An introduction to Yarrow
Yarrow is a flowering plant with a rich history of being used by humans for medicinal purposes. It grows wild and people have used it for hundreds of years in attempt to cure a variety of medical ailments. One of the original uses of yarrow was to keep wounds from continuing to bleed. It was also used to fight infections and reduce the risk of infections by bacteria. Today, yarrow is used for a variety of health conditions. It can be purchased in many forms, which has led to an increase in its popularity as an affordable and simple herbal remedy for home use.
Description of the yarrow plant
You can find yarrow growing wild throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada, as well as through Europe and Asia. The plant will bloom during the months of summer between June and September. Yarrow will typically grow between 2 and feet tall and present leaves that are feathery and delicate with small white flowers that sprout in tiny bunches. The flowers from yarrow plants in higher elevations may also appear pink or light purple. The entire plant is harvested while it is in bloom because every part of the plant can be used for some kind of herbal remedy.
The health benefits of yarrow
You can use yarrow to stop blood flowing from wounds outside the body and to keep bacteria from entering wounds and infecting the body. You will want to press a compress of yarrow infusion on wounds to prevent or put a stop to external bleeding. This will also help protect the body from infection by bacteria. Yarrow infusion can be made with a single cup of dried yarrow herbs that are mixed together with boiling water in a jar approximately one quart in size. You should cover the jar and leave it to sit for between 8 and 10 hours. Yarrow can also be used with efficacy to treat bleeding inside the body that results from ulcers in the stomach or abnormally heavy menstrual flow. You can help stop such internal bleeding by drinking between one and three cups of yarrow tea each day.
Yarrow as a plant has plenty of flavonoids; flavonoids help increase the amount of acid in the stomach and saliva in the mouth, which aids in digestion of food. .When you have an increase in stomach acid due to yarrow intake, you also lower your chances of gall stone formation, which helps your gall bladder stay healthy and in good shape.
You can also use yarrow to ensure your uterus remains healthy if you are a woman. When you take supplements that include yarrow or drink tea made from yarrow extracts and herbs, you can regulate the flow during your menstrual period and improve the tone of your uterus. Yarrow also contains salicyclic acid, which is the same compound found in aspirin, and also has a number of anti-inflammatory properties, which makes yarrow an effective pain reliever for a variety of female health concerns, including endometriosis, PMS, and menstrual cramps. You can also use yarrow as a natural diuretic, which means it is effective in removing additional or excess fluids from your body.
Side effects of Yarrow
Yarrow is a natural medicine, but there are still some side effects to keep in mind when using it. If you are a woman who is pregnant or nursing a child, you should refrain from using yarrow. Similarly, if you have allergies to asters, chrysanthemums, or ragweed, or have trouble taking aspirin, you should not take yarrow. You might also develop a skin sensitivity to sunlight if you use yarrow. Yarrow also has sedative properties, which means you should not take it if you are already taking some kind of sedative by prescription, or if you are already on medication for anxiety. Similarly, if you already take medication for heart disease or high blood pressure, you should not take yarrow.