Yarrow Profile and Uses

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Description and Habitat

I love yarrow, yarrow is another of our globally available, herbal first aid plants like dandelions and plantain. It grows most anywhere, in fields, meadows, pastures, along highways, in town, the country, and many more places.

Yarrow is an erect perennial herb with fern like foliage that is covered with wooly hairs. The top has numerous white flower heads each one resembling a daisy. It has a very strong and distinct odor, which I love.

Yarrow is an underrated herb which is very sad as it has many health benefits and uses. It is one of the most potent and one of the oldest used herbs. And one that you won’t want to be without.

Flowers bloom from May to September, depending on where you live. The flowers, stalks, and leaves are harvested and used to make tincture, tea, and infusions.
Medicinal benefits of yarrow

Yarrow is best known for its wound healing properties and it’s ability to stop bleeding. No first aid kit is complete without yarrow to use as an antiseptic and styptic (stops bleeding), It is an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and analgesic. It is great for preventing infection, reducing swelling and pain in wounds, stopping blood flow, old and new bruises, and swellings from poisonous stings and bites.

Yarrow is also great for colds and flu. It is anti-inflammatory and an antimicrobial, it reduces pain, treats fevers, relaxes circulation and is a mild sedative. It is best taken as a hot tea especially for sinusitis and upper respiratory congestion.  

Yarrow is also good for UTI’s it helps reduce infection and tones the tissue of the urinary tract.

Yarrow can help regulate menstrual bleeding. It helps to both bring on menstrual flow and mediate heavy, excessive bleeding. It can also be helpful for restlessness and night sweats associated with menopause.

The US Army found tincture of yarrow to be a highly effective insect repellent, In their tests, it outperformed DEET in repelling ticks and mosquitoes, but did not remain effective for as long, So you will want to reapply every 30 minutes.

You can use yarrow as an immune booster, digestive aid and a mild liver cleanser.

Yarrow can also reduce hypertension by lowering blood pressure.

Yarrow is useful for gallbladder complaints and is considered a digestive tonic by promoting bile flow from the gallbladder.

How to use yarrow

One of the most common uses for yarrow is to stop bleeding and as a wound healer. Take dry or fresh plant (flower or leaf) and put on any bleeding wound and hold pressure. Usually within 10-30 seconds it should stop bleeding.

Tea / Infusion

Tea can be made from both fresh and dried cut leaves and flower heads, the flower heads are a little less bitter then the leaves. The bitter taste can be masked with sweeter herbs and a bit of honey. Great for colds, chest and sinus congestion, flu and fevers. When making tea bring water to a boil remove from heat and add the yarrow let steep 15 minutes any longer and it might make your tea bitter. DO NOT BOIL YARROW IT CAN CAUSE SEVERE AND DANGEROUS HALLUCINATIONS.

Tincture

Take 2-4 ml two to five times a day to help ease menstrual cramps, heavy menstrual bleeding, cramps, and upper respiratory infections. You can go Here to see how to make your own tinctures

Salves and oils

Salves and oils can be used to help heal bruises and mild abrasions, reduce inflammation, eczema and dry skin. It can even help heal old scars. You can go HERE to learn how to make your own salves and oils.

Poultice

Yarrow is an excellent poultice for deep cuts, wounds and scratches. Wrap fresh clean yarrow leaves on the affected area. It can help deep cuts heal with little or no scarring and can help the shin connect after puncture wounds.

Miscellaneous uses

Use as a mouth rinse to prevent dry socket after a tooth removal. Just add a few drops of tincture to warm water, gargle and rinse.

As a skin wash it is helpful for oily complexions. Pour 2 cups boiling water over 1 cup of dried yarrow tops, cool and strain, pat on skin. This also sooths chapped skin and minor irritations.

Fresh yarrow flowers may be added to boiling water and the steam inhaled to help with mild asthma and hay fever,

 

Avoid when pregnant, If you are allergic to aspirin, you may also be allergic to yarrow, Should be avoided by those with allergies to ragweed The information contained in this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice diag­no­sis, or treatment.

Have you ever used yarrow? If so how did you use it?

 

 

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