Yarrow: benefit and harm

Of the many medicinal plants that are known to man today, yarrow is undoubtedly one of the most common. Its useful properties since ancient times were used by folk healers all over the world.

Description

Yarrow, whose use is confirmed by scientists and tested by time, is a perennial plant about 80 cm high. It has small leaves. On their lower side you can see numerous oil glands, the contents of which have a rich spicy smell.

Flowers can be painted in different colors: from snow-white to burgundy. They are collected in small basket inflorescences, and the latter form a large corymbose inflorescence. Each basket has female marginal ligulate flowers, usually white, much less often, pink, and middle - bisexual tubular flowers of yellow color.

Stem is thin, pubescent, erect. Leaves are alternate, lanceolate, sessile. Plants have a somewhat specific flavor and bitter taste. Flowering begins at the end of spring and lasts until the end of September.

The fruit of the plant is a seed, painted in silvery gray, flat and oblong in shape, no more than 2 mm long, ripens at the very end of summer - early autumn.

origin of name

There are several versions of the appearance of the name of this plant. One of them says that the yarrow (Achillea) got its name in honor of the hero of the myths of Achilles, who, according to legend, used a plant to treat wounds after battles. Some sources claim that the name comes from the Greek word achillos, which translates as "abundant food". The most plausible is the version that the plant is named from the Greek achillon, which means "one thousand".

Spread

The plant is distributed practically throughout the territory of Eurasia, imported to other continents. On the territory of our country is found everywhere, except for arctic deserts. It prefers forest dry meadows, thickets of light forests, shrubs, forest edges, meadow steppes, abandoned fields, landfills, wastelands, ravines, banks of reservoirs, roadsides, etc.

Composition

It is justifiably considered a powerful medicinal plant millennial. Its use is due to the complex chemical composition:

• Organic acids;
• Amino acids;
• Tannins ;
• Natural essential oils;
• Resins;
• Vitamins of group B;
• Polysaccharides.

And this is not a complete list. The plant is rich in vitamins, macro - and microelements. Seeds contain almost 20% of useful fatty oil. The presence of a large number of biologically active substances, which have useful and medicinal properties, has made an indispensable component in the arsenal of folk healers yarrow. The benefits and harms in it are combined, but we'll talk about this below.

Beneficial features

Benefits yarrow for the body is confirmed by numerous reviews of patients suffering from internal bleeding. The drugs on its basis provide effective help in the fight against this disease, thanks to the presence in its composition of the alkaloid ahilein.

The yarrow herb became very popular in gynecology. Its advantage lies in the ability to heal from many serious female diseases without the use of traditional synthetic drugs. For example, the plant has a healing effect on the cervix during erosion, has a powerful antimicrobial effect, facilitates the course of menstruation and normalizes the menstrual cycle. However, during pregnancy, it is not recommended to use it, since it stimulates the uterus and can provoke a miscarriage.

Useful properties of this plant are noted when used during epidemics of influenza. It accelerates recovery in diseases of the respiratory tract, facilitates febrile states. People suffering from allergic reactions should also pay attention to the yarrow. The use of this plant in the fight against this common disease today is obvious. By the strength of the effect on the body and its effectiveness, it can be compared with strong antihistamines.

Yarrow significantly facilitates the symptoms of the patient, who suffers from asthma, due to the presence in its composition of substances with astringent effect.

With rheumatoid arthritis, its use as a preventive agent is justified. This is because tea based on yarrow removes uric acid from the joints and muscles, improving their work.

Indications for use

Preparations based on yarrow, as well as the fees in which it is included, are recommended for the treatment of the following conditions:

• Various internal bleeding;
• Metabolic disorders;
• Problems with digestion;
• Non-healing wounds prone to suppuration;
• Insufficient bile secretion;
• Hypoacid gastritis;
• Kidney stone disease;
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and 12-colon;
• Skin diseases.

As you see, the medicinal properties of nature generously rewarded the yarrow. Its use is obvious. However, we must warn everyone who believes that this herb is completely harmless: this is a deep delusion.

Can yarrows harm the body?

It is necessary to know that this is a rather poisonous plant. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly observe the dosage in the preparation and use of preparations based on it. It is not recommended to take yarrows to people with high blood coagulability. Often there are difficulties with the selection of dosage and for patients with reduced coagulability.

It is strictly forbidden to use this plant for pregnant women and nursing mothers. And this applies not only to ingestion, but also the use of grass in any form, including foot baths against calluses. The fact is that the active yarrow alkaloids have the ability to accumulate in the body and their influence on the course of pregnancy and the health of newborns is not fully understood.

Today, lovers of diets and rapid weight loss began to use hellebore and yarrow. The benefit of such a recipe is very doubtful. Both these plants are toxic, and in combination they intensify their negative effect. Such weight loss can provoke the development of serious liver diseases, as well as systemic poisoning of the body.

Yarrow can cause an allergic reaction, so people who are predisposed to this disease, you must be very careful in its application.

Preparation of medical formulations

From ancient times folk healers used yarrow. The use of this plant was noted when using tea in the treatment of colds. Until quite recently, in the fifties of the last century, villagers were languishing in a Russian oven in the Kazanka, and the whole family drank it with honey.

In addition, the plant was successfully used to treat other ailments. At home, it is easy to prepare tea from yarrow, the benefit of which is checked by time, broth, infusion, ointment, tincture. Below we will present you several recipes that can be of use to you in the treatment of various diseases.

Yarrow (decoction): benefit

This drug has become widespread in the treatment of various diseases. The broth is effective for bleeding (nasal, uterine, hemorrhoidal). It is recommended to take it in the absence of appetite, headaches, dizziness, metabolic disorders, to improve liver function, insomnia,

With neuralgia or stress, you can drink a decoction or take a bath. Such procedures significantly alleviate the condition of patients with certain skin diseases (eczema, scabies, dermatitis, lichen). Chilled broth is used for douching and microclysters during exacerbation of hemorrhoids. Found use of a decoction of yarrow and in cosmetology. They rub the skin with acne.

Prepare a decoction is not difficult. Fifteen grams of chopped dry herbs pour 250 ml of water at room temperature. Send the container with the grass to the water bath for 15 minutes, stirring constantly. After this, the composition is cooled, filtered and added to the original volume with boiled water. Take a decoction in a warm form on a tablespoon three times a day after meals.

Yarrow juice

This recipe can only be used in the summer. Rinse fresh yarrow leaves under running water. Grind them into a slurry with a blender. The resulting mass is well wrung through gauze. Juice is used for skin diseases for irrigation, for the treatment of periodontitis in the form of rinses.

Yarrow tea: benefit and harm

This herb has a pleasant spicy flavor, but the tea has pronounced notes of bitterness, which not everyone likes. Phytotherapists usually recommend smoothing them with honey and lemon - this tea is more pleasant to drink, and its benefits are significantly increased. There are two ways to make tea.

I way

Steep boiling water, press the teapot and put a pinch of dry leaves of grass inside. Give her a little "rest", and only then pour hot water. We emphasize - hot, not boiling water. The water temperature is 95-99 ° C. This method allows you to reveal all the medicinal properties of the herb and make the tea much tastier.

II method

About ten minutes, boil the grass, while not allowing a strong boil. Allow the staff to brew for an hour.

To make tea, use filtered soft water. Contraindications to the use of tea as such are not, but it should not be taken for a long time, as there may be light dizziness, skin rash (as an allergic reaction). Do not forget about the individual intolerance of the plant. Before starting treatment with any drugs based on yarrow, a doctor's consultation is necessary.