Agrimonia pilosa, commonly known as hairy agrimony, has a long history of use in traditional East Asian medicine, particularly in Chinese and Korean herbal practices. In these systems, Agrimonia pilosa is often included in formulas aimed at addressing conditions such as edema, which is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissues. The traditional rationale is based on its reputed "diuretic" and "dampness-resolving" properties, which are believed to help promote urination and reduce swelling.

Historical texts, such as the Compendium of Materia Medica and various pharmacopeias, list Agrimonia pilosa among herbs that "remove dampness" and "relieve swelling." However, scientific validation for these effects is limited. Some pharmacological studies indicate that Agrimonia pilosa contains flavonoids, tannins, and other phytochemicals with potential anti-inflammatory and mild diuretic properties in animal models, but these findings remain preliminary and are not directly tied to clinical outcomes for edema in humans.

In summary, the use of Agrimonia pilosa for edema is primarily justified by traditional usage, with minimal scientific evidence currently available to substantiate its efficacy for this specific condition.