy - A plant used in homeopathic treatments.
• Laxative - Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
• Purgative - A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

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

Scented parts of the plants

Plant : Crushed

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

The leaves have been laid on bread in order to prevent it from becoming mouldy[4]. The leaf juice has been rubbed onto the coats of animals as an insect repellent[7].

• Preservative - For food, or for treating wood, ropes etc.
• Repellent - Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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