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Name
Yarrow
Botanical Name
Achillea Millefoilium
Other Names
Milfoil,
Soldier's Woundwort, Herba Militaris, Carpenter's Weed, Bloodwort,
Staunch Weed, Nosebleed, Thousand Leaf Gandana (Sanskrit), Ichi Kao
(Chinese)
Family
Asteraceae
Daisy
(Compositae) family
Parts
Used
Above ground portion.
Description
Yarrow
is a perennial, creeping Herb with tough, erect, furrowed stems.
Overview
and Mythology.
Its
English common name is a corruption of the Anglo-Saxon name gearwe ; the
Dutch, yerw. The genus name, Acillea, is named after Achilles, the Greek
hero, who was taught Herbology by the centaur Chiron, who was said to
have used Yarrow to staunch the bleeding of the warrior's wounds during
the Trojan war (1200 B.C The species name millefolium is Latin for
'thousand leaves'
For
clairvoyance people in France and Ireland, hold Yarrow over their eyes.
Dried stalks were used to throw the I Ching, an ancient Chinese system
for guidance and wisdom.
The Druids used Yarrow stems to foretell the weather.
It is added
to a compost pile to accelerate its breakdown.
When Yarrow is grown in the garden, it helps other plants nearby become
more disease resistant.
Yarrow is used to flavor tobacco and as a snuff.
Distribution
Native to Europe, Asia, and North America, now distributed in the
temperate zone worldwide. The material used in Ayurvedic medicine grows
wild in the Himalayan mountains from Kashmir
to Kumaon
Yarrow
adapts itself to new surroundings and can change its morphology and
chemical composition significantly, depending on its environment. New
subspecies evolve by polyploidy (changes in chromosome number). The
subspecies can be differentiated by their chromosome numbers.
Energetics.
Bitter,
Cool, Dry,
Pungent, Sweet
Constituents.
Essential oil
– Achillin (a
proazulene),
Azulene (azulene
works by inhibiting the release of histamine and by inhibiting the
production of inflammatory leukotrienes - leucotrines are fatty acids
which act as hormones in the body. Have an effect on ion
metabolism, renal and reproductive function, traumatic, inflammatory, immunologic
, vascular, airway and gut responses.-[azulene
has anti-inflammatory and
pain-relieving properties]
).
Borneol, Camphor, b-Caryophyllene,
Camphene,
Cineole, Eucalyptol, Eugenol, Linalool, Pinene, Sabinene, Thujone)
Sesquiterpene Lactones
composed of Guaianolides, mainly Achillitin
(aid in blood coagulation), Achillin, Leucodin, and
germAcranolides (dihydroparthenolide, Achillifolin millefin);
Organic
acids: Isovalerianic
acid, Caffeic
acid, Salicylic acid [anti-inflammatory and
pain-relieving constitutents],
Aminoacids
Alanine, Histidine,
Leucine, Lysine
Fattyacids Linoleic,
Palmitic, Oleic
.
Alkaloids
And Bases Achiceine, Achilleine, Betaine, Choline
Sugars
Dextrose, Glucose,
Mannitol, Sucrose
Vitamins Ascorbic
acid, Folic acid
Polyphenols:
Flavonoids
Apigenin,
Luteolin, Rutin, Quercitin, Kaempferol.
It is possible that its
anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties are due to its flavonoid
content.
Achilleic acid
[aid in blood clotting time and may be anti cancer agent]
Alkanes (tricosane)
Polyacetylenes;saponins
Sterols(b-sitosterol)
Caledivain
Caryophyllene
Lactones
Hydroxycoumarins
Formic acid
Asparaginaid in blood coagulation. Tannins.
3–4%
Bitters: Ivain
Minerals: Potassium, calcium,
sulphur, sodium, iron
Dosage
Recommendations
Infusion:
1–5 g in 150 ml boiled water for 10 to 15 minutes, three times daily
between meals
Internal
Applications.
Tea,
Tincture, Capsules
Medicinal Actions
Anti
Allergenic, Antibiotic, Antimicrobial, Antineoplastic,
Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Carminative, Cholagogue, Choleretic,
Cicatrigent, (Accelerates
Formation Of Scar Tissue, Decreases
Clotting Time, Diaphoretic, Digestive Tonic, Diuretic,
Emenagogue (Restores Menstrual Flow), Eupeptic (Digestive Aid),
Febrifuge, General Stimulation, Haemostatic, Hepatic,
Hypotensive, Purifies Blood, Sedative, Stimulant,
Stomach Tonic,
Stops Nose Bleeds, Toothache, Urinary Antiseptic-used in cystitis.
