|
|
|
Yarrow Essential Oil
Yarrow - Of all plants, yarrow has one of the longest histories of medicinal usage.
|
 Yarrow Achillea millefolium Some research indicates that the Neanderthals possibly used it as far back as 60,000 years ago. From the ancient Chinese and Greeks through modern times, yarrow has been an important and versatile herbal medicine. Three thousand years ago, during the Trojan war, Achilles used yarrow on his soldiers’ wounds to stop bleeding. Hence, the generic name Achillea and the name Millefolium is derived from the the many segments of its foliage.
Yarrow is a fragrant, flowering plant whose habits are rather variable. One or several stiff stems may grow from the root. They are usually between one and two feet tall but are occasionally shorter, and may be smooth-or rough-textured. The leaves are larger at the base and progressively smaller toward the top of the stalks and are arranged alternately. They clasp the stems at their bases and are delicate and finely divided, resembling feathers more than leaves. Yarrow blooms from June to September and are in flat-topped clusters at the ends of the stems. The individual "flowers" are very small, with fine white "petals" and a yellowish center. This "flower" is actually two separate, distinct male and female flowers. The female flowers are in the yellow center surrounded by five white "petals," each one of which is a male flower.
Yarrow was a very important herb for the Native American Indians in which at least 46 tribes used it for 28 different ailments. British herbalists John Gerard and Nicholas Culpeper noted the use of yarrow for swelling and wounds. The plant was called nosebleed in the 16th century due to its ability to cause a nosebleed, an old remedy for headaches. Yarrow appeared in the US Pharmacopoeia during the 19th century and in European pharmacopoeias of this century. The Blackfoot used an infusion of yarrow leaf and flower for an eye wash. The Winnebago steeped the whole plant and poured the liquid into an aching ear. Greek physician Dioscorides smeared yarrow on ulcers to prevent inflammation. In the 1500s, the British herbalist John Gerard recommended it for relieving "swelling of those secret parts.
Throughout history yarrow has been used for treatment of wounds and inflammation, spawning the name Herba Militaris, the military herb in ancient Greece. In the 1950s an alkaloid from yarrow was found to make blood clot faster. These findings concur with the historical usage of yarrow as a vulnerary, an herb which promotes the healing of cuts, wounds and burns by protecting against infection and stimulating cell growth. Yarrow contains azulene, a volatile oil which has an anti-inflammatory activity. This presents some insight into how yarrow has been used for ulcers, rashes and as an eyewash. Fresh yarrow poultices were used in China for all wounds (including dog bites and snake bites) while the dried herb was used for internal bleeding (including menstrual and hemorrhoidal bleeding).
|
 Yarrow's leaves, according to Gerard, close up wounds and staunch bleeding. The whole plant -- especially the flower heads -- served as a natural dye. Culpeper tells us that a decoction of yarrow, used to bathe the head, "stayeth the shedding of hair." Yarrow was said to be "excellent to stop inward bleeding." Yarrow was dried, powdered, and mixed with Plantain or comfrey water (both were famous wound herbs) or used by itself fresh, as a poultice for wounds that would not stop bleeding. These preparations were said to immediately stop the flow of blood. Dried and powdered Yarrow leaves, if dropped into the nostrils, stopped nosebleed. A decoction of Yarrow in white wine was drunk as a remedy for too copious menstruation. For the same purpose, large amounts of the fresh plants were boiled in water, and the patient sat over the beneficial steam to absorb it.
Yarrow also has an excellent history of usage for colds, flu and fevers due to its diaphoretic and febrifuge qualities which, respectively, cool the body and reduce fever. The tea is commonly used at the beginning of a fever, often with a little honey and cayenne pepper. It has also been used for the onset of measles and other eruptive diseases. Yarrow contains similar derivatives to aspirin or salicylic acid which help reduce pain and fever.
The Shakers knew of yarrow. They used it in a variety of complaints ranging from hemorrhage to flatulence. It was used enough to be included in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1836 to 1882. As of 1982, yarrow still appeared in the pharmacopoeias of Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Switzerland. In Sweden it is called "Field Hop" and has been used in the manufacture of beer.
Yarrow has been prescribed by herbalists for high blood pressure and the threat of blood clotting, or thrombosis. It is said to stimulates the digestion and tone the blood vessels. The use of yarrow is indicated in infections such as cystitis for use as a urinary antiseptic. It is useful to stop hemorrhage of the lungs, bowels, and other internal bleeding. Also used for influenza, measles, smallpox, chicken pox, fevers and acute catarrh of the respiratory tract. Yarrow has influence over dyspepsia, amenorrhea, suppressed or restrained menses and in menorrhagia or profuse continued menstruation.Chewing the leaves will frequently ease the pain of a toothacheUsed externally it will aid in the healing of wounds. Yarrow is a good insect repellent. You may splash on the body in tea form, or rub the flowers on the body to repel mosquitoes.Yarrow tea makes a good mouthwash for canker sores. It is said to tighten the uterus and to cause contractions to bring down the placenta after bearing a child. Thus, it is contraindicated for pregnant women. Externally, decoction and poultices are used for surface or subcutaneous skin conditions.Clinically, recent recognition has been given to extracts and decoctions for stomach sickness, especially ulcers, and for bleeding and gastritis. Apply yarrow tea or expressed fresh yarrow juice compress to sore nipples.The infusion may be used in the early stages of colds.
Also Known as:- Yarrow, Bad Man's Plaything, Carpenter's Weed, Death Flower, Devil's Nettle, Eerie, Field hops, Gearwe, Hundred Leaved Grass, Knight's Milefoil, Knyghten, Milefolium, Noble Yarrow, Nosebleed, Old Man's Mustard, Old Man's Pepper, Sanguinary, Seven Year's Love, Snake's Grass, Soldier's Woundwort, Stanch Weed, Thousand Seal, Wound Wort, Yarroway, Yerw.
|
|
| Yarrow Essential Oil from |
 |
|
|
