Difference between revisions of "Yarrow"

Latest revision as of 00:50, 19 June 2021

Achillea millefolium

Other names : Achillea millefolium, arrowroot, Asteraceae (family), bad man's plaything, carpenter's weed, Compositae (family), death flower, devil's nettle, eerie, field hops, gearwe, hundred leaved grass, knight's milefoil, knyghten, milefolium, milfoil, millefoil, noble yarrow, nosebleed, nosebleed plant, old man's mustard, old man's pepper, polyacetylenes, sanguinary, sesquiterpene lactones, seven year's love, snake's grass, soldier, soldier's woundwort, stanch weed, thousand seal, woundwort, yarroway, yerw, Duizendblad, Millefeuille, Milenrama; Civan Perçemi
Yarrow flower tops and leaves are the parts of the plant used for medicinal purposes.Yarrow can be taken as an infusion (yarrow tea) or as a tincture. Yarrow essential oil, extracted from the plant, is also used.
See also :

• Millefolium (Homeopathy)
• Bitters

Special Precautions of Yarrow

• Yarrow is an essential oil that should be avoided during pregnancy because it can alter the way certain functions are carried out in your body, which may cause harm to the unborn baby.
• In rare cases, yarrow can cause severe allergic skin rashes; prolonged use can increase the skin's photosensitivity. This can be triggered initially when wet skin comes into contact with cut grass and yarrow together.
• According to the ASPCA, yarrow is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, causing vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, and hypersalivation.
• In a standard rodent model for reproductive toxicity, aqueous extracts of yarrow produced a significant increase in the percentage of abnormal sperm.

The benefits of Yarrow are

A. millefolium has seen historical use as in traditional medicine, often because of its astringent effects. The herb is purported to be a diaphoretic, astringent, tonic, stimulant and mild aromatic. It contains isovaleric acid, salicylic acid, asparagin, sterols, flavonoids, bitters, tannins, and coumarins.

