Yarrow refers to the genus of perennial herbaceous plants from the family Compositae. Yarrow grows mainly in the temperate climate belt, mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. At the edges in the forest zone, in meadows, at the slopes of mountains and hills, in the steppe zone, along the outskirts of fields and along roads, one can often see the yarrow. Useful properties of this plant have long been known. The medicinal properties of the yarrow were known to the Etruscans, Aztecs and many other representatives of the ancient civilizations.
Leaves and inflorescence of yarrow contain healing essential oil.
The grass of the yarrow should be harvested during the flowering period. Cut only the upper part of the stem (about 15 centimeters).
Yarrow in medicine
The curative properties of the yarrow herb are widely used in folk medicine. Yarrow is now widely used for making extracts, infusions and decoctions.
What treats yarrow, more precisely, from what diseases it is taken?
Yarrow is used for bleeding, with certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (peptic ulcer, colitis and enterocolitis, gastritis and flatulence), sluggish digestion, cholecystitis, lack of appetite, inflammation of the urinary tract, stones in the bladder and kidneys, bedwetting, diabetes, gynecological diseases, varicose veins, tuberculosis, rheumatism, gout.
Yarrow is also used for certain liver diseases, hemorrhoids, tonsillitis, varicose veins, from fibroids and even for oncological problems (with benign and malignant tumors).
Yarrow broth
Decoction of yarrow - an effective tool for bronchial asthma, with severe headaches, as well as colds and some skin diseases. Water infusions and decoctions of yarrow are traditionally used for diseases of the digestive tract, peptic ulcer, gastritis and others, for the treatment of nephrolithiasis. They are also used (usually in combination with wormwood and gold thighs) with poor appetite or total absence.
In traditional medicine of the indigenous peoples of Siberia, yarrow infusions are used for gastrointestinal diseases, feverish conditions (including malaria). Also yarrow infusions are used as a diaphoretic and diuretic for colds and other diseases.
Among the peoples of the North Caucasus, the yarrow broth is successfully used both for gastric diseases and for various heart diseases, and also as an expectorant and diaphoretic. Infusions are used in febrile states of various genesis.
Yarrow as a pain reliever
Water infusions and extract are effective in painful menstruation, in this case, the action of yarrow is not only anesthetic, but also regulating. In gynecological practice, the yarrow also shows excellent results in inflammatory processes of various origins.
Prior to the invention and widespread use of antibiotics, the yarrow was traditionally included in the composition of various drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis, special collections of tea were made.
Water infusions of yarrow are used for toothache and inflammatory processes of the mouth cavity for rinsing, as well as for enemas with hemorrhoids.
Yarrow for weight loss is also used and is quite effective, due to good choleretic and diuretic properties.
Be careful!
It should be noted that the yarrow, whose useful properties are undeniable, is still a poisonous plant, so when using it inside, you must observe some caution and avoid overdoses, especially with long-term use. In some patients, prolonged use of drugs based on yarrow can cause side effects in the form of dizziness and the appearance of skin rashes. In such cases, the use of drugs should be discontinued.