Herbal Research

Helpful For

Yarrow, the master of blood, though yarrow can help stop bleeding yarrow can be very helpful in increasing blood circulation and movement, somehow this plant just seems to know what needs to be done when she comes in contact with blood.

• Vulinerary- Clots blood, slow and even stops bleeding- great as a poultice onto wounds- there is even antiseptic action found in yarrow. Also handy for nose bleeds, poison ivy, acne, bruises, sprains, bites, stings and even snake bites (may not suggest for venomous snake bites-you need to get the venom out not seal it in though always seek emergency care after a snake bite)

  • Though this plant can be helpful in stopping the flow of blood the intelligent life of yarrow can also be helpful for moving blood for example place topically on a bruise to help that blood break up and move along.

• Root has been found to numb and even stop pain- analgesic properties

• Tonic-uterine-Reduce excessive menstrual bleeding and help with relief of painful menses. Supports circulation in the uterus and improves tone while reducing spasms. Also you can find help here with scanty menses and help increase the flow

• Hemostatic- can be helpful for stopping internal bleeding (bleeding ulcers) when drinking a strong tea 3-5 times a couple days (add peppermint, spearmint or another herb you enjoy the flavor of to help with taste), the leaves were used often for soldiers injuries (plant material/marc in a bandage and pressure should be the preferred way to apply if possible when placing marc directly to a wound)

• Antispasmodic, anti inflammatory and pain reliever- science has found salicylic acid (similar to the active ingredient in aspirin) amidst other constituents. Reducing inflammation and spasms is also a big step towards lowering pain levels.

• Yarrow and spearmint are amphoteric (moves in the directions it is needed)

• Yarrow like its name Achillea for Achilles, a great strong warrior- is very helpful for emotional strength and protection when going into stressful unpleasant situations , like for firemen, or dealing with emotional trauma, or that conversation you do not want to have with the boss/employee etc…

• With its diffusive actions inducing sweating to help reduce fevers but also as a blood stimulant to help get blood moving to the peripheries it has been found to reduce blood pressure some as well as help manage a fever.

• Enhancer- many have said that yarrow can enhance the actions of herbs that it is paired with even medications- keep caution in mind for this may not always be desired

• Cholagogue/Stimulant Liver (Hepatic)- Though not in extremes yarrow can go both ways in helping to drain and cool the liver when inflamed conditions are present but also can help stimulate and move liver function upwards when stagnation is present.

Animals & Plants

Achillea millefolium is the white flowering species native to Europe and Asia. Was introduced to north america by the europeans and crossbred with native species to america which include- Achillea millefolium variation lanulosa and occidentalis. Plant spreads through rhizomes and self seeding. Can be tolerant to poor soil and drought. Volatile oils can be highest in flowers during dry weather, consider waiting to harvest after a bit of a drought. Good for pollinators. This plant can be found from sea level all the way up to 11,00 feet in elevation.  This plant can reach 3 feet in height sporting featherlike leaves growing spirally on an erect stem; millefolium meaning thousand leaves so look for feathery leaves.. Producing flowering heads on top of four to nine bracts forming dense clusters of disk and tiny ray (five petaled flowers) blossoms varying in color from white, pink and yellow. With yarrow's deep roots which can become mineral rich, very good for the animals that graze on it and help prevent mineral deficiencies, this plant can also help combat soil erosion. A good plant to have in the feeding fields.

Plants that can look similar until closer inspection to take note of would be ladys lace or queen anns lace. You can always tell you have yarrow by looking at the leaves. Yarrow normally does not flower in the first year.

Friends of yarrow- shepherd’s purse, rose, chamomile, calendula, st john’s wort, lavender, rosemary

Myth, History & Traditional

The father of taxonomy authorized the genus name in 1753. Achillea millefolium is the specific species for which the entire genus is named.

Historically called the carpenters plant since carpenters would always carry some yarrow in a pouch ready to come to their aid when they got injured.

Chinese herbalists believe yarrow is the perfect balance of yin and yang, have even used dried stems in some divinations. A tea of yarrow may be commonly suggested to help prevent coagulation or clotting of the blood (thrombosis) after a stroke or heart attack

Yarrow was planted around the grave of Confucius

The Navajo in the southwest have referred to this plant as life medicine, using it as a tonic to restore vitality. Some would even chew the leaves for a toothache, while some Cherokee drank as a tea to reduce fever and help with restful sleep. It has been sought by some for pain relief and a headache medicine by the Pawnee to the Miwok. The Chippewa would inhale the steamed leaves to combat headaches. The Zuni have been said to chew the roots and blossoms and then apply to their feet before fire walking.

Plumajillo (spanish for little feather) is what they have called yarrow in new mexico and southern Colorado 

One of the first plant stories I ever heard was of Achilles and his birth. His mother Thetis had taken Achilles by the “HEEL '' and dipped him in a yarrow potion or vat (book from 6th grade library) to make him immortal but since she was holding his heel that is why it was his weak point his “achilles heel”. Though as I got older I discovered the more popular story of him being dipped in the river styx instead of yarrow but in both tells he did carry yarrow with him to heal his wounded soldiers. Either way the story is told, a plant has become immortal just as Achilles. 

Preparations

Soaps, tincture, fresh, tea, food, poultice, mead or beer making buddy 

Young leaves can be eaten in a salad or pasta etc. 

