Yarrow

Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium) is a plant so common it’s easy to overlook the fact it’s steeped in myth and legend and has been a valued plant ally to human beings for around 60,000 years. It was discovered in Neanderthal graves buried with the bodies. Like dandelions and plantain, it’s a medicinal herb that grows all over the world and is highly prized, almost a go-to herb, by anyone who works with plant allies.

- Its astringent and styptic properties make it a great wound herb as it stops the bleeding and kills the bacteria in the wound. In times gone by it was the herb of choice on the battlefield, hence it’s often known colloquially as ‘Soldier’s Woundwort’.

- Strengthens circulation by dilating capiliaries, bringing blood and oxygen to the entire body.

- Disperses blood congestion and tones the vein walls which helps to reduce atherosclerosis.

- Yarrow is a bitter herb so stimulates digestion and bile secretion, preventing gallstones.

- Very beneficial for women’s health. It can both lessen heavy menstuation or can encourage menstruation to happen. It tones and tightens all muscles including uterus muscles. Its anti-spasmodic, and anti-inflammatory action relieves menstrual cramps and aids fertility by reducing pelvic congestion. Also relieves the pain brought on by endometriosis.

- Prevents and treats ulcers and dyspepsia.

- Sedates and calms frayed nerves.

- Like Willow bark, Yarrow is a natural source of salicylic acid (Aspirin) Natural sources of salicylic acid are given to patients in hospitals when synthetic aspirin destroys their stomach lining.

- Helpful for heart palpitations and convulsions.

- Yarrow is a known hepaprotective herb (Protects the liver) and can be used to treat many liver disorders including jaundice and hepatitis.

- Has even been used to treat Malaria.

- Greatly eases the symptoms of colds and flus by removing excess mucus from the body.

- During WWII the Ministry of Health recruited children and adults to forage for, and use, Yarrow due to pharmaceutical shortages.

- Effective against bacterial pneumonia and E.Coli.

- Laboratory studies have revealed that Yarrow is useful for treating polio.

-Burning Yarrow essential oil eliminates all pathogens from the immediate vicinity as well as soothing respiratory inflammation and relieving coughs.

*PLEASE NOTE:

Only Yarrow harvested from nature, with white or pink flowers, can be used for medicine. There are several ornamental species of Yarrow known as ‘Achillea’ you will find in garden centres, these are NOT used for medicine.

Whilst this has never happened to me in my own personal experiences with Yarrow, it is said that some people can experience a degree of heightened photosensitivity when using Yarrow.

Anyone taking blood pressure medication should seek advice from their doctor before adding Yarrow to their health regimen. Expectant mothers should not take it either as it may stimulate uterine contractions, provoking miscarriage.

But all that said, remember, Yarrow is a very safe herb to use for most people, most of the time, and a very effective one too.