Yarrow has been known since ancient times, its Latin name Achillea is associated with Greek mythology. Grass with cirrus leaves and colored hats can be seen in all regions of Russia.
The healing properties of leaves and flowers have long been recognized as official medicine. The plant is used for food, this bitter spice gives the dishes a piquancy. Breeders have bred many decorative types of different colors, they are used in landscape design.
Yarrow Description
A plant from the family of asters (dicotyledonous Asteraceae) in Latin is called "Achillea millefólium". There are more than 20 species, many of them wild. The most common species is yarrow, on noble soil grows noble or "Cantonese, in the steppe regions it is bristly. Longitudinal leaves up to 15 cm long do not grow wider than 3 cm, are divided into paired segments, pubescent, exude essential oils. In spring, foliage grows in the form sockets, then a stem up to 40 cm long rises from it, branching in the upper part.
In June, the formation of buds begins. The flowers are small, milky white or pinkish in color with one row of petals and a tuberous friable center, collected in baskets. They form large dense caps of inflorescences. Yarrow is pollinated by insects. Seeds are small, ovoid, oblong, from 1.5 to 2 mm long, formed in September.
Propagation is vegetative, root, by seed. A culture grows on loams, clayