How to Use Yarrow as a Natural Remedy

Yarrow is fairly easy to grow. It also has beautiful flowers that come in many colors. It is a great addition to your flower garden. And, it has health benefits, as well. Here are some ways you can use yarrow as a natural remedy.

The scientific name for Yarrow is Achillea millefolium. It also has many common names. Some of them include milfoil, noble yarrow, nosebleed, sanguinary, soldier's woundwort, thousandleafe.

Yarrow has been around for many years. There is some evidence that the ancient Greek hero Achilles used yarrow on his troops when they were wounded during the Trojan War. It is most commonly used as a remedy for colds, flu and fever. In the Scottish Highland, yarrow was traditionally used to heal wounds and bruises, and also to treat skin problems. It was made into an ointment and then applied to the skin.

The parts of the Yarrow plant that are used are the aerial parts and the leaves. The aerial parts are the flowers. Yarrow has been found to be an astringent, digestive tonic, aid in stimulation of sweating, fever reducer, blood vessel strengthener, would healer, and it helps stop bleeding.

Yarrow can be cultivated in your garden. It is also found all over the world. It grows in places such as fields, pastures, meadows, and along roadsides. It is a perennial plant.

The most common use for Yarrow is as a tea that will help ease cold and flu symptoms. It helps to control fevers and helps speed recovery. It works best if you drink the tea when it is hot. The heat from the tea will help with promoting sweating even more than the herb alone. When a body sweats more it will help reduce fever, encourage cooling of the body, and it also leads to improved cleansing of waste products from the body. Yarrow works well when combined with elderflower, or Sambucus nigra.

There are also other uses for Yarrow as a natural remedy. It can be used to stimulate your appetite and digestive activity. It is also useful to help with diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. If you have heavy menstrual bleeding, Yarrow can help reduce the bleeding and bring about a regular menstrual period. It also helps treat circulation problems and high blood pressure. It will strengthen small blood vessels, or capillaries and it can tone varicose veins. If you apply the tea in a lotion to small cuts and abrasions it will help in healing. It is also good for chapped, sore hands.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding it is not advisable to use Yarrow. This herb can induce menstrual bleeding and has abortifacient effects. You should also watch for skin reactions if you are using this natural remedy on topically. If you are allergic or hypersensitive to arnica, calendula or chamomile you have a very good chance of being allergic to Yarrow. If you use this herbal remedy for an extended period of time, it could make your skin sensitive to light. It is also not advisable to give to children under the age of 5 years old.

As with any type of medical treatment, you should always check with your doctor before starting to use an herbal remedy. It could react with other medications you are taking in an adverse manner. However, using natural herbal remedies can help you feel more in control of your health issues. This will help give you a positive attitude, which always helps when dealing with health issues.

SOURCES

Brinker, Francis, N.D. "Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions". 1997. Eclectic Institute, Inc. Oregon.

Chevallier, Andrew. "Herbal Remedies". 2007. DK Publishing. New York, NY.

Lust, John. "The Herb Book". 1974. Bantam Books. New York.