Yarrow flowers are often used in folk medicine. This plant has a lot of useful properties and has a beneficial effect on almost all organ systems. Medicines prepared from the flowers are used to treat disorders of the reproductive, digestive, and nervous systems. They are also used for skin and hair care.
Of course, many people are interested in more information. What does a yarrow flower look like? How to grow a plant and harvest raw materials? What properties does the plant have? How to apply it correctly? The answers to these questions are worth exploring.
Yarrow flowers: photo and general information
First, let's look at some general information. In folk medicine, yarrow flowers are most often used. This is a perennial low plant with a thick yellowish rhizome.
The stem of the plant is upright, and its upper part branches a little. The leaves of the plant are small, alternate. They have a grayish green tint. On the underside of the leaf blade there are small oil glands. The plant produces a specific fragrant substance.
At the top of the stem are inflorescences - in fact, these are complex baskets. The flowers are small and usually white (sometimes with a grayish, pinkish or even blue tinge). By the way, there are varieties of yarrow with yellow flowers.
The plant is very unpretentious and resistant to the external environment. Flowers can grow on the edges and clearings in the forest, in gardens, parks, along roadsides.
What properties does the plant have? Indications for use
In what cases are yarrow flowers used? The medicinal properties of this plant have been known for a long time. Yarrow contains the specific enzyme achillein, which is known for its hemostatic properties. Simply put, this substance stops bleeding, not only superficial (caused by external injuries), but also internal (gastric, uterine, nasal).
The plant affects the nervous system, helps to cope with nervousness, stress, insomnia. In addition, it is widely used to treat diseases of the digestive tract, the female reproductive system. The plant has a beneficial effect on the immune system, increasing the body's resistance to the effects of certain infections. Decoctions and infusions of yarrow in folk medicine are used for gout, rheumatism, urolithiasis, arrhythmias.
Recipes for the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract
The plant has a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, therefore it is widely used to treat certain diseases.
- Pour 250 ml of boiling water over a tablespoon of herbs and insist. The remedy should be taken 3-4 times a day for a tablespoon. It is believed that the medicine is effective in acute forms of gastritis.
- With heartburn, a weak infusion of yarrow flowers will help. Pour a glass of boiling water over a teaspoon, insist for 10 minutes, then strain. It is recommended to take half a glass 2-3 times a day. By the way, this medicine helps to cope not only with heartburn. It is taken for bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, stomach cramps.
You need to understand that herbal medicines can be used only with the permission of a doctor. Such remedies are often used as an adjunct, but they are not able to replace full-fledged drug therapy.
Treatment of skin diseases
Decoctions and infusions of yarrow are widely used in cosmetology not only for skin care, but for the treatment of various skin diseases.
- You can prepare an effective remedy for the treatment of small sores and boils. Two tablespoons of dried flowers and herbs plants pour 50 ml of hot water. The mixture in a water bath should be heated to 60 - 70 degrees, then insist. The cooled broth must be filtered and mixed with 20 g of petroleum jelly. The resulting ointment should be lubricated with damaged skin several times a day.
- Two tablespoons dryflowers pour 500 ml of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then keep it on low heat for 20 minutes. The remedy is insisted for four hours, after which it is filtered. To the resulting broth add 100 ml of alcohol and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Soak a swab in the solution and apply to the affected area of the skin. Such lotions are effective in the presence of acne, skin inflammation, rashes, ulcers.
Benefits of the plant for women's he alth
In folk medicine, this plant is widely used to treat diseases of the female genital area.
- If there is irregular menstruation, then a very effective medicine can be prepared. Pour a tablespoon of dried flowers with a glass of boiling water, cover and leave for two hours, then strain. Folk healers recommend taking a tablespoon three times a day, preferably before meals.
- Uterine bleeding can be treated with yarrow infusion. Pour a tablespoon of dry raw materials into a thermos and pour 300 ml of boiling water and leave for an hour. Strained medicine should be taken three times a day for 1/3 cup.
Yarrow for hair strengthening
The healing properties of yarrow flowers are also known to cosmetologists. Medicines prepared on the basis of this raw material have a beneficial effect on the condition of the hair.
