Amanda's Yarrow Materia Medica
I know a lot of you were interested and missed out on the yarrow presentation from Lauren. If you are interested I thought I would share my information on yarrow which includes some of the formulas that were shared in class. It is a complex plant with contradictory actions which I know my paper struggles to present clearly.
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Element:Water
Planets:Venus
Parts Used:Aerial Parts(flowers and leaves).
Growing Conditions:It prefers full sunlight, but can handle part shade. It will grow in most types of average, well-drained soil, including dry and alkaline soil. Is non native, but naturalized. Can take over a garden
Collection:Best harvested during flower
Flavor: pungent, sweet and astringent with bitter taste
Temperature: cooling(bitter) and warming(pungent aromatic)
“It is both cooling and warming, fluid generating and controlling. Remedies with contradictory but complementary properties are often of great utility since they are able to normalize opposing conditions. This is true for yarrow.” (Wood 2009)
Moisture:drying
Tissue State:astringent
Actions: stimulating, warming relaxing
Main Uses:
Physical:anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticatarrhal, emmenagogue, diaphoretic, hepatic stimulant,(hemostatic) styptic, can tone cardiovascular system, vasodilator, antispasmodic to digestive system/smooth muscle, first aid for trauma and bruising, trophorestorative for blood exclusively, astringent to capillaries, helps move stagnant blood, can relieve migraines, fevers(used with elderflower and peppermint), for blood pressure(used with garlic, ginger, and hawthorn), for pelvic congestion
For acute bleeding-topically direct herb or tincture
Bruising or soft tissue injury-salve or cream 2-3 X a day
Headaches 30 drops(½ dropper) 3Xdaily
Irregular periods start 15 drops 3Xdaily
Third spacing(inflammatory response)-internally+topically 60 drops every 4 hrs(with nettle and elderflower)
Mind and Spirit:The flower essence of Yarrow is used for 'spiritual protection', and especially indicated for those who are strongly affected by other peoples' energy.It is helpful for those who need to build, clarify, or solidify boundaries, be they physical or emotional. Boundaries
Magickal Uses: Cleansing and protection, love and divination
Contraindications: Not to be used internally with animals, as it contains some salicylates and thujone. Pregnancy (can be stimulating to the uterus and thins blood). Generally a very safe herb, though large amounts over a long period of time is not recommended
Drug Interactions: Anti-coagulants/anti-platelet drugs CAUTION due to theoretical increased risk of bleeding.