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eupatorium cannabinum - L.

Common Name Hemp Agrimony
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats By streams, in low damp sites and in woods, avoiding acid soils[7, 13].
Range Most of Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa, western and central Asia.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
eupatorium cannabinum Hemp Agrimony


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eupatorium_cannabinum_Sturm4.jpg
eupatorium cannabinum Hemp Agrimony
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Svdmolen

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
eupatorium cannabinum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Alterative  Antitumor  Cholagogue  Depurative  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Emetic  Expectorant  
Febrifuge  Homeopathy  Laxative  Purgative  Tonic

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].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Preservative  Repellent

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].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

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].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Eupatorium cannabinumHemp AgrimonyPerennial1.5 4-8  LMHSNMWe031
Eupatorium capillifoliumDogfennelPerennial3.0 3-10  LMHSNM011
Eupatorium chinense Perennial1.8 6-9  LMHSNM121
Eupatorium compositifoliumYankeeweedPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNM011
Eupatorium hyssopifoliumHyssopleaf thoroughwortPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNM011
Eupatorium japonicumPei LanPerennial2.0 6-9  LMHSNM13 
Eupatorium lindleyanum Perennial1.0 6-9  LMHSNM021
Eupatorium maculatumJoe Pye Weed, Spotted joe pye weedPerennial1.5 3-7 MLMHSNM021
Eupatorium perfoliatumThoroughwort, Boneset, Common bonesetPerennial1.2 0-0  LMHSNM03 
Eupatorium purpureumGravel RootPerennial2.0 3-9 FLMHSNM132

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

ma thanegi   Sun Nov 5 2006

This plant is called Bee Sut in Burmese and at present used in Myanmar to cure many diseases. Boiled for 24 hours in several pots of water for one batch of planbts (flowers, leves, stems, roots, everything) and very thick liquid obtained in boiled down into a black, thick paste. Taken mixed with honey, a demitasse spoonful each day followed by a mug of hot water, NEVER cold water. No bathing (shpwer) for an hour after taking it. This medicine induces presipration that cleans out toxins in the body.

ma thanegi   Sun Nov 5 2006

The Hemp Agrimony we have in Myanmar called Bee Sut that we use for medicine has small yellow flowers that bloom seoperately (not in clusters. The flowers are like buds: 0.8 cm from top to bottom. Leaves are tapered, saw tooth edges. We cook them in sour soups made with ripe Tamarind fruit pulp and dried prawns or fish. I have sent an earlier email but checking on other sitres found the flower of the same name Hemp Agrimony clusters of pink with pointed leaves.

phyu phyu aung win   Fri Jan 25 2008

this leave isn`t relieve AIDS?

David   Tue Mar 25 2008

We are in Australia. Where do we get this Bee Sut?

   Apr 23 2015 12:00AM

Alot of eupatorium species contain amabiline which is hepatoxic. Even tho E. purpureum and E. cannabinum ( the first contains less amabilin ) have hepaprotective effects in dosages large enough have significant cytotoxicity and hepatoxicity. caution is advised.

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