Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.), an aromatic herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family, commonly grows in sunny places in the northern hemisphere: in meadows, along roads … It owes its name to Achilles, Greek hero of the Trojan War, who according to legend would have used it to heal his wounds and those of his soldiers.
Rich in active ingredients
During World War I, it was one of the remedies in the infantry first aid kit, hence its popular names “soldier’s weed” and “military weed”. Because yarrow has the property of stopping bleeding, treating wounds and preventing infections; it also allows a good wound healing. “Millefeuille” refers to its leaves which are doubly pinnate (cut out): it looks like it has a thousand!
Its composition is very diverse. We extract an essential oil rich in sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes (aromatic molecules), but also in ketones such as camphor and thujone. It contains alkaloids, powerful active ingredients, coumarins (aromatic compounds) and flavonoids which give it properties antispasmodics, emmenagogues (facilitating the flow of rules), digestive and tonic. Yarrow is considered one of the great plants of women, despite its ancestral uses which are very “warlike”!
Precautions for use
Not recommended in case of pregnancy and under 10 years old.
Yarrow can cause contact dermatitis (local inflammation) in people who are allergic to Asteraceae.
Before using an essential oil, put a drop in the crook of the elbow. If no redness appears after 30 to 45 minutes, it is appropriate.
Avoid any contact between an essential oil and the eyes.
For all preparations, follow the protocols described.
Your remedies
Relieve painful periods
Its antispasmodic properties help calm the menstrual disturbances.
Recipe
Mix 40 g of flowering tops of yarrow, 30 g of lemon balm leaves and 20 g of Roman chamomile flowers. Pour 3 tablespoons of the mixture into 1 liter of simmering water. Cover, let infuse 10 min, then filter.
How to use it?
Drink 2 to 3 cups during the 3 days before your period and during the first 2 days. In addition: pour into the palm of your hand 3 ml of inophylic calophyll oil and 1 drop of EO (essential oil) of exotic basil. Massage the lower abdomen with this mixture, for 2 to 3 minutes, in circles.
Soothing irritable bowel syndrome
A blend of softening plants to relieve chronic digestive disorders.
Recipe
Mix 40 g of flowering tops of yarrow, 40 g of nettle leaves, 40 g of matricaria flowers and 40 g of mallow flowers. Pour 3 tablespoons of this mixture in 1 liter of simmering water. Cover and infuse for about 10 minutes, then strain.
How to use it?
Drink 2 to 3 cups of infusion for 21 days. Stop for a week and renew if necessary.
Speed up healing of cystitis
Detox, yarrow stimulates elimination in the liver and kidneys. A very interesting property in case ofurinary tract infection.
Recipe
Mix 30 g of flowering tops of yarrow, 40 g of flowering tops of heather and 20 g of bearberry leaves. Pour 3 tablespoons of this mixture in 1 liter of simmering water. Cover and let infuse for about 10 minutes, then strain.
How to use it?
Drink 1 liter per day for 6 to 7 days.
Facilitate digestion
Its cholagogue properties (facilitating the evacuation of bile), antispasmodics and digestives relieve sluggish intestines.
Recipe
Mix 30 g of flowering tops of yarrow, 40 g of peppermint leaves and 20 g of crushed cardamom seeds. Pour 3 tablespoons of this mixture in 1 liter of simmering water. Cover, let infuse for about 10 minutes, then strain.
How to use it?
Drink a cup of infusion after each meal for ten days. Stop for a week and renew if necessary.
Fight the hangover
This anti- duoheadache helps to recover from the aftermath of difficult holidays.
Recipe
Put 30 g of flowering tops of yarrow and 20 g of partner (or large chamomile) in 1 liter of simmering water.
Cover and let infuse 10 min, then filter.
How to use it?
Drink 3 cups of infusion before and after a festive evening: a hearty and well-watered meal …
Stop bleeding
A hemostatic and healing aromatic mixture to treat wounds superficial.
Recipe
Pour into the palm of your hand 3 ml of oily macerate calendula. Add 1 drop
EO of yarrow and 1 drop of EO of cistus ladanifère. To mix together.
How to use it?
Apply the preparation to the wound, 1 to 3 times, per day, for 3 days. Do not use on open and deep wounds.
Crumpled flowers and leaves applied to a superficial wound or in the nostrils stop bleeding. Do not inhale!
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Naturopathy: the prescription for a winter without pumping
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