Used
in the following internal illnesses
Anorexia,
Appetite loss, Bright's disease, Catarrh, Chickenpox, Colds, Coronary
thrombosis, Cramps, Cystitis, Diarrhea, Dysentery, Dysmenorrhea (its
antispasmodic property), Earache, Fevers, Kidney disorders, Eczema,
Enteritis, Fever, Flatulence, Hyperacidity, Internal bleeding, Flu,
Gastritis, Hay fever, Hemorrhages,
Hepatitis,
Hot
flushes, Kidney
inflammation, Measles, Menorrhagia, Placenta delivery, Pneumonia,
Postpartum hemorrhage, Purifies the blood, Regulates menses, Rheumatism,
Shigella (dysentery), Skin irritations, Stimulates the flow of bile,
Smallpox, Thrombosis, Toothaches
Health
Benefits of Yarrow
Cardiovascular System
Yarrow helps to prevent abnormal Blood Clotting.
Digestive
System
Yarrow (tea) alleviates Colic
Yarrow alleviates the symptoms of Colitis.
Yarrow alleviates Diarrhea.
Excretory
System
Yarrow induces Perspiration (i.e. it functions as a
diaphoretic).
Yarrow stimulates the production of Urine (i.e. it functions as a
diuretic).
Immune System
Yarrow inhibits Bacillus subtilis.
Yarrow alleviates the symptoms of Measles.
Yarrow reduces the symptoms of Smallpox.
Metabolism
Yarrow lowers elevated Blood Sugar (Glucose) levels and
preserves Glycogen levels in Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 patients.
Respiratory
System
Yarrow (tea) alleviates Hay Fever.
Sexual
System
Yarrow (tea) alleviates the Pain associated with Pre-Menstrual
Syndrome (PMS) (according to some European doctors).
Skin
Yarrow restricts Sebum secretion and helps to close the Pores of
the Skin.
Yarrow (extract derived from simmering flowers and leaves) suppresses
Skin Inflammation, cleanses the Skin, sloughs off dead Skin Cells and
helps to close the Pores of the Skin.
Yarrow
Interferes with these Substances
Minerals
Yarrow interferes with the absorption of Iron.
External Medicinal Use
Asthma,
Balding, Bleeding, Eczema, Gingivitis, Hay Fever, Hemorrhoids, Insect
Repellent, Leucorrhoea, Migraine, Nosebleeds, Oily Skin, Toothache,
Varicose Veins, Wounds
External
Applications.
Sitz bath: 100 g yarrow per 20 liters (5 gallons)
of warm or hot water, just enough to cover the hips with the knees up;
wrap upper body in towels; soak 10 to 20 minutes, rinse
Poultice of fresh
leaves helps to stop bleeding of wounds and cuts.
Fresh leaves are placed in the nose to stop nosebleeds and treat
migraines.
Use as a bath herb.
Treat asthma and hay fever by inhaling herb while boiling in water.
Makes a facial steam and toner for oily skin.
Wash
for eczema.
Rub Yarrow on the skin to repel insects.
Compress for varicose veins.
Hair rinse for hair loss.
Enema or compress for hemorrhoids.
Chew fresh leaf for a toothache.
Mouthwash for inflamed gums.
Douche for leucorrhoea.
Poultice for spider bites.
Place herb on rocks in a sauna or sweat lodge
Contra indications and side effect
Rare
Overuse
may cause skin photosensitivity, dizziness and headaches in some people.
May cause urine to appear brownish, which is no cause for alarm.
Use During Pregnancy And Lactation.
Not
recommended during pregnancy
Yarrow
can help deliver the placenta
immediately
after birth
Interactions with Other Drugs.
None
known.
Doctrine of signatures
Creeping root system --indicates use in blood ailments
Many segmented leaf shows use in a multitude of dis eases
Fine silky hairs on leaves shows use in skin maladies.
Astrology.
Libra
Influenced by Venus, Mars, Moon
Chakra
Every
Chakra -
indeed one of the wonder herbs.
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