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I Heart Herbs ~ Yarrow


*Please note - The information provided is collected from my various herbal books, classes, and personal research. I am not a doctor. Always, always, always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment. Do your own research and think for yourself. Don't believe everything you read. Questions are good!



Yarrow

Latin Name: Achillea millefolium

Plant Family: Asteracae/Compositae (Daisy)

Character: astringent, cool, dry, slight bitter taste, sweet

Constituents: volatile oil, isovalerianic acid, salicylic acid, asparagin, sterols, flavonoids, bitters, tannins, coumarins, potassium, Vitamin C, fiber

Actions: astringent, digestive stimulant, diuretic, febrifuge, restorative for menstrual system, uterine stimulant

Parts used: Flowers, essential oil, leaves, and aerial parts

Harvest the flowers during summer and autumn.
Harvest the leaves throughout the growing season.



The essential oil is anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic and
an anti-spasmodic.

It can be used in chest rubs for colds and influenza.

Create a massage oil for inflamed joints ~ dilute 5-10 drops of yarrow oil in 25 ml of St. John's Wort oil.


Flowers are used for hay fever and 
various allergic mucus issues.

The leaves can be used fresh for nosebleeds 
for they encourage clotting.

You can wrap fresh leaves on cuts as a poultice.

Yarrow stimulates blood circulation and 
can be used for high blood pressure.

It can be used as a sweating remedy bringing down fevers.

Use yarrow in a compress to soothe varicose veins.


Yarrow was used to treat wounds during the Trojan wars.



Contraindications: Avoid large doses in pregnancy, it is a uterine stimulant. Prolonged use can increase the skin's photo-sensitivity and in rare cases can cause severe allergic skin rashes.



Flower Essence
Yarrow is a great flower essence for sensitive people.

It resets one's aura.

Yarrow flower essence bestows a shining shield of Light which protects and unifies the essential Self, allowing compassionate healing qualities to flow freely from one’s soul to another.

Folklore
As long as you carry a small sprig of yarrow, 
no one will be able to cast a spell on you.


Spiritual and Emotional Properties
Yarrow is the plant of "support", 
call on Yarrow energy whenever you are feeling discouraged.

Yarrow fosters self-worth plus emotional and mental strength.

Yarrow can guide you on the path of righteousness.



Yarrow Plant Spirit Prayer
"O glorious melody, upon your strings, 
enchant us with divine harmony. 
 And unto us, heal the fruits of our many labors."

(from "Plant Spirit Journey" by Laura Silvana)


Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
~Amy
The Magick Muse 


Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 
She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 
Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 
She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.