Yarrow --- *Achillea millefolium* (Compositae) Family: Asteraceae **Blackfoot:** Áóhtoksóoki – Achillea millefolium L. (Pine Stem) **German:** Schafgarbe, Bauchwehkraut, Jungfrauenkraut, Blutstillkraut oder Achilleskraut Garbe kommt vom althochdeutschen Garwe = Gesundmacher. As much as insects and grazing animals are drawn to this plant, as useful it can be for us humans to tonify our internal organs and to heal issues with the skin. Yarrow soothes nerves, stops bleeding in small wounds, increases circulation, heals inflammation, resolves cramping and hardened phlegm with its slightly cooling and astringend properties. In folk medicine Achillea as been long reverred as a great healer in many cultures across the northern hemisphere. The part of its name „millefollium“ means a thousand leaves and relates to their fine-feathered appearance. Since the leaf shape is similar to an eye, Yarrow has been called the eye of Venus, the goddess of love, beauty and grace. The old saying "Schafgarbe im Leib tut wohl jedem Weib" (Yarrow in the body does well every female) attests to the fact that Yarrow is particularly helpful to women on their moon time and during (peri)menopause. Generally, all genders benefit from few cups of tea a day experiencing discomforts, especially those connected to issues of digestion and ailments in the stomach, GI tract and the gallbladder. The calming effects are helpful to improve sleep patterns and alleviate nervousness. Energetically, Yarrow is used to ward of evil spirits. It is said, for instance, "das die tausend kleinen Blätter den Teufel dazu verleiten sollten seiner Zähllust zu verfallen" ( thousand small leaves seduce the devil to start counting and forget his initial evil intentions over having to count all over again and again). Being associated with the planet Venus (white or rose blooming flowers), the Moon (silver underside of leaves) and Jupiter (strong stems), Yarrow has a strong affinity to the human heart and circulatory system. On the emotional and spiritual levels, Yarrow can help heal broken hearts and set better personal boundaries. On the physical level, Yarrow it is useful for many ailments connected to blood flow, circulation and the associated organ systems. The stems of the plant have been used to foresee the future by Druids and Chinese in separate places, at different times and in each unique ways. In fact, the uses of Yarrow are so manifold that it's hard to capture its wondrous workings on just a few pages. Be therefore ready to establish your own relationship with this beautiful plant, whom you can find in great abundance in many places across the northern hemisphere. They particularly like open grasslands and meadow spaces where where the winds can strengthen the stems and where they get abundant sunshine. ## Energetics and Actions **Part used:** herb, root, essential oil, flower essence. **Herbal action:** Diaphoretic, astringent, hemostatic, stimulant **Energetics:** cooling, drying, stimulating **Primary Actions:** Vulnerary, hemostatic, antiseptic/antibacterial, astringent, bitter, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, vasodilator, antipyretic, emmenagogue, diuretic **Secondary Actions:** Carminative, cholagogue, expectorant, hypotensive, antispasmodic, venotonic indeed a very versatile plant ailment action use and ingredients 1. bleading + wound healing (external and internal) adstringent and anti-inflammatory best to use green leaves alkaloid: Achillein 1. digestive upsets and cholics strengthening and stimulating bitter tonic with duretic properties tannins: Sesquiterpenlactone; coumarins 1. colds, flu soothing diaphoretic; fever-lowering; blood cleansing, stimulating when taken hot as infusion (1) , it increases body temperature and aids elimation of wastes through open pores and sweating; (1) yarrow flower together with Peppermint leaves and elder flower (1:1:1) 1. allergies anti-inflammatory 1. cramps (e.g. menstruation) soothing and relaxing volatile oil: Chamazulen ## Key Constitutents Die Pflanze verfügt über ätherische Öle (Chamazulen), den Bitterstoff Achillein, Cumarine, Flavonoide, Gerbstoffe, Harze, Inulin, Kalium, Kupfer, Vitamin C und Eiweiß. Das Chlorophyll enthält eine ähnliche Substanz wie