Yarrow grass is familiar to many. What is this plant used for? In folk and alternative medicine, this herb has been used to treat many diseases for centuries. This is due to the large number of beneficial properties that the plant possesses. Everyone in the medicine cabinet should have a yarrow. It contains a lot of not only tannins, but also useful components.
What is ordinary yarrow
Yarrow grass is a perennial low plant with a fragrant aroma and belongs to the Asteraceae. It differs in a thick rhizome of a yellow hue, having underground shoots and many additional roots. The stem of the plant is erect. In the upper part it branches weakly. On a stalk of small height there are leaves of gray-green color. Oily glands are present on the inside of the leaves.
Yarrow inflorescences are located at the very top of the stems. They consist of a large number of flower baskets. As for the fruit, this is an achene, which has an oblong shape and has a silver-gray hue. The flowering period of the yarrow lasts from June to September, and the fruit ripening period is from September to October.
Collection rules
Yarrow grass is harvested during the flowering period of the plant. Such grass grows in bright forests and open areas. If desired, the plant can be grown on a personal plot. For medicinal purposes, flowering yarrow tops are used. They are cut with the stem, at least 15 cm long. After that, the flowers are torn off. In this case, it is recommended to retreat from the top two centimeters. Such raw materials should be dried in the shade or in a well-ventilated area. The shelf life of yarrow flowers is no more than two years.
Plant properties
Why is yarrow grass so attractive? The medicinal properties and contraindications of this plant have been studied for a long time. First of all, this herb has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. When using drugs based on yarrow, there is an improvement in the work of many systems of the human body.
The plant allows you to get rid of excess gas in the intestines, gently affecting the smooth muscles of the intestines, and also contributes to the formation of mucus. In addition, herb-based drugs have an antispasmodic effect on the urinary and biliary tract.
Yarrow is often used as a wound healing, antiallergic and bactericidal agent. And all thanks to the essential oil, chamazulene and tannins. This is unique and yarrow grass. What is the infusion of this plant used for? It is often used to improve blood coagulation. In this case, the tool does not cause the accumulation of plaques and the formation of blood clots. It is worth noting that yarrow helps well with burns, and also reduces the frequency of contractions of the heart muscles.
Skin diseases
How does yarrow grass work? What is this plant used for and how does it affect the skin? Yarrow-based preparations can eliminate abscesses, boils, ulcers. The plant is also used to treat infected wounds. After all, it contains tannins, flavonoids and essential oil. These components promote healing.
Before using yarrow-based preparations, it is worthwhile to figure out what exactly needs to be cured. Here are the main ailments that they can cope with:
- An abscess is a purulent inflammation with a limited focus. You can notice it with the naked eye. In the middle of the focus there is an accumulation of purulent exudate. In this case, hyperimia occurs around the affected area. When you touch the tissues, pain is felt.
- An ulcer is a violation of the skin of a trophic nature. The healing of such injuries is due to the hemostatic and disinfecting property of yarrow grass.
- A boil is an epidermal inflammation of the hair sacs. In this case, a solid core of pus appears on the affected area. When pressed, pain is felt. Around the focus, tissue redness may be observed.
Means against skin ailments
Yarrow herb, the use of which allows you to get rid of many ailments, is used to prepare a variety of lotions against skin diseases.
First, it is necessary to grind the leaves of the plant, and then pour them ½ liter of water. You need to boil the composition over low heat. The process takes no more than 20 minutes. Means should be well infused for 4 hours. To a whole glass of infusion, add 100 ml of alcohol and a teaspoon of vinegar.
Use this tool should be for the treatment of skin diseases for a week. Infusion of yarrow herb must be applied to the affected areas.
Skin Disease Ointment
In what form is yarrow grass used? What is ointment based on this plant used for? Such a composition is ideal for combating ulcers and boils.
To prepare, you need to pour a large spoonful of crushed dry leaves of the plant with 50 ml of water. The result should be gruel. It must be heated to 60 ° C, and then cooled. In conclusion, the finished product should be mixed with petroleum jelly. For the treatment of diseases, it is necessary to apply ointment to areas of affected tissue.
Diseases of the nervous system
The properties of the yarrow herb make it possible to use the plant for the treatment of neuralgia. This disease refers to attacks of acute pain in the area of origin of the bundles of a particular nerve. Such an ailment has characteristic symptoms. Pathologies are usually accompanied by dull or aching pain along the entire nerve. Over the passage of the beam, the skin may redden or pale. With this ailment, the patient may experience increased sweating, as well as involuntary muscle contractions.
