Yarrow Flower 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Yarrow Flower – 100 g ($8.99), 50 g ($6.99), 25 g ($5.99)

Benefits:

Yarrow is an anti-inflammatory herb useful in the treatment of diarrhea, flatulence, gastrointestinal inflammation, and stomach cramps. This herb can reduce smooth-muscle spasms, which makes it useful for certain gastrointestinal conditions. Yarrow is also a traditional stomach tonic and digestive aid. Unproven uses include as an external palliative treatment for liver disorders and for healing wounds. In folk medicine, it is used for bleeding hemorrhoids, and as a bath to remove perspiration. Homeopathic remedies are for varicose veins, arterial bleeding, and convulsions. Ayurvedic medicine uses a combination of yarrow (A. millefolium) with other herbs for patients with liver cirrhosis. Yarrow has anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, immuno-stimulating, and diuretic actions; all of these help patients with cirrhosis by reducing liver blood test values and improving liver test scores (called Child-Pugh).

Yarrow tea has long been used to induce sweating and lower fever. This herb has mild sedative properties that may prevent insomnia. Herbalists prescribe yarrow to relieve cramps and other menstrual pain. It has been approved by the German Commission E internally for loss of appetite and dyspeptic ailments such as mild spastic discomforts of the gastrointestinal tract. Externally it has been used in a sitz bath for painful, cramp-like conditions of psychosomatic origin (in the lower part of the female pelvis).

Bruises and pain. Modern research has confirmed the historical use of yarrow to relieve pain caused by a broad range of conditions. Yarrow teas and tinctures contain salicylate-like derivatives such as stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol that reduce the inflammatory processes, which may accelerate healing. These compounds stop the formation of enzymes necessary for a series of chemical reactions that cause inflammation and pain. Yarrow also contains compounds designated sesquiterpene lactones, which reduce the action of pain-provoking hormones, the prostaglandins. Besides stopping pain, yarrow teas and tinctures kill many kinds of bacteria, some of which, such as Staphylococcus aureus, are found on human skin, thus indirectly preventing pain by halting potentially painful infection. In animal studies, a chloroform extract of yarrow (A. millefolium) when applied topically had anti-inflammatory effects.

Common cold and influenza. Essential oil of yarrow is used in aromatherapy to relieve colds and flu. The compounds chamazulene and prochamazulene, which are found in the essential oil, are known to act as anti-inflammatory agents. Yarrow is also combined with echinacea, elder flower, ginger, and peppermint leaf in over-the-counter (OTC) extracts used for cold and flu relief.

Heart disease and high blood pressure. In one study, 15 to 20 drops twice a day of a 70 percent ethanol extract of yarrow (A. wilhelmsii) lowered low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol in participants after four months, and it continued to go down at month six. There was no change in cholesterol levels in the placebo group. At six months, triglycerides were significantly reduced and high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or “good”) cholesterol increased. In another study, using the same yarrow extract product and the same dose, significant decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure occurred in patients with stage I hypertension after six months.

 

Recommended Use

Yarrow is used in teas (which can be made into poultices) and aromatherapy oils. The herb is most easily purchased in bulk from herb shops. Topical application and/or long-term use can cause skin irritation and/or allergic reactions. If this occurs, stop using the herb. Yarrow may also increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight.

If you are using yarrow to treat any type of wound, be sure to clean the affected area carefully before applying yarrow because this herb can stop blood flow so quickly that it may seal in dirt or other contaminants. Yarrow should not be used to treat large, deep, or infected wounds. This type of injury requires medical attention.

Yarrow is a uterine stimulant. Although miscarriage is not likely from use of therapeutic doses, the herb nevertheless should not be used during pregnancy and lactation. Women who experience heavy periods or who have pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) also should avoid use of yarrow.

Yarrow is also a biliary stimulant, increasing 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. Allow one to two hours between using iron and yarrow, as one can cause the other to be unabsorbable.

Alcohol extracts of yarrow stop sperm production in laboratory mice. Men seeking to become fathers should avoid this herb.

Yarrow is an unusual plant in that it adapts itself to new surroundings easily, and its chemical composition changes readily in response to changes in the environment. For this reason, it is important to use yarrow from the same source every time to get reliable results.

Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium
English: Common Yarrow
Also known as: Herbe De Millefeuille, Hezarbarg, Jungfraukraut, Katzenkraut, Knight’s Milfoil, Mil De Tama, Mil En Rama, Mil Fl Ores, Mil Hojas, Milefolio, Milfoil, Millefolium, Milenrama, Nosebleed, Old Man’s Pepper, Oum Alf Ouraka, Pharange, Saigum, Sanguinary, Sataraatyoutas, Schafgarbe, Schafgarbenkraut, Seiyonokogiriso, Seiyounokogirisou, Sneezeweed, Soldier’s Milfoil, Stratictes, Tansy, Thou Alf Ouraka, Thousand Leaf, Thousand Leaf Grass, Thousand Seal, Thousand Weed, Trava Tysyachelistnik, Troneto, Umm Alf Waraqah, Western Yarrow, Wound Wort, Yarrow, Yerba De Carpintero, Yerba De La Muela, Gandana, and Rojmari.
Habitat: Native to Asia, Europe, and North America
Origin: Ukraine
Harvested: Wild or cultivated
Parts Used: Flower

General Information:
Achillea millefolium, is a perennial herb that belongs to the Asteraceae family, 30-90 cm in height, with an aromatic odor, greyish green color from the numerous small hairs; stem angular and has no branches except near the top. It was known for 2000 years ago and was recorded firstly into the medical textbook of Dioscorides. Achillea millefolium was named after Achilles, the Greek mythical figure who used it to stop the bleeding wounds of his soldiers.

The leaves are alternate, 3-5 inches long, with many leaflets on each side of the midrib and these are further divided into smaller leaflets, giving them a delicate, fernlike, lacy appearance. They are green or greyish-green, faintly pubescent on the upper surface and more pubescent on the lower surface, 1-3 pinnately divided with linear lobes and a finely pointed whitish tip, alternate, clustered at the base of the stem. Flower heads are arranged in large, compact clusters at the top of the stem, each cluster consisting of one or more flower heads. The flower head has 20-25 yellowish-white ray flowers and similarly colored disk flowers. The flowers are typically white, but either pink or pale purple flowers are common in mountain areas. The petals are densely arranged in flattened clusters, and the leaves look like feathers. The plant spreads rapidly. Yarrows can be planted to combat soil erosion due to the plant’s resistance to drought. The flowers, leaves, and stems of the Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) plant are used for medicinal purposes. It is collected while in bloom.

How to use:
Hot Infusion:
The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. Hot water is needed to draw out the antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, flavonoids, and volatile oils from the botanicals. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal tea with a bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.
You can make ice cubes or pops by freezing tea in ice trays or pop molds.