Herbs for Winter

Herbs for Winter

Herb Profile :Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium)

Yarrow is an amazing plant. It grows up to 50cm high, has feathery leaves, and a tall flower spike with white flowers. The flowers are tiny and are in a cluster. They look similar to a carrot flower or parsley flower. At night time the white flowers almost glow in the moonlight. Yarrow is one of may favourite herbs that I use extensively.

Yarrow is a plant of many uses and abilities. It is most famous for its ability to stop the flow of blood from wounds, which is its traditional use. Apply the herb directly to the wound, first chewing it an applying it or pounding it with a mallet if you have time to get to the kitchen. You will then feel a throbbing in the wound which is the effect of the herb in stopping the blood flow. Living on a farm, not close to medical care I have found this herb to be invaluable on many occasions.

For women it can be used to either encourage menstruation or slow  down your bleeding if you have too much . Yarrow has the magical ability to do what appear to be two opposite things. This is really due to yarrows make up and makes it a great herb to have in your herbal medicine chest.

Yarrow is a bitter and good for digestion. It is particularly good for encouraging circulation to extremities, it also helps the liver. This it does supporting the circulation of blood to the liver.

Yarrow is also excellent at helping the body get rid of a fever. It encourages perspiration and  supports circulation and flushes out the temperature. It is part of the traditional cold  herbal tea remedy of : Yarrow, Mint and Elderflower. I find that yarrow and mint work just as well, and often add lemon balm to this. At the first sign of a cold (ie when you are feeling cold or under the weather) sit down and make sure you are warm enough and drink the above not tea. You will be surprised how quickly it can help.

Yarrow is also used to help protect people from radiation, either from radiation therapy, or from power lines etc. It's effect is strong but subtle.  If you want confirmation of this. Look where yarrow grows wild. You will often find it at the base of power poles and under power lines. Yarrow also relaxes you and it has a substance in it that is pain killing. This adds to it's  effectiveness in helping with the above conditions.

So as a herb for winter it is really powerful, it helps warm you, aid circulation, remove temperatures, stops bleeding, and protects you from radiation. All this medicine from one plant. Grow some in your garden today!

Many Blessings

Lisa McAndrew