A recipe I came across on the internet. I cannot remember the page but my house enjoys this dish with turkey and asparagus

• 8 oz dried penne pasta

• 4 tbsp fresh garlic

• Sea salt

• 4 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp crushed red pepper, unless you like spicier, add more

• Large handful of chopped yarrow leaves picked from the stem 2 tsp-1 tbsp

• ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar or white wine or white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar (taste preference)

• You can add some cut small chicken, steak, pork, turkey or even fish if you want (asparagus would be so yummy!)

  • Bring a pot of very salty water to a boil ( you want to taste the salt at least a little in the water, almost like making a brine). Add pasta and cook till al dente. While boiling, heat garlic in a pan with oil until lightly brown and aromatic. Careful not to burn the garlic, then remove from heat and allow a minute to cool before adding the vinegar or wine you chose and add the pasta once it is done. Mix the pasta to coat over medium low heat just enough to heat through and blend flavors of oil and wine/vinegar. At this point you could add a tbsp of butter and add the yarrow and crushed red pepper and keep mixing till heated through. Serve with parmesan cheese sprinkled on top and you could even drizzle some olive oil if you wish for more flavor.

Cautions

Large doses should be avoided during pregnancy. Some people do have allergies to yarrow.

Food for Thought 

Notes

Research Materials

Yarrow- Plant Images- Achillea millefolium

  Helpful to/for

• Digestive aid, Carminative, laxative (mild), Bitter, Stimulant, cholagogue- Gas and digestive complaints. Helps stimulate digestive fluids (bile flow) before a meal. Good as a simple bitter. (one herb in a bottle). Can be helpful for upset stomach, gas, leaky gut

Nervine, Sedative, warming stimulant- Can help to settle your feathers and nest in, or you could say to get into a more parasympathetic state or meditative state with the mind (third eye) open instead of a hyper focused one track state of being. Help to move away from an anxiety type of focus. Warming stimulant can be helpful for getting some motivation in a more relaxed, restful down to earth way.

Emangogue, Relaxant- Help stimulate stagnant slow menstruation. Helpful in relaxing the bound/ tight pelvic region. Helpful aid in relieving pelvic pain and congestion.

Expectorant action can help to thin and loosen mucus buildup especially after a bad cold or lung infection.

Hepatic- A little bit of liver stimulation. Adding a small amount to the morning routine mix can be helpful to be grounding while providing some stimulation to the liver

Warming bitter

Can be helpful for nervous stomach or stomach upsets that coincide with anxiety or stress even motion sickness

Stimulant- There have been some mentions and success of chewing on the root to help attain some absorption/attention of what's going on around/within you; for example studying all night then going to class and just feel nothing is being absorbed, trouble keeping focus another example that comes to mind is being scatterbrained in which calamus may help unscatter that energy. Has also been found to help to give a nice vigorous boost in the way of not hyperactivity but in “I can keep going for a bit more”

Sedative- Strongly helpful for anxiety (those daily little anxieties) , getting that grounded centered feeling not a put you to sleep feeling. Headaches and other nervous complaints have found much aid through this part of action.  

         Animals & Plants

• Yellow green, glossy like Cat-tail or iris-like leaves that can be 2-3 ft in length with a single vertical midrib/spadix/fingerlike cone which is where you will find little flowers. Likes to grow in wet places often next to other waterweeds Often an entire colony can be found without any flowers. . Flowers May- August. There are many different varieties of Calamus found from America, Europe to the Himalayas, Japan and Persia just to mention a few places.

Friends- Angelica, chamomile, fennel licorice, ginger, dandelion, burdock

         Myth, HIstory & Traditional

• Has been traditionally favored by actors, singers and performers. Chewing on a piece of root can help numb the vocal cords and even increase range to help hit the higher notes.

Folklore speaks of “Mongolian poison” for it has been said that the Mongols would plant Calamus in bodies of water they found to help purify the water for drinking. So when someone found this growing where Calamus had not been seen before, they would fear the Mongols were nearby. The roots will absorb what is in the water that it is growing in and that is not always something you would want to ingest. Calamus may also be grown nicely in a pot, forewarning though if growing indoors insects will still like the stagnant water so change water to help keep down this potential for insect invasion.

Has also been found helpful with fogginess in the mind for head trauma patients also aid in improving concentration.

The meditative aid of Calamus root has been used during Indian sundances and other rituals where you would still want to be moving and open while relaxed and meditative. 

Calamus has traditionally been spoken of as a plant that increases vitality and preserves life.

         Preparations

• Chew on a piece of root for an overused voice.

The broken and bruised leaves giving such a sweet smell can make a nice smudge or strewing herb. Interesting infusions and tinctures.

Essential oil mixed with water can be a helpful pest remedy along with strewing the leaves or even dispersing some of the powdered root. It might not kill the insects but has had success in repelling them.

         Cautions

• Some mention of liver damage and other mentions of hallucinogenic effects from high concentrated doses of the essential oil, studies where they took one part of the plant made very concentrated samples and then directly injected into rats :l :(..... Simple preparations of tea, tincture etc.. of this plant (the root) are safe. It would take a large amount to achieve damaging states to the liver. 

         Food for Thought

• Doctrine of signatures mentions it resembles a trachea though the pictures I have seen of this plant makes me think of a young gentleman standing next to the water at full attention. There is some mention of increased libido in men and women.

There is a report of Native Americans using calamus root to cure diabetes in adults after a few months of use. With evidence of increased insulin sensitivity and hypoglycemic effects found in the plants constituents and the bitter qualities with all those digestive aid and nutrition absorption would help bring understanding with success in helping adult onset diabetes. 

Similar in action as Angelica by way of digestive actions. Similar in action (yet more like a good firm hug) as Chamomile when it comes to the nervous system.