Yarrow or Achillea millefolium is a natural herb that offers a range of health benefits. This perennial herb is mostly found in the northern hemisphere and can grow anywhere in countryside, meadows, pastures, along highways and even waste lands. Yarrow can easily be spotted due to its strong stem, feathery leaves and cluster of white flowers at the top. It is also one of the most versatile healing plants that has been in use since the ancient Greek times. Given below are top 10 amazing benefits of yarrow that make it a wonder herb.
This is one of the famous and ancient yarrow herb uses. This medicinal herb stops bleeding and aids the wound healing process. Besides, it also has properties that relieve pain and prevent further infection. It is also named as nature’s bandage for its potent healing powers for bruises and wounds.
Yarrow has natural diaphoretic property that helps in sweating out toxins from the body. This makes it great in treating colds and fevers. A cup of hot yarrow herb tea will help clear sinus blocks and kicks out toxins and virus from the body.
Owing to its affinity for circulation and blood, yarrow has found multiple applications, both internally and externally. It has been used since ancient times to cure high blood pressure and even to stop blood clots. The toning action in yarrow makes it useful for treating hemorrhoids and varicose veins.
Yarrow has been commonly used by women with heavy menstrual flow to stop excessive bleeding. It also has healing properties to impede internal bleeding caused due to endometriosis, ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids. Yarrow plant has also been used by midwives to prevent hemorrhage during a miscarriage or just after child birth.
Yarrow has also been used extensively to promote digestion. It aids in the secretion of digestive juices and enzymes that stimulate the digestion process and also increases appetite. As yarrow has medicinal property to heal and tone the mucus membrane lining the digestive tract, it has also found use in diverticulitis and colitis. Yarrow is one the traditional remedy for dysentery and diarrhea.
Yarrow can work wonders for your skin and serves as a superb skin wash. The astringent properties make it ideally suitable for oily skin types. Yarrow bath also helps in relieving skin irritations. The essential oils in Yarrow are also used in curing skin eczema.
The anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic actions of yarrow make it a traditional herb used for relieving menstrual cramps. It relaxes the uterine muscles and aids them to work capably without any spasms. Yarrow also relieves congestion of the uterus and promotes blood circulation to the reproductive organs.
Yarrow is an excellent medicinal herb that also aids absorption of nutrients in the body. It also has healing and soothing effect for abscesses and stomach ulcers.
Yarrow is a natural anti-septic for urinary systems. Its diuretic property makes it useful for healing cystitis and other urinary tract infections. Besides, it has also been found useful in treating urinary incontinence and some types of vaginal infections.
Yarrow is certainly not the top choice when it comes to cooking. However the bitter taste of yarrow makes it suitable for adding it to some salads, stews and chicken soup. The leaves of yarrow plant are used as a natural preservative and also add some flavoring to beer.
The medicinal and healing properties of yarrow make it a great herb to treat different kinds of body ailments internally as well as externally. However, it is advisable to take precautions when using it in large portions or very frequently.