Vitamin A. Sie weist bestimmte Eigenschaften auf, die damit in Verbindung stehen. Alkaloids: achilleine - reduces clotting time, astringent **Volatile oils:** thujone, pinenes, azulenes, eugenol, camphor, borneol, cineole, limonene - stimulant, hypotensive, carminative Sesquiterpene lactones: achillin, millefin - bitter, cholagogue, **Flavonoids:** rutin, apigenin, luteolin - anti-inflammatory, vulnerary, antioxidant **Phenolic acids:** salicylic acid, caffeic acid - anti-inflammatory, vulnerary, antioxidant **Tannins** - astringent **Coumarins** - venotonic ## Indications **Medicinal uses:** Yarrow is considered both the “master of the blood” and “master of fever”. It is well known for its diaphoretic effect. This herb runs the spectrum from clotting, un- clotting, neurovascular control, flavonoids – it regulated the flow of blood to and from the surface. A hot infusion (tea) of the dried herb or flowers helps to promote sweating by dilating the capillaries at the skin’s surface. The continued use of a warm infusion arouses capillary action on the skin, securing slow perspiration, and elevating the temperature, opening and softening the skin. This helps cool the body and removes toxins. This also contributes to the circulatory action of lowering blood pressure. Yarrow exerts a positive influence directly on the uterus and its circulation, rather than indirectly via the endocrine system. It is recommended in many women’s Materia Medica. Yarrow has such a strong indication for blood and bleeding that it is very functional as a women’s herb. It is particularly used for stagnant blood, as in amenorrhea when the blood builds up in the uterus. Maria Trebens suggests every woman drink yarrow tea once in a while during her reproductive years, as a preventative, just to clear out any stagnant blood. Essence of anise disguises its bitterness well. Yarrow is also useful for pelvic congestion, reducing excessive flow and pain due to engorged pelvic veins. It is a uterine stimulant and antispasmodic, relieving painful and delayed menstruation. It may be used internally and as a douche for leucorrhoea and for cervical erosion. Common Yarrow is sometimes thought of as the medicine chest of the prairies because it can be used to heal many things. If you make a tea of the leaves and flowers, the tea can be rubbed on your sore stomach. Drink it if you have gas. It is good to drink when your throat is sore. Use the tea to rub on other sore body parts or mush up the leaves and put the mush on swollen area. Our elders gave the tea to women who were giving birth. The tea helped with the pain of delivery of the baby and to quicken the afterbirth. Yarrow tea helps to heal and clean the inside of your body, as well. If you drink a lot of this tea, it helps your liver and kidneys get rid of the toxins. Elder Carolla Calf Robe told us that yarrow is very good for your blood. When you mix it with other herbs, it can help with blood pressure and blood clots. She also told us that when you are out on the land and you get a cut, you can use a fresh yarrow flower to stop the bleeding. Rolling a yarrow leaf and sticking it in your nostril helps stop a nosebleed. Another great thing to use a yarrow tea for is as an insect repellant. Bugs hate the smell of yarrow! Our elders would treat a horse’s sore eyes with a tea of yarrow and they would also put mush on sore areas on the horse’s body. A tea was used to heal cuts on the horse. Look for yarrow in open sunny places on the prairie. It often grows in places where the earth has been disturbed and so some people think that yarrow helps heal the wounds of the earth too. Carolla told us that it is a very common plant on the prairie. Wild yarrow has tiny white flowers that are occasionally a light pink. They grow in clusters of 10-30 flowers at the top of a stem that is about 7.5 cm long. The stem has blue green leaves that look wooly. You will see the flowers from June to early September. Sometimes you smell yarrow before you see it because it is so aromatic. Achillea millefolium History: The story represented etymologically in its generic name “Achillea” dates back many years to the time when Achilles made a potion from yarrow as a healing agent for the wounds of his