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 made from 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: photos and general information
First, consider the general information. In folk medicine, the yarrow flowers are most often used. This is a perennial low plant with a thick yellowish rhizome.
The stem of the plant is erect, and its upper part branches a little. The leaves of the plant are small, regular. They have a grayish green tint. There are small oil glands on the underside of the leaf blade. The plant produces a specific odoriferous substance.
Inflorescences are located on the top of the stem - in fact, these are complex baskets. The flowers are small and, as a rule, have a white color (sometimes with a grayish, pinkish or even blue tint). By the way, there are varieties of yarrow with yellow flowers.
The plant is very unpretentious and resistant to environmental influences. 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 which cases are yarrow flowers used? The healing properties of this plant have long been known. Yarrow contains the specific enzyme achillein, which is known for 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, and 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 a tablespoon of herbs 250 ml of boiling water and insist. The tool 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 teaspoon with a glass of boiling water, insist for 10 minutes, and then strain. It is recommended to take half a glass 2 to 3 times a day. By the way, this medicine helps to cope not only with heartburn. It is taken with bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, stomach cramps.
It must be understood that herbal medicines can be used only with the permission of a doctor. Such drugs are often used as auxiliary, but they are not able to replace full-fledged drug therapy.
Skin Disease Treatment
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 ulcers and boils. Two tablespoons of dried flowers and herbs of the plant pour 50 ml of hot water. The mixture in a water bath needs to be warmed up to 60 - 70 degrees, then insist. Chilled broth should be filtered and mixed with 20 g of petroleum jelly. The resulting ointment needs to lubricate damaged areas of the skin several times a day.
- Two tablespoons of dried flowers pour 500 ml of water. The mixture is brought to a boil, after which it is kept on low heat for 20 minutes. The tool 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. In the solution, you need to moisten the swab and apply to the affected area of the skin. Such lotions are effective in the presence of acne, skin inflammation, rash, ulcers.
Plant Health Benefits
In traditional medicine, this plant is widely used to treat diseases of the female genital area.
- If irregular menstruation takes place, then a very effective medicine can be prepared. A tablespoon of dried flowers pour 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.
- With the help of yarrow infusion, uterine bleeding can be treated. 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 strengthening hair
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 state of hair.
- The essential and vegetable oils contained in the flowers moisturize the curls, make them more elastic.
- Yarrow has been proven to accelerate 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 an 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. The same amount of infusion is distributed along the entire length of the hair. The remaining volume of the drug is added to the water for rinsing.
Fortifying Tea
Traditional healers recommend drinking yarrow teas from time to time. It’s easy to prepare them: pour two teaspoons of raw materials with 250 ml of boiling water, insist for 15 minutes and filter. Drinking 2-3 cups a day is recommended. This is a general strengthening agent that positively affects the state of the immune system, gives energy and tones the whole body. Reviews confirm that this tool is really effective. People say that they feel much better: they feel better, they have more energy, and sleep problems disappear. The course of therapy lasts about two weeks. It must 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 make a tincture. 30 g of dried flowers need to pour a glass of vodka. We close the container with a lid and keep it in a dark place for two weeks. Periodically, the jar should be shaken. After 14 days, the tincture can be filtered and taken three times a day, 30 drops.
- A 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, accelerate the healing process of wounds, ulcers and other injuries.
- Concentrated broth needs to rinse the mouth with stomatitis, gingivitis and other diseases. The procedure must be repeated 3-5 times a day.
Contraindications
In folk medicine, yarrow flowers are widely used. The value of this plant for health is difficult to overestimate. But is it always possible to use the above medicines?
In fact, there are contraindications, although there are not so many of them. Medications based on yarrow flowers are sometimes not worth taking.
- Do not use decoctions and infusions inside with increased acidity of gastric juice.
- If a person has a tendency to form blood clots, then using such funds is not worth it.
- 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, in large quantities, act as toxins, 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 in the presence of arterial bleeding.
Remember that you can not refuse medication in favor of folk remedies. All homemade recipes can only be used with the permission of a doctor.
Are side effects possible?
Is it always safe to use medicines based on yarrow flowers? According to reviews and statistics, most often taking such drugs is very rarely accompanied by any complications. Adverse reactions, as a rule, arise either against the background of an overdose, or as a result of too long therapy.
Some people report nausea that sometimes ends with vomiting. The formation of redness and a rash on the skin is possible, which is accompanied by itching, burning and other unpleasant sensations. Sometimes headaches, dizziness appear. 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 raw materials on their own.
If we are talking about growing, it is worth noting that the 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 spring, grass also propagates by dividing rhizomes.
The plant is recommended to be dug up and transplanted to another place every five years. For winter, the bush is cut, and shoots, the length of which is less than 12 cm, are left.
As for the collection, this is best done in the first half of summer (maximum until mid-August). During this period, the leaves and flowers of the plant contain the largest amount of nutrients.
You should not tear out a plant with roots - you need to cut the stem with flowers about 15 cm long. The flowers can be carefully cut and dried separately. By the way, the effect of 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 five years.