Reduce Inflammation And Improve Wound Healing with Yarrow

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by: vitanet1
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Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2011 Time: 12:24 AM
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Anciently, yarrow was used by the Greeks and was named after Achilles, the legendary warrior. According to legends, during the conquest of Troy, Achilles applied yarrow to the wounds of his soldiers. This herb was also used anciently for menstrual problems, indigestion, hemorrhoids, and wounds. Also, yarrow was used in China for inflammation, bleeding, wounds, and snakebites. This herb is native to Europe and Asia.

A seventeenth-century English herbalist by the name of Nicholas Culpeper suggested that yarrow be used for wounds, inflammation, and bleeding. It is thought that colonists most likely introduced the use of yarrow into the New World. The Paiutes used this herb as a tea to treat a weak stomach. It was also used by some Native American tribes to treat swelling, earaches, bruises, and abrasions.

This herb was listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1863 to 1882. There, it was recommended for promoting menstruation and also for its stimulant properties. Yarrow has been used for almost every ailment in its history. It also has proven healing properties.

Yarrow is well known for its ability to help stimulate clotting of cuts and abrasions. The herb may speed healing, relieve inflammation, and reduce the pain of injuries. It acts as a blood cleanser. Also, it is good for colds, fevers, flu, lung disorders, nosebleeds, and perspiration. Also, yarrow helps to regulate and improve the function of the liver. The herb is great for toning the mucous membranes of the stomach and bowels. It also aids the glandular system.

Using yarrow to heal wounds has evidence to back it up. Research has determined that this herb contains slight antibiotic properties that may protect an injury from infection. It has also demonstrated some antispasmodic properties which work to relax smooth muscles in the digestive tract and uterus. Yarrow may help with digestion, along with menstrual cramps, which was its traditional use. Azulene is a volatile oil that is found in yarrow. It, along with other related compounds, have been shown in studies to have anti-inflammatory properties that help with wound healing, which usually involves some inflammation. The thujone content that is found in yarrow has a slight sedative effect. In large doses, thujone can be toxic. However, recommended amounts of yarrow seem to be safe. Reportedly, yarrow has properties to protect the liver from toxic chemical damage and to treat hepatitis.

In short, the yarrow flower is used to provide alterative, antiseptic, astringent, blood purifier, diaphoretic, diuretic, hemeostatic, and stimulant properties. The primary nutrients found in this herb are copper, iodine, iron, manganese, potassium, and vitamins A, C, E, F, and K. Primarily, yarrow is extremely beneficial in treating blood impurities, hemorrhage of the bowels, catarrh, colds, fevers, flu, hemorrhage of the lung, measles, nosebleeds, and blocked perspiration. Additionally, this herb is very helpful in dealing with abrasions, ague, appetite problems, bladder ailments, blood pressure, Bright's disease, bronchitis, bruises, burns, cancer, chicken pox, cramps, cuts, diarrhea in infants, epilepsy, female disorders, gas, hair loss, headaches, hemorrhoids, hysteria, jaundice, malaria, menstrual bleeding, mucous membranes, pleurisy, pneumonia, rheumatism, skin problems, smallpox, stomach problems, typhoid fever, ulcers, and uterine problems.

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Health just about everything with the herb Yarrow. VitaNet, LLC Vitamin Store. http://vitanetonline.com/