Indian chestnut, Agrimony
Agrimonia pilosa

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 60-100 cm high. It keeps growing from year to year. The leaves are divided into leaflets along the stalk. The leaflets are narrowly oval and have teeth along the edge. They are hairy on both surfaces. The flowers are yellow and in groups at the ends of the branches. The fruit is enclosed in a hard, bristly covering.

There are 15 Agrimonia species. They grow in the northern temperate zones. The leaves are rich in vitamin K and are used to promote blood clotting and control bleeding. It has anticancer properties. It has Estrogen-like activity.

Where it is found

It is a temperate climate plant. It grows naturally in the lowlands and mountains all over Japan. It does best on calcareous soils and in a sunny position. In Nepal it grows between 1,000-3,000 m altitude. In China it grows between 100-3,800 m above sea level. It grows in open forests and on mountain sides. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Europe, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Russia, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten cooked. The leaves are bitter and are eaten after boiling. The seeds are dried and ground into a meal and mixed with noodles. CAUTION: It should probably only be eaten in small amounts.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves

How it is grown

Fresh seed usually germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 13°C. Seeds can be sown in a nursery then transplanted out. Plants can also be grown by division of the clump. Plants are harvested as they come into flower and can be dried for later use in medicine.

Its other names

Local names

Chihao, Kin-Mizu-Hiki, Longgia, Mocbac Nepal, Taniom, Tanion, Tienhac

Synonyms

Agrimonia dahurica (Willd.); Agrimonia eupatorium Linnaeus; Agrimonia lanata Wallich ex Wallroth; Agrimonia nepalensis D. Don;