soldiers after the battle of Troy. Legend reports that he first learned of its uses from Chiron, the centaur. The species name 'millefolium’ means “many leaves”. Yarrow is the famous stalk chosen by the ancient Chinese sages for consulting the I Ching. ## Identification and location Yarrow is an aromatic herb approximately three to seven dm in height. Its composite flower heads are umbelled, and its flowers are white or rarely pink. The alternate leaves are very finely pinnate or plumlike and covered with wool-like hairs. The plant dries standing from fall until spring as a brown skeletal replica of itself. circumboreal, native to temperate North America, Europe and Asia Very adaptable - can grow in the mountains at high elevations, in the desert, beaches, meadows, sun and shade Size depends on habitat, will grow 10-75cm tall Leaves are alternate, thrice pinnately compound, finely divided, “feathery”, and leaf bases sheath around the stem. Flowers are in a corymb, 15-40 flowers per head, each flower is small (2-5mm) with 5 petals, white or sometimes pinkish. Flowers usually appear in the mid summer, around early July. Somewhat easy to grow if it’s in a place it likes. The constituents will be stronger if it struggles. Put it somewhere gravelly, sandy, well-drained. Likes the sun Don’t use the cultivar variations, they won’t be as strong medicinally. Use the native species. Very common and abundant. Often on lawns. Can start from seed or transplants **Part Used:** Whole herb, especially dried flower heads (gathered when they go into bloom). **Solvents:** Water, Alcohol. **Chemical Constituents:** achillein, achilleic acid, tannin, volatile body, resinoid body, lactones (achillin), coumarins, saponins, nitrates and phosphates. **Therapeutic Action:** Diaphoretic (Hot), Diuretic (cold), Astringent, Tonic, stimulant. ## Uses Yarrow is a strong, soothing diaphoretic. When taken hot in infusion form, it will increase body temperature, open skin pores, stimulate free perspiration, and equalize the circulation, making it one of the most valuable herbs for cold and fevers. In opening the pores, which results in increased elimination, it purifies the blood of morbid waste material produced in sickness. Yarrow regulates the function of the liver and is especially beneficial through its influence on secretion throughout the entire alimentary canal. Yarrow will never weaken a person, for its tonic action is most invigorating and will greatly assist nature’s actions to remove congestion and disease. One of the best uses for yarrow that I have found is its ability to stop bleeding quite quickly and assist in the healing process. The green leaves are best for this, although dried leaves and the flower heads may also be used. Yarrow is mildly antibiotic against bacteria and possesses hypotensive and anti-inflammatory properties. As an enema for piles and hemorrhages of the bowel, inject two tablespoons of yarrow infusion several times after each stool. The Indians also used the dried leaves of yarrow together with plantain to halt internal bleeding, especially of the lungs. The juice of yarrow was obtained by distillation and has been reported to stop hair loss. It is also valuable in treating leucorrhea. The Ojibwa Indians used the florets as incense in ceremonies and also burned it to allay fevers. Yarrow is used to treat nosebleeds in a peculiar way: you simply insert a roll of yarrow into the nostril — the bleeding will stop shortly. For a severe sinus headache, insert a roll of yarrow into the nostril. A nosebleed will result, thereby relieving pressure on the head, and as a result, the headache. If you have a bleeding nose and you want to stop it, use yarrow. If you don’t have a bleeding nose but want one (to relieve sinus headache), use yarrow. It is quite an accomodating plant. Yarrow tea was often used as a drink by the Blackfoot Indians to hasten delivery. It was also used to expel afterbirth. Yarrow was listed officially in the U.S.P. from 1863 to 1882. ## Primary Uses **Immune:** Helps to break a fever, induce sweating (diaphoretic, vasodilator) Must be a hot tea or tincture in hot water. Slightly immune stimulating **Digestive:** For someone with sluggish digestion and poor assimilation