YARROW TEA (Achillea Millefolium)

An amazing tea that can help with colds and flu, and also help you see in pure colour. Yarrow has an ancient history. The generic name comes from Achilles who, according to legend, saved the lives of his warriors by healing their wounds with yarrow leaves. Crushed and rolled in the hands the plant provides a temporary styptic to check blood flow. Millefolium means 'thousand leaves' which were reputed to help with binding a wound and helping a scab to form. One of this astringent herb's ancient names is 'Soldier's Woundwort', along with 'Carpenter's Weed', 'Staunchweed' and others that show its popularity and prolonged use over many centuries.

The herb tea has also been used in the past for stimulating appetite, helping stomach cramps, flatulence, gastritis, enteritis, gallbladder and liver problems and internal haemorrhage - particularly of the lungs. It's effect is described as 'diaphoretic', causing the dilation of surface capillaries and helping poor circulation. The promotion of sweating can be useful for fevers and colds. Yarrow mixed with Elderflower and Peppermint (sometimes Boneset) is an old remedy for colds. A decoction of yarrow has been used for all sorts of external wounds and sores from chapped skin or sore nipples. In China Yarrow is still considered to have sacred properties, readers of the I Ching will often use Yarrow stalks in their studies.

There is one danger to overuse of yarrow internally: prolonged use of this tea may render the skin sensitive to exposure to light. It is this 'side effect' that shows that Yarrow tea has some mild psychotropic effect. A couple of cups of this tea and you may notice a shift in the colour and intensity of light around you. For artists or photographers this photosensitiser can sometimes provide a useful shift in perception. However, another name attributed to Yarrow is 'Devil's Plaything' - one suspects that this name was given to several herbs used by the witches or 'Wise Women' who were systematically exterminated in the middle-ages in Europe.

Yarrow leaves have also been used in tobacco or snuff mixtures and a decoction rubbed into the head is said to delay balding. To make Yarrow tea add two or three fresh or dried leaves per person to boiling water and leave to infuse for 5 minutes or so. Sweeten this with honey if you like. Some people like it with a slice of lemon to give this tisane a clean edge.

Thanks to C. Esplan, D. Hoffman, J. Lust, R. Phillips

From an ebook called 'Wild Food' underway at simonthescribe. If you wish to republish this article (only with this resource box intact) you will find excellent quality pictures to accompany it at http://www.simonthescribe.co.uk/yarrow.html

---

Three Steps to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids

Constipation, Hemorrhoids or Piles, and inactivity go hand in hand.... Read More

Smoking?Quit with Whispers and Acupuncture

Do you want to stop smoking badly enough to try?... Read More

The Future of Healing...

Your FUTURE is NOT in a doctor's office or a... Read More

Alternative Medicine is Holistic, Western Medicine is Reductionist

The major difference between alternative medicine, or what I'll call... Read More

Quit Smoking Through Hypnosis

You have seen and heard the warnings. You know what... Read More

Do-Sa-Do For Mindfulness

When I was 12, one of my best friends was... Read More

Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy is a massage session that takes place in... Read More

The Tribrain and Trauma Therapy

When someone experiences a trauma they go into immediate shock.... Read More

Myofascial Release

What is MYOFACSCIAL RELEASE? Myofascial release is a tender mixture... Read More

Not Sure About the Mind?Body Connection? You Already Use It To Produce Pain Relief

But Not Nearly Often EnoughIf you're skeptical about your ability... Read More

3 Quick Herbal Remedies

In recent years the issue of Alternative Healing has skyrocketed... Read More

Storing, Handling And Using Essential Oils

Pure Essential Oils are a natural product and contain no... Read More

Martial Arts

Martial arts are currently studied worldwide from a variety of... Read More

Fruits and Juices Important for Relieving Hemorrhoids Part I

Foods to AvoidChili Peppers It has been found that when... Read More

Discover 5 Scents That Will Turbo Charge Your Energy, Mood, Brain Power, and More

Control AppetiteIn studies of 105 subjects, it was found that... Read More

Therapeutic Massage Goes Main Stream

Have you ever bumped your knee or elbow? What was... Read More

How To Prevent The Flu

Can you prevent the flu? or is it just luck... Read More

Disabilities Stuttering

There are many types of disablity. Would people class stuttering... Read More

The Writer As Activist

Almost two years ago, before the release of my first... Read More

Dangers of Dehydration - And The Importance of Kidney Cleansing

The human body is composed of 75 percent water and... Read More

A 100% Drug Free Hemorrhoids Solution!

Did you know every year 25 Million people in the... Read More

Body Mass Index Is Not The Only Focus of Your Weight Loss Plan. Think About The Stress in Your Mind

The first of January will bring a new group of... Read More

Mental Anchors

Have you ever noticed when you remember something pleasant in... Read More

Three Immune System Building Natural Remedies

Here are three products that can help you elevate your... Read More

Quick Tip for Runners Who Have Knee Pain

Running with knees that hurt and are not getting better... Read More

Treat Cold Sores, Sore Throats, and Warts Naturally

Tired of costly medications, prescriptions and time lost for doctor's... Read More

Back Pain, Joint Pain, Knee Pain, Arthritis and a Host of Other Pain Ailments You Never Have To Suff

"The smallest pain in our little finger gives us more... Read More

Injured Athletes and Acupuncture

I have always been amazed at the clinical results that... Read More

Fun is a Powerful Alternative Medicine - Just Dont Confuse it with Funny

You're familiar with the phrase, "there's the rub," meaning "there... Read More

Can We Sleep For Three Hours and Still Function Normally?

Polyphasic sleep - also known as *Uberman's Sleep Schedule*, consists... Read More

Homeopathy: A Natural Health 101 Article

What It IsIn Homeopathy, extremely dilute preparations are given to... Read More

Just The Tea FAQs: Health Benefits (Part II)

A hot cup of tea might be just the thing... Read More

Visualization For Self Healing

Visualization and guided imagery are two of the most powerful... Read More