The burrs attach themselves to the clothing as one comes in contact with them, hence the common names, cockle-burr and stickwort. It is employed in domestic practice on the continent as a gargle. The aborigines and Canadians used the root in the treatment of intermittent febrile states. According to Linnaeus, a grateful beverage was prepared by steeping the plant in whey. Porcher states that an infusion of the leaves and stalks, previously treated with a weak bismuth solution, permanently dyes wool a beautiful, golden color, and that tanners employed the flowers in preparing soft and delicate hides.
French peasants use it as a substitute for tea.
Agrimony yields its properties to water and alcohol. Tannin and a volatile oil are the only known chemical constituents, the latter being obtained by distillation. Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. A decoction of it is highly recommended in bowel complaints , leucorrhoea, chronic mucous diseases, chronic affections of the digestive organs, profuse bleedings , of an asthenic character, certain cutaneous diseases, icterus , etc. Dr. D. C. Payne speaks highly of a continued use of a decoction of this plant in the treatment of erysipelas and scrofulous affections , to be used freely, in connection with diet and regularity of the bowels.