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Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Print E-mail

man and nature´s healer...

In the Garden | Culinary | Cosmetic | Medicinal use

Popular garden varieties

Yarrow

Yarrow

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In the Garden

Growth Characteristics:

  • Perennial, Evergreen, Frost tolerant,
  • Height: ±30cm in flower; Spread: ±40cm,
  • Low, mat-forming, with flat heads of small white flowers in late summer and autumn,
  • Darkish green, aromatic, feathery leaves,
  • A good choice for informal or meadow-style plantings,

Cultivation:

  • Full sun; Well drained, composted soil,

Harvesting:

  • Pick fresh leaves and flowers throughout the year,

Companion Planting:

  • Composting: Add leaves to the compost heap to speed up decomposition,
  • Infuse and use as a copper fertilizer for other plants,
  • Helps nearby plants to resist disease and deepens their fragrance and flavour,
  • Attracting Beneficial insects: Hoverflies, Bumble bees, Butterly, Labybird, Wasp,

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Culinary use

Use fresh young Yarrow leaves with:

  • Salads, Sandwiches, Potato salad, Soft cheese dips, Garnish,

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Cosmetic

 

  • Infuse fresh leaves and flowers for a facial steam and tonic lotion,
  • Use the infusion as a basis for a face pack for greasy skin or in a relaxing bath,
  • Use yarrow tincture as aftershave to tone the skin and heal shaving cuts,

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Medicinal use

Yarrow may be beneficial in the following cases:

General
  • Tonic, Blood cleanser,
  • Rich in minerals and vitamins,
  • Stimulant and tonic, especially in feverish conditions with appetite loss,
  • Anti-inflammatory, Mouthwas for inflamed gums,
  • Haemorrhage of mucous surfaces, nosebleed,
  • Inflamed eyes,
Skin
  • Topical for chapped skin and rashes, ulcers,
  • Astringent and antiseptic: externally it helps in healing of wounds, and stops minor bleeding. Treats cuts that become inflamed,
  • Eczema - used externally in bath water can be beneficial in some cases,
Lymphatic System
  • Anti-allergenic,
Respiratory System
  • Temperature reduction in the early stages of Fevers, Influenza, the common cold, Measles, chicken pox and feverish children's complaints,
  • It has anti-inflammatory actions and helps promote sweating.
  • Anti-microbial on Respiratory System,
  • Anticatarrhal: sinusitis, hay fever, and dust allergies,
  • Treats allergies such as allergic rhinitis,
Cardiovascular System
  • Internal and external bleeding,
  • High blood pressure with thrombosis, to prevent blood clots,
  • Tones the blood vessels, Varicose veins,
  • To lower an elevated diastolic blood pressure, due to a dilation of the peripheral vessels,
Liver
  • Hepatic, gentle bitter tonic, may also stimulate the flow of bile,
  • Liver and gall bladder complaints,
Digestive system
  • Stimulates digestion,
  • Biliary colic, diarrhoea, dysentery, stomach cramps,
  • Antispasmodics: Nervous dyspepsia, Colic and flatulence, Irritable bowel disease, Gastritis,
  • Topical for haemorrhoids,
Urinary System
  • Kidney tonic, Anti-microbial on Urinary system,
  • Urinary antiseptic - cystitis,
Reproductive System
  • Obstructed menstruation, helps regulate menstrual cycle,
  • Painful menstruation (dysmenorrhoea): spasmolytic action and will help with excessive bleeding.
Musculo / Skeletal System
  • Rheumatism, Arthritis,
  • In the bath to relieve aches and pains,

 

Preparation and dosage:

TEA:

  • One to two teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes,
  • Drink this hot three times per day,
  • When feverish it should be drunk hourly,

TINCTURE:

  • Take 2-4 ml of the tincture three times per day,

CAUTION:

  • Take in moderation and limit continual internal, daily use to a mximum of 2 consecutive weeks,
  • Do not take during pregnancy,
  • Overdose may produce headaches and vertigo,

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