Yarrow – Top Medicinal Uses
Yarrow is also known as woundwort, nosebleed, staunchweed, and bloodwort; it was traditionally packed into open wounds to staunch bleeding. As a salve or lotion, it can be used to stop bleeding cuts and wounds and to improve the healing of bruises, rashes, and hemorrhoids.
Versatile yarrow has many other medicinal properties, too. Drunk as a hot tea, it brings down temperature and encourages sweating, so it is helpful for colds, flu, congestion, rheumatism, and fever. The essential oil can be made into a chest rub for bronchial complaints and coughs. The tea has a bitter astringency (add sugar to taste), which helps soothe digestion and stop diarrhea. Yarrow can also lower blood pressure slightly and, as it contains the painkiller salicylic acid, is useful for headaches, menstrual cramps, and arthritis pain.
Caution: Do not use during pregnancy
To staunch nosebleeds, bruise and roll a few yarrow leaves into a ball and place inside the affected nostrils. Gently remove once bleeding has stopped.
Grows/Where to Find
- perennial
- grows wild in meadows
- easy to grow
- prefers sun
- flowers June-September
- harvest flowers and leaves while in bloom for drying
- buy essential oil or capsules from natural food stores