• antibiotic
• anti-inflammatory - due to its oils
• antiseptic - due to its oils
• antispasmodic
• astringent - due to the presence of resins
• diuretic
• sedative - a mild one, useful for dealing with mild insomniac conditions
• Heart Health: The significant levels of potassium found in arrowroot mean that it can be a definite line of defense against heart-related issues. Potassium is a vasodilator, meaning that it relaxes the tension in the blood vessels and arteries, thereby lowering blood pressure and reducing your risks of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. Potassium is also known as a cognitive enhancer, promoting the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain.
• helps to improve cardiovascular conditions, partly by regulating blood pressure
• improves the appetite
• purifies the blood
• regulates the menstrual cycle - due to the sterols in yarrow, which function in a similar fashion to hormones
• repairs damaged or worn out body tissues - due to the presence of silica
• removes heat and toxins from the body, by increasing sweating
• stimulates the circulatory system : The rich nutrient mixture found in arrowroot includes significant levels of copper and iron. These two essential minerals are important parts of red blood cells, which makes arrowroot very good for preventing anemia, which is characterized by weakness, fatigue, and cognitive disorders. Furthermore, by increasing circulation, you encourage oxygenation of your body’s organ systems and extremities, which can boost your energy levels.
• stimulates the flow of bile
• Metabolic Processes: The high concentration of vitamin B within arrowroot makes it an important enzymatic and metabolic substance. The B-vitamin family is very important in regulating processes throughout your body, from hormonal release to circadian rhythms, meaning that you never want a deficiency in that department.
• Birth Defects: One particular member of the B family of vitamins is folate, and it is found in high levels within arrowroot. Studies have shown that folate is important for expecting mothers, as it can help to prevent neural tube defects in their unborn child. Folate is also an important factor in DNA synthesis and healthy cell division, thereby promoting rapid healing and healthy growth.
• allergies, such as hay fever - helps to alleviate the symptoms
• chest and respiratory congestion - helps to clear the condition
• colds and the common flu - provides relief from these conditions, especially when taken hot
• coughs - provides relief
• diarrhea and dysentery - astringent quality helps to alleviates these conditions
• digestive system - improves digestion and the body's ability to absorb nutrients
• enteritis - anti-inflammatory property helps to alleviate this condition
• fever - provides relief, especially when taken hot, as it promotes sweating
• gastritis, stomach ulcers and other gastrointestinal conditions - anti-inflammatory property helps to alleviate these conditions
• hemorrhoids - helps to heal the condition, as it stimulates blood flow
• high blood pressure - helps to regulate blood pressure
• infections - aids healing, due to its anti-inflammatory quality
• intestinal bleeding - astringent quality helps to alleviate this condition
• intestinal issues like colic, cramps and flatulence - antispasmodic quality helps to relief these symptoms
• menstrual conditions, such as heavy menstruation or menstrual bleeding, uterus
• blockages - provides relief and helps to heal
• Stomach Concerns: Celiac disease seems to be the new global pandemic, and as the numbers continue to climb around the world, people are seeking gluten-free alternative to traditional starches and wheat. Arrowroot is a gluten-free substance, making it very popular in recent years, as it can prevent the gastrointestinal discomfort, pain, and danger that those handling a gluten intolerance must face every day.
• Growth and Development: As compared to other root vegetables and starches acquires from tubers, arrowroot has a higher concentration of protein, an essential component of any diet. By increasing our dietary intake of plant proteins, which are easier to process than animal proteins, we can guarantee healthy growth and development.
• Weight Loss Concerns: Arrowroot is extremely low in calories as compared to other starches like yams, potatoes, or cassava. For this reason, people trying to remain on a diet can get complex carbohydrates and a wealth of nutrients, as well as a healthy dose of dietary fiber, and eliminate the desire to snack between meals. Arrowroot fills you up and gives you the minerals and vitamins your body needs.
• Digestion: Dietary fiber is one of the most important parts of our digestive process, as it helps move food through the bowels in an efficient manner, while also stimulating the uptake of nutrients. It can eliminate issues of constipation and diarrhea, and manage blood sugar levels to prevent the onset of diabetes. Finally, dietary fiber can help to clear out excess cholesterol, further promoting cardiovascular health.
• sore throats - provides relief, especially when taken hot
• Externally, the yarrow herb has been used, and is reputedly very effective, for helping to heal bruises, burns, cuts, swelling, ulcers and wounds on the skin or body surface. This is usually carried out using poultices made from the whole plant, yarrow leaves, or powder produced by grinding up dried yarrow tops. Infusions are also used to wash the skin to help deal with skin conditions, for example eczema. In addition, the essential oils of yarrow are sometimes rubbed on affected skin.
• In the past, the leaves of the yarrow plant were chewed on to reduce the pain arising from toothaches.
• The gas rising from boiling yarrow infusions were also inhaled to alleviate mild asthmatic symptoms.

References

• Alma R. Hutchens (1973). Indian Herbology of North America. Shambhala Publications. ISBN 0-87773-639-1.
• University of Michigan - Dearborn: Native American Ethnobotany; Achillea millefolium . accessed 31 January 2013
• Stevenson, Matilda Coxe 1915 Ethnobotany of the Zuni Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #30 (p. 42)
• Vazirinejad R, Ayoobi F, Arababadi MK, Eftekharian MM, Darekordi A, Goudarzvand M, et al. Effect of aqueous extract of Achillea millefolium on the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6 mice. Indian J Pharmacol 2014;46:303‑8.
• Contact Dermatitis 1998, 39:271-272.
• "Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Yarrow". ASPCA.
• Dalsenter P, Cavalcanti A, Andrade A, Araújo S, Marques M (2004). "Reproductive evaluation of aqueous crude extract of Achillea millefolium L. (Asteraceae) in Wistar rats". Reprod Toxicol. 18 (6): 819–23. doi:10.1016/j.reprotox.2004.04.011. PMID 15279880.