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Thousand Seal | | Name : | Thousand Seal | | Synonyms : | Bloodwort
Gandana(Sanskrit name)
I-chi-kao(Chinese name)
Ladies'mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)
Milfoil
Millifolium
Nobleyarrow
Nosebleed
Oldman's pepper
Sanguinary
Soldier'swoundwort
Stanchgrass
Thousandleaf
Thousandleal
Thousandseal
| | Parts Used : | Whole plant in flower, dried in the shade. (usually leaves and flowers) | | Habitat : | Native to Europe, now commonly found growing wild in North America(except far north). Yarrow is a familiar plant in meadows and fields,along the sides of country lanes, roadsides, on embankments, and inlandfills and garbage dumps. | | Description : | Yarrowis a hardy, weedy perennial, grows 8-18 inches (20-45 cm), sometimesto 24 inches (60 cm), tall. If cultivatedand fertilized, can grow to 5 feet. It is identifiablein part by the finely divided leaves (millefolium = of a thousandleaves) and the erect flowering stalk with the white or reddish compositeflowers that are arranged in panicled false umbels, and in part byits aromatic scent, which is released when the leaves and flowersare crushed. Borne in large, flat, dense clusters 6 inchesin diameter, the flowers are on top of the erect stems. Each flowerhead resembles a single flower but has five ray florets and a centraldisk. Flowers in summer to early fall. Seeds have small wings.
It has soft, greyish, feathery, ethereal-looking leaves. The flowersare usually white but hybrids of today come in lavenders, reds, lemon-yellowand pinks. Varieties: A tomentosa, A. filipendulina, A decolorans.The white blooming A. millefolium is the most cultivatedfor medicinal use.
Raising yarrow from seed is possible, but quite involved. Collecta few plants from the roadside, etc., and set them 6-8 inches(15-20 cm) apart in normal garden soil in a sunny location.Everything else will take care of itself, as long as the area hasno standing water. Zones 3-10. Not heat tolerant.
Other varieties: Achillea lanulosa; Shoshone name 'Pannonzia', thewhole plant was boiled and applied as a poultice for felon. Tea fromthe root for gas pains (at Owyhee, Nevada). | | Constituents : | Yarrow yields a volatile oil containing azulene, also gum, tannin,resin, chlorides of calcium and potassium, and various salts suchas nitrates, malates, and phosphorus, cineol and proaculene, achilleine(which is the bitter component of the herb), and vitamin C.Over a 100 biologically active compounds have been identified fromyarrow.
Astringent, antispasmodic, tonic, promotes sweating, styptic, hemostatic,alterative, diuretic, vulnerary, diaphoretic, carminitive, and stomachic | | Uses : | Used since antiquity for headaches,fevers (drink hot yarrow tea),colds, and influenza.Helps curb diarrhea, dysentery,anemia, gas, diabetes,Bright's disease, palpitations and excessivemenstruation. Treatment for gastrointestinal and gallbladdercomplaints, gonorrhea, toothache(chew the leaves), lack ofappetite, and catarrhs of the digestive system, hyperacidity,nervousness, nosebleed,bleeding from the lungs, anorexia,enteritis, stomach ulcers, hemoptysis,gastritis, high bloodpressure, styptic, and sleepdisturbances, produces a feeling of peace and relaxation for womenin the menopause, and isa tonic. Yarrow, eitheras a tea or as a bath additive, has proved helpful in allaying rheumaticpain and control of high blood pressure. Used for smallpox, typhoidfever, measles, malaria(Yarrow is more effective than quinine), and chickenpoxto relieve itching.
In antiquity, and during the Middle Ages, yarrow was used primarilyto treat old wounds.As a wash, it can be used to stop bleeding from piles,nosebleeds, and cuts , andto soothe sores and bruises.
Used as an insect repellent for Japanese beetles, ants and flies.Plant as a border to the garden. | | Dosage : | For medicinal purposes, all the flowering parts above ground areused, everything except the lower, lignified parts of the plant. Cutit up to dry in the open air, then cut it into small pieces and storeit in containers that can be tightly closed, protected from lightand dampness.
One or two cups of tea made from the leaves or blossoms is reputedto stop nausea within minutes.
Tea: steep 1 heaping tsp. in 1 cup boiling waterfor 30 minutes. Drink 3 or 4 cupsper day an hour before meals and upon retiring. It must be warm tobe effective.
Take one wineglassful night and morning of a standard infusion fromthe leaves and occasional flowers. | | Safety : | Yarrow interferes with the absorption of iron and other minerals.
Small numbers of cases of allergic reactions have been reported uponcontact with the plant; their skin turned red and an itchy rash developed.Such people also cannot tolerate yarrow tea or yarrow baths. Discontinuethe treatment at once if problems of this kind appear. Then the allergicreaction will disappear quickly. Avoid large doses in pregnancy becausethe herb is a uterine stimulant.
Large or frequent doses taken over a long period may be potentiallyharmful. Contains thujone, considered toxic. Consult with the doctor. | | Myths : | Yarrow has been used medicinally for centuries. Its ancient pedigreeis clear from its generic name, Achillea: the Greek hero Achilleswas taught by the centaur Chiron to use yarrow to heal wounded soldiersat Troy during the Trojan War. The noble and valiant Achilles, whoseacts were described by Homer, is said to have used yarrow to curethe wounds and sores of Telephus, the son of Hercules. Today yarrowis grown for its lovely, flat-headed flower clusters and interestingfoliage.
This herb has a long history of association with the occult and mystical.The stalks are used for divining the Chinese I Ching.
Yarrow was one of the witch herbs, and it was believed that carryingit at weddings guaranteed seven years of married bliss. (Then theseven-year itch probably set in?) |
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