of nutrients: stimulates appetite, digestive secretions, helps to digest fats, proteins Tea for inflammatory gut conditions (IBS, ulcers, colitis, diverticulitis) that are characterised by looser stools, low assimilation, bleeding. * Important to get medical care for diagnosis. GI infections **Generative:** Heavy uterine bleeding - could be from fibroids, menstruation, postpartum. * Important to get medical care for diagnosis. Helps to stimulate a suppressed/delayed menstruation. Decreases menstrual blood clotting and can help reduce menstrual cramping. Clinical trial of 91 university students with dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) showed improvement compared to placebo **Circulatory:** Hemorrhoids, varicose veins (topical). Strengthens blood vessels, reduces inflammation For people who tend towards trapped heat patterns - flushed face, high blood pressure, warm core and cold extremities, tension. Use cooler preps. **First aid:** cuts, wounds, abrasions, bruises, sprains and strains, tendonitis - use topical as poultice or oil/salve. Research shows activity against strep, staph, clostridium, e coli, candida. Reduces scarring topically, vs placebo. ## Secondary uses: For urinary tract infections, mix with demulcents and other antimicrobials. Reduce excessive mucus secretions in respiratory mucosa - lung congestion, colds, allergies, sinusitis. Think about when tissues are boggy, damp, moist, lacking tone, inflamed. Also stanches nosebleeds, gum bleeding. Post ejaculation urinary pain Flower essence - helps sensitive and empathic people create healthy boundaries “patching holes in the aura” ## What other Practitioners say about you ## Safety * Avoid during pregnancy and in young children. Thujone and eugenol are neurotoxins that can disrupt nervous system development * Avoid long term high doses, neurotoxins can accumulate, can be too drying and increase phototoxicity, meaning discomfort when spending time in the sunshin * Caution internally with dry, cold, deficient constitutions over the long term especially with higher doses longer than 1 wk * Avoid with hypersensitivity to aster family plants. Test by rubbing the plant into arm pit. When there's reddening and itching, avoid use. ## Preparation and dosage **Topical** Infused oil (intermediary extract) for unbroken skin powder/poultice for broken skin **Tea** About 2 g (1-2 tsp) dried herb per cup of tea, steep covered for 10-15 mins, drink 1-3 cups/day or hourly during acute fever. Should work to reduce a fever within a day. In formula, about 10-15% of a tea, for gut inflammation long term or short term UTI. About 1-4g daily. Quite challenging tasting if it’s more than 20% of a formula. As a curative long-term treatment, Yarrow should only be consumed as tea for about a month. **Steam** The steam of the tea can be inhaled to help loosen dried up mucus in the respiratory system. **Sitzbad** Indicated for women's ailments such as cramping and back pain can be wonderfully soothed with Yarrow. Prepare a sitzbad by brewing 100 g of herb with 1,5 litre of boiling water which is left to sit for 20 minutes before adding it to the bath water. **Tincture** 10-15 drops 2x/day for long term use in chronic conditions Usually about 10-15% of a formula, or about 1-2 ml daily 1-2 ml in hot water every hour for a fever, up to 12 ml daily. Fresh 1:2 at 95%, or dried 1:5 at 65-70%. High alcohol will be stronger, but you can use 40 or 50% if you tincture it dried. **Salve** Use for inflammation, eczema, acne by regularly applying the self to the areas in question. The flavonoids in the south will prevent bacterial or viral growth and thus support the regeneration of the cells. Yarrow can also alleviate the pain and stop the bleeding in haemorrhoids is applied regularly to the area. By increasing circulation and blood flow, Yarrow also works to address cellulitis when applied to the areas one or two times a day together with a massage for a few minutes. This procedure is particularly effective after showering hot and cold. **Smoke cleanse** Light stems, flowers and leaves when wanting to balance emotionally and physically, or to enhance protection for somebody. The smoke works to increase spiritual awareness and intuition.