Yarrow

(Latin name: Achillea millefolium)

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), is a flowering plant that is common in North America but is native to the regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Europe and Asia. In addition to being known as “Yarrow,” Achillea millefolium is also known by other names such as Bloodwort, Soldier’s Woundwort, Stanchweed, Thousand Seal, Old Man’s Pepper, Devil’s Nettle, Thousand leaf, Gordaldo, Nosebleed Plant, Milfoil, Carpenter’s Weed, and Death Flower.

Yarrow is a resilient perennial plant that grows in clusters of tiny white, pink, or reddish flowers atop of various sized stalks. The size of the stalks is dependent on the seasonal rainfall. Yarrow plants generally flower from the months of May to July with an active growth period occurring in the spring. Yarrow’s leaves and flowers contain such compounds as vitamin C, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, bitters, phenolic acids (including salicylate), coumarins, sterols, stimulating camphor, and antiseptic pinenes to name a few.

Yarrow’s Benefits and Uses

Yarrow has been used as a medicinal herb in many cultures for thousands of years. Throughout history, especially on the battlefield, it was used for its ability to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, fight off infections, soothe spasms, and decrease blood flow quickly for the soldiers who were wounded.

Yarrow and its many North American varieties were traditionally used among numerous Native American tribes. The Navajo tribe considered Yarrow as “life medicine,” they chewed the plant for toothaches and used its infusions for earaches. The Miwok tribe used Yarrow as a pain reliever and a remedy for head colds. The Pawnee and Cherokee tribes commonly drank Yarrow tea to reduce fevers and to assist in a restful sleep.

The health benefits of Yarrow herb consist of the following:

· Natural painkiller and anti-inflammatory properties

· Headache Relief

· Reduce heavy menstrual bleeding and minimize painful cramps

· Stimulate the uterus to initiate menstrual flow

· Chewing fresh leaves can relieve toothaches

· To induce sweating

· Anti-microbial properties

· To stop wound bleeding

(ideal for minor cuts and burns; encourages healing while relieving pain and inflammation)

· To relieve GI ailments

· To lower high blood pressure

· Reduce fever and chills

· For cerebral and coronary thromboses

· To improve circulation

· To tone varicose veins

(by dispersing blood congestion and by toning the wall of the veins with its astringent properties)

· Helps strengthen blood circulation and improve blood flow

· For stomach flu and GI ailments (heals and tone the mucus membranes in the digestive tract).

· Poultice on the skin for rashes and itching