Yarrow
Fern like leaves with clusters of white flowers. The leaves make a medicinal tea. Crushed the leaves can be used to stop bleeding of minor wounds.
Ground cover. H:30cm W:spread. 12cm,17cm.
In the garden:
Growth Characteristics:
• Perennial, Evergreen, Frost tolerant
• 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.
Height:
• ±30cm in flower; Spread: ±40cm.
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.
Culinary use:
Use fresh young Yarrow leaves with:
• Salads, Sandwiches, Potato salad, Soft cheese dips, Garnish.
Cosmetic use:
• 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.
Health benefits:
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.