- Essential and vegetable oils contained in flowers moisturize curls, make them more elastic.
- Yarrow has been proven to increase hair growth while making it stronger.
- The plant is used to treat dandruff.
You can prepare an effective medicine at home. Pour 10 g of dried flowers with a glass of boiling water - it is better to prepare the infusion in a thermos. After the remedy is infused, it can be filtered. Two tablespoons of the medicine should be rubbed into the hair roots and scalp. We distribute the same amount of infusion along the entire length of the hair. The rest of the medicine is added to the water for rinsing.
Fortifying tea
Traditional healers recommend drinking yarrow tea from time to time. Cooking them is simple: pour two teaspoons of raw materials into 250 ml of boiling water, insist for 15 minutes and filter. It is recommended to drink 2-3 cups a day. This is a general tonic that has a positive effect on the state of the immune system, gives energy and tones the entire body. Reviews confirm that this tool is really effective. People note that they feel much better: they feel better, they have more energy, problems with sleep disappear. The course of therapy lasts about two weeks. It needs to be repeated periodically.
Other recipes
Of course, there are a huge number of other recipes that are used in the presence of certain problems.
- You can also make a tincture. 30 g of dried flowers should be poured with a glass of vodka. Close the container with a lid and keep in a dark place for two weeks. Periodicallyshake the jar. After 14 days, the tincture can be filtered and taken three times a day, 30 drops each.
- Decoction of the flowers of the plant can be added to bathing water. Such baths have a positive effect on the condition of the skin, help relieve inflammation, cope with rashes and acne, speed up the healing process of wounds, ulcers and other injuries.
- Concentrated decoction should be used to rinse the mouth with stomatitis, gingivitis and other diseases. The procedure should be repeated 3 - 5 times a day.
Contraindications for use
Yarrow flowers are widely used in folk medicine. The importance of this plant for he alth cannot be overestimated. But is it always possible to use the above medicines?
In fact, there are contraindications, although there are not so many of them. Medicines based on yarrow flowers are sometimes not worth taking.
- Do not use decoctions and infusions with increased acidity of gastric juice.
- If a person has a tendency to form blood clots, then you should not use such funds.
- The list of contraindications also includes the period of pregnancy and lactation, as well as children's age (up to 6-7 years).
- Some substances contained in the plant act as toxins in large quantities, so you should not abuse the above drugs - you must follow the recommended doses.
- You need to understand that decoctions of yarrow flowers are not able to help withpresence of arterial bleeding.
Remember that you can not refuse medical treatment in favor of folk remedies. All homemade recipes can be used only with the permission of a doctor.
Are there any possible side effects?
Is it always safe to use medicines based on yarrow flowers? According to reviews and statistics, most often the use of such funds is very rarely accompanied by any complications. Adverse reactions, as a rule, occur either against the background of an overdose or as a result of too long therapy.
Some people experience bouts of nausea, sometimes ending in vomiting. The formation of redness and rash on the skin is possible, which is accompanied by itching, burning and other unpleasant sensations. Sometimes there are headaches, dizziness. In women, such therapy is sometimes associated with menstrual irregularities.
Harvesting yarrow flowers. Growing and harvesting
Of course, dried flowers can be purchased at almost any pharmacy. But many people prefer to harvest their own raw materials.
If we are talking about cultivation, then it is worth noting that this plant is very unpretentious - it grows both in the sun and in partial shade (but a constant shadow is undesirable). Seeds for seedlings are sown in April (in pots). In the spring, the grass also reproduces by dividing the rhizomes.
The plant is recommended to be dug up and replanted every five years. For the winterthe bush is cut off, and the shoots, the length of which is less than 12 cm, are left.
As for the collection, it is better to do it in the first half of summer (maximum until mid-August). During this period, the leaves and flowers of the plant contain the greatest amount of nutrients.
Don't uproot the plant - cut off the stem with the flowers about 15 cm long. The flowers can be carefully cut and dried separately. By the way, exposure to direct sunlight on plant materials is undesirable - it is recommended to dry the plants under a canopy. Dried flowers can be stored and used for up to five years.
