Yarrow is a perennial herb belonging to the Astrov family. People call it Cutting grass for the ability to quickly heal cuts and wounds. Externally, the plant can be recognized by single erect stems, which branch strongly at the top. On the stems there are a large number of small dark green leaves collected by the "herringbone".
For medicinal purposes, use the flowers and leaves of the plant. Despite the mass of useful properties, yarrow has a number of contraindications for use. Therefore, therapy with this plant should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor with strict observance of the dosages and duration of the course of treatment.
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Chemical composition and general beneficial properties of yarrow
There are many varieties of this culture. All of them to a certain extent possess medicinal properties. The chemical composition of the plant includes such useful substances:
- Carotene. It has a beneficial effect on tissue growth and regeneration.
- Alkaloids that promote blood coagulation.
- Silicon. It has an antiseptic effect, helps healing wounds, burns.
- Tannins. They have a bactericidal effect, fight inflammation in the body.
- Vitamin K. Helps strengthen blood vessels and accelerate blood coagulation.
- Antimicrobial resins.
- Ascorbic acid, which helps strengthen immunity.
The healing properties of grass
Yarrow has the following medicinal properties:
- hemostatic;
- antiviral;
- antimicrobial;
- anti-inflammatory;
- antiseptic;
- sedative;
- anthelmintic;
- diaphoretic.
Grass is used to treat such diseases:
- diseases of the female and male genitourinary system;
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- gastrointestinal tract diseases (colitis, pancreatitis, diarrhea, flatulence, duodenal ulcers and stomach ulcers);
- neuralgia;
- hemorrhoids;
- hypertension;
- gout;
- rheumatism;
- arthritis;
- arrhythmia;
- ARVI;
- headache, dizziness.
The use of yarrow is included in the list of preventive measures against varicose veins.
Why is essential oil useful?
Essential oil is used in the following cases:
- To facilitate breathing in patients with hay fever. It is also used to get rid of skin manifestations of allergies. Essential oil is recommended for colds: it relieves cough and sputum production.
- Oil helps improve blood circulation.
- Yarrow essential oil has an analgesic property, so it is often used for headaches, aching joints and muscles, cramps, cramps.
- The anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties of aromatic oils help with eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis.It is used as a wound healing agent. Oil perfectly treats burns and smoothes post-burn scars.
- Aroma oil is actively used in cosmetology to improve the condition of the skin and hair, as well as to combat cellulite. In addition to all the listed beneficial qualities, yarrow oil is a repellent. It repels mosquitoes very well.
The main contraindications and yarrow damage to the body
Despite the mass of useful properties, the use of yarrow has a number of contraindications:
- The presence of individual intolerance to plant components.
- Childhood.
- Period of pregnancy.
- The increased acidity of gastric juice.
- Heartburn as a result of an imbalance in the gastric secretion.
- Arterial bleeding.
- Increased blood coagulation.
Yarrow medications should be taken with caution in these categories of patients:
- people with low blood pressure;
- patients whose blood is prone to blood clots.
It is strictly forbidden to use grass collected in ecologically disadvantaged areas. Yarrow, growing in close proximity to busy roads or industrial enterprises, absorbs a lot of toxic substances during photosynthesis. The reaction of the human body to them is unpredictable.
Internal medication requires strict adherence to the recommended dosage. Otherwise, the medicine can cause a number of side effects of an individual nature. A serious overdose leads to severe intoxication of the body, since the plant contains poisons and toxic volatile substances.
Prescriptions and rules for herbal treatment
For medicinal purposes, use a decoction, alcohol tincture, juice and yarrow baths. There are also other dosage forms based on herbs: tea, lotions, ointments, etc.
Decoction
To prepare a decoction of the plant in a small bowl put 2 tbsp. l raw materials and fill it with 200 ml of water. The contents of the vessel are boiled over low heat for half an hour. Then the broth is removed from the stove and left to cool completely. The cold liquid is filtered through several times folded gauze or a fine sieve.
With the help of a decoction, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are treated. It is also taken with high blood pressure and post-cold complications. External use of the decoction strengthens the hair and eliminates an allergic rash. The tool is also taken as a prevention of disorders of the liver and urogenital system.
Alcohol tincture
To prepare the alcohol tincture of yarrow, it is necessary to grind dry grass into powder. 5 tbsp. l powder is poured into a glass container. 100 ml of vodka are poured there. The container is tightly closed with a lid and placed in a dark place (pantry, cabinet). Shake the container well daily. 10 days after preparation, the tincture is ready for use. The medicine is taken inside before eating. The dosage is determined by the doctor.Usually it is 30 drops. The course of therapy takes about a month.
Juice
Yarrow juice is obtained from grass. Freshly picked raw materials are passed through a juicer. For medicinal purposes use only fresh fresh.
Juice is used to treat the common cold. To do this, 2-3 drops of the drug are instilled into the nose 4 times a day. The duration of juice therapy should not exceed 5 days.
Fresh from the yarrow is used as an external wound healing agent. It is applied to cuts and abrasions to speed up the healing process. With the help of juice, inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes of the body is removed.
The use of fresh in combination with honey is prescribed for patients with chronic fatigue and lack of appetite. Juice take 1 tsp. every 8 hours of the wakeful period. The same recipe is used to increase lactation in nursing mothers.
Bath
Yarrow infusion is used to take baths. To prepare the product, dry grass is crushed using a blender. Then it is poured with boiling water at the rate of 100 g of raw material per 100 ml of water. The product is left to cool completely, filtered and added to a warm bath.
The optimal duration of taking a bath is 20 minutes. If you stay longer in the water, a rash or redness may appear on the skin. The course of treatment is 14 days. If necessary, it can be repeated after a break of equal time.
A bath with the infusion of the plant improves skin condition. It becomes smooth, velvety, acne, rash, inflammation go away, cuts and other injuries heal. Also, a herbal bath is useful for menstrual irregularities. But during menstruation, therapy is strictly prohibited.
Yarrow benefits for women and men
For women, grass is actively used in cosmetology:
- It has a positive effect on nails. From regular application of plant oil, they become strong, but retain their plasticity.
- Yarrow is used by women with the problem of hair loss, it improves the general condition of the hair: they give them silkiness, shine.
- Plant-based products relieve skin inflammatory reactions. They are also used to combat black spots, since the grass tends to narrow the pores of the skin. Interesting!The grass removes puffiness and dilates blood vessels, as a result of which the complexion improves. In combination with honey, it smoothes out fine age wrinkles.
- In gynecology, grass is used to eliminate uterine bleeding. Nettle and yarrow medicines are used for uterine fibroids. Plant essential oil normalizes the menstrual cycle. It helps with heavy or, conversely, meager monthly. During menopause, grass-based remedies are used to reduce the symptoms of hot flashes.
Yarrow has a beneficial effect on the urogenital system of men. Medicines based on it can be used both for prophylaxis and in the regimen of complex therapy of prostatitis. It is believed that grass enhances potency. Yarrow improves immunity, tones the body, which improves the overall well-being of men, increases efficiency, endurance.
Common questions
Yarrow is a very useful plant with medicinal properties. The use of drugs based on it is limited by some contraindications, therefore it is recommended to discuss plant therapy with a doctor.