The 10 most honorable herbs
This herb also grows abountly in this area. This month we are talking about Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). A creeping perennial plant that can grow three feet tall, it has white or, occasionally, rose-colored flower heads with yellow centers. Finely divided crowded leaves grow on alternate sides of its erect central stem. The leaves, stems and flower are used medicinally.
Yarrow was used anciently by the Greeks and named after the legendary warrior Achilles. According to legend, Achilles used yarrow to stop bleeding in his soldiers. It appears to have been used as a healing agent virtually since the dawn of the human race. Excavation of a 40,000 to 60,000-year-old Neanderthal grave yielded Yarrow (as well as the herbs althea, centauria, ephedra, and senecio). It was used in the Old World for menstrual problems, indigestion, hemorrhoids and wounds. Culpepper, a 17th century English herbalist, suggested Yarrow for wounds. The Paiutes used it as a tea for a weak stomach. It was used by some Native American tribes for swelling, earaches, bruises and abrasions
Yarrow is an anti-inflammatory herb useful in the treatment of diarrhea, flatulence, gastrointestinal inflammation, and stomach cramps. It also contains slight antibiotic properties and some anti-spasmodic properties. Yarrow is often put in the category of “bitter herbs” because of the powerful, volatile oil it contains. This oil, called Azulene, together with tannin, gives a stimulating, astringent, and bitter edge to the flavor and action. These properties, along with many others, act on the liver to strengthen its efficiency and stimulate bile production. Yarrow also functions as a strong antiseptic and viral inhibitor. It firms and tones tissues, including the tissues of internal organs that might have flaccid, inefficient, or tired out by abuse from unhealthy habits and/or a toxic environment. Yarrow kills many harmful microorganisms upon contact. It also acts as a blood cleanser, good for colds, fevers, flu, lung disorders, nosebleeds, and perspiration. It tones the mucus membranes of the stomach and bowels and aids the glandular system. It helps blurred vision by strengthening the muscles that surround the eyes, allowing the eyes to bring objects into sharper focus. For bruises and pain, research has confirmed the historical use of yarrow to relieve pain caused by a broad range of conditions. Yarrow teas, tinctures and oils contain sterols and triterpenes that stop inflammatory processes, restore circulation, and accelerate healing. These compounds stop the formation of enzymes necessary for a series of chemical reactions that cause inflammation and pain. Besides stopping pain, yarrow teas and tinctures kill many of the kinds of bacteria found on human skin, thus indirectly preventing pain by halting potentially painful infection. As a poultice, it stops minor bleeding and to treat wounds and inflammation.
Another use for Yarrow tea is as an aid in waking up alert and “ready-to-go” in the morning. Lethargy is a typical symptom of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) that can occur for many reasons, which I won’t elaborate here. Drinking a cup of Yarrow tea at night, the last thing before going to bed, strengthens the body’s ability to maintain a balanced blood sugar level throughout the night, you’ll wake up alert and clearheaded in the morning. Yarrow strengthens and encourages the natural action of important internal organs, including the liver and pancreas, which in turn leads to more optimal functioning, alertness and available energy in a body that is otherwise in generally good health. So give this Yarrow tea a try if you have any trouble waking up alert in the morning.
Note: Yarrow tea may be a little bitter, after all it is a bitter herb. If you want the most potent results from any bitter herb, it is best not to add any sweetener to it. But, if you have not developed a taste for Yarrow and feel you need to sweeten it, please use a little raw honey but forego the use of any other type of sweetener. Be sure to steep covered to preserve to vitatile oils. Steeping for more then 10 minutes will make teas more bitter. If you like stronger teas, add more herbs instead of steeping longer.
Vitamin and Mineral content: Yarrow contains Vitamin A, which is useful for healing, lung protection, the immune system, skin disorders, colds, flu and fevers. Vitamin E is also found, which heals and protects the heart and circulatory system. I t contains vitamin F, and essential fatty acid necessary for all body membranes, including the brain cells and they are the basis for the production of the prostaglandins, a hormone like substance produced in the cells. Yarrow also contains copper, manganese, potassium, iodine, iron vitamin C and some vitamin K.
Considerations for use:
Yarrow is used mostly as a tea (which can be made into poultices) and aromatherapy oil. Also capsules or tinctures. Topical application and/or long term use can cause skin irration and/or allergic reactions. It this occurs, stop using the herb. It may also increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight.
Yarrow is a uterine stimulant. It should not be used during pregnancy. Women who experienced heavy periods or who have pelvic inflammatory disease also should avoid using yarrow. Because it increases the production of bile, this action may intensify the pain of gallstones. If you have gallstones, this herb certainly should be avoided during an acute attack.
