The Universal Herbal: Agrimonia Eupatoria; Common Agrimony.

The Universal Herbal;
or botanical, medical and agricultural dictonary.
Containing an account of All the known Plants in the World, arranged according to the Linnean system. Specifying the uses to which they are or may be applied, whether as food, as medicine, or in the arts and manufactures.
With the best methods of propagation, and the most recent agricultural improvements.
collected from indisputable Authorities.
Adapted to the use of the farmer - the gardener - the husbandman - the botanist - the florist - and country housekeepers in general.
By Thomas Green.
Vol. I
Liverpool.
Printed at the Caxton Press by Henri Fisher.
Printer in Ordinary to His Majesty.
1824Stem-leaves Pinnate; the end-lobe petiolate; fruits hispid. — This plant is only a foot and a half in height; it is a native of woods, shady places, hedges and borders of cornfields in Great Britain, and most parts of Europe. It is perennial, and flowers in June and July. The root in spring is sweet-scented; the fresh-gathered flowers smell like apricots. Kalm informs us that the Canadians use an infusion of the root in burning fevers with great success. Dr. Hill affirms, that an infusion of six ounces of the crown of the root, in a quart of boiling water, sweetened with honey, and half a pint of it drank three times a day, is an effectual cure for the jaundice. He advises to begin with a vomit, afterwards to keep the bowels soluble, and to continue the medicine as long, as any symptoms of the disease remain. The leaves, which make a pleasant tea, and are said to be serviceable in hemorrhages, and in obstructions of the liver and spleen, are used either fresh or dried. They have been recommended in the jaundice, but are found by experience to be salutary in the diabetes, and incontinence of urine. This plant is also one of the famous vulnerary herbs, and an ingredient in the genuine arquebusade-water. It is frequent, according to Meyrick in dry pastures; and is a mild corroborant, of great efficacy in all such disorders as arise from a lax habit of body: its roots appear to possess the properties of the Peruvian bark in a very considerable degree, without manifesting any of its inconvenient qualities; and if taken in pretty large doses, either in decoction or powder, seldom fails to cure the ague. The leaves, digested in whey, afford an useful diet-drink for the spring, particularly for such as are troubled with scorbutic complaints. The country people also use them by way of cataplasm in contusions and fresh wounds. If gathered when it is coming into flower, this plant will dye wool of a good bright full nankeen colour; but if gathered in September, the yellow colour will be darker. As it gives a good dye at all times, and is a common plant easily cultivated, it deserves the notice of the dyers: in the Berlin Acts it is recommended for dressing leather. Sheep and goats eat it; but kine, horses, and swine refuse it. There are two varieties of this species, the White Agrimony, and the Sweet-scented Agrimony, both natives of Italy. The leaves of the latter emit an agreeable odour, and also make a pleasant cooling tea, which is an excellent beverage for persons in a fever.