Yarrow
Achillea millefolium

Perennial - found in pastures, meadows and along roadsides. The white or pink plants are medicinal, the yellow  are only ornamental. Flowers from may to October. The plant has a faint, pleasant, peculiar fragrance and an ether sharp, rough astringent taste, which properties are due to tannic anc achilleic acid, essential oil and bitter extractive achilleic. The genus to which Yarrow belongs was named after Achilles, accredited with discovering the medicinal virtues of the plant.

Medicinal Part: The herb

Solvents: Water, alcohol

Uses:
Native North Americans used yarrow as a tonic for run-down conditions and indigestion
Herbalist combine Yarrow, Plantain and Comfrey to stop hemorrhages of the lungs, bowels, hemorrhoid and other internal bleeding. Most useful in colds, flu, fever and acute inflammation of the mucous membrane (catarrh) of the respiratory tract. As yarrow causes free perspiration, taking along with it unwanted waste and relieving the kidneys it is perfect for fevers and for helping the first signs of colds, flus and fevers; more effective for the above mentioned when combined with Elder flowers and Peppermint. Also useful for measles, smallpox, chickenpox as it helps eruptions to come out faster, although for some speeding up the healing process may be uncomfortable. The properties have the ability to act as a blood cleanser. It relieves cramps and helps stop excess menstrual bleeding and internal hemorrhage when taken internally.

Dose: Infusion of 1 ounce of herb to 1 cup of boiling water is given in wineglassful to cupful amounts, every hour or two until cold or fever breaks or bleeding stops. The essential oil, from 5-20 drops three of four times a day.

Externally: Yarrow's astringent* antiseptic and hemostatic** actions make it an invaluable remedy for the healing of burns, cuts, bruises, hemorrhages, inflammations and other wounds, hemorrhoids and leukorrhea***. It can be applied directly to wounds to stop bleeding and is used in a bolus or salve for bleeding piles.  Native Americans used the leaves as a pultice for skin rash or wounds. They also roll up the leaves and put them in nostrils for nosebleed. Interestingly, yarrow does contain a substance which hastens blood clotting from injury which explains its common name of Nosebleed.

* astringent: a substance that contracts the tissues or canals of the body, thereby diminishing discharges, as of mucus or blood

** hemostatic: a drug that arrests hemorrhages

 *** leukorrhea