At the moment, there are several main types of neuralgia: the brachial, sciatic nerve and plexus, intercostal, trigeminal and occipital nerve.
Neuralgia and Yarrow Grass
The use of yarrow is allowed with neuralgia. For therapy, lotions, compresses, infusions and decoctions are prepared from raw materials. The latter can be taken orally. However, such treatment may not be enough. Therefore, experts recommend contacting specialized clinics for such pathologies.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the hepatobiliary system
Against gastrointestinal diseases , medicinal herbs are often used. Yarrow, in this case, is no exception. This plant is used to treat hepatitis, pancreatitis, duodenal ulcer and stomach, gastritis and colitis.
Preparations based on this plant can increase appetite, improve digestive processes, and also strengthen the work of some digestive glands. A similar effect is achieved thanks to components such as bitterness and tar. They should be considered in more detail: bitterness is a nitrogen-free substance that has a very bitter taste; resin is a sticky organic compound with a strong aroma. Thanks to such substances, the plant has a wound healing, disinfecting and antimicrobial effect. And this significantly increases the range of application of the yarrow.
In addition to the above, the plant contains ascorbic acid, which not only accelerates the healing of ulcers and wounds, but also increases immunity. Yarrow contains vitamin K - phalloquinone. This substance improves blood coagulation, allows you to stop bleeding, and also accelerate the healing process of wounds and ulcers.
Preparation of a remedy for gastrointestinal diseases
Most often, extracts, infusions and decoctions of yarrow herb are used to treat gastrointestinal diseases. Preparing such drugs is very simple. To begin with, you should grind the grass, pour it into an enameled pan or a container of glass, and then pour unboiled water. The drug should be infused for two hours. After this, the container with the infusion must be placed on the fire and closed with a lid. Boil the broth for half an hour. In this case, the fire under the tank should be small. The product should be mixed regularly. In conclusion, the finished broth needs to be filtered through cheesecloth, and the cake is pressed.
Take this remedy only after consulting a doctor. The specialist will prescribe the dosage and concentration of the drug.
Urinary system diseases and gynecology
Against gynecological diseases, yarrow is also used. The grass, the instructions to which are given below, can facilitate the flow of menstruation by removing painful cramps in the lower abdomen. In addition, plant-based preparations have a hemostatic effect and improve the condition of a woman with uterine bleeding.
Yarrow herb, the use of which is relevant for gynecological diseases, has an antimicrobial effect. This is true for those who have a violation of the integrity of the mucous tissues of the vagina, ulcers and erosion. The plant is also useful for young mothers, as it is able to enhance the allocation of breast milk and significantly improve lactation.
Yarrow liquid extract gives positive results in the treatment of certain gynecological diseases associated with uterine tissue inflammation. In particular, yarrow herb preparations help with fibromic bleeding, endometriosis and endometritis. Medicines from this plant can fight many gynecological diseases. Douching with broth is indicated even for women during pregnancy. After all, a decoction of the grass copes with inflammation of the cervical canal, vagina and uterus.
Other indications for use
Tampons, baths, douching with infusion or a decoction of a mixture of yarrow and chamomile can cope with such vaginal ailments:
- inflammation of the cervical canal - cervitis;
- inflammation of the bartholin glands - bartholinitis;
- inflammation of the vulva - vulvitis;
- fungal colpitis - thrush;
- inflammation of the walls of the vagina - colpitis.
Regular procedures can cope with cervical erosion. After all, a solution of herbs used for douching, baths and for wetting tampons has a wound healing effect.
It is worth noting that yarrow preparations are capable of exerting a regenerative effect on tissues.
Yarrow herb: contraindications
Despite the many positive properties, yarrow herb has contraindications. First of all, you can not use decoctions, extracts and infusions of this plant for oral administration to pregnant women. If there is inflammation of the vaginal tissues, then you need to visit a doctor to get recommendations from him. Douching during pregnancy is not worth it. This can negatively affect the general condition of the mother and fetus.
Also, do not use yarrow-based products for those who have thrombosis. It is forbidden to take preparations from this plant for a long time, as as a result of this, dizziness and rashes on the skin may appear.
In conclusion
Yarrow grass has unique properties. Such a plant is usually used to treat not only gynecological diseases, gastrointestinal problems, wound healing and elimination of neuralgia, but also for the treatment of allergies, diseases of the oral cavity, as well as colds, swelling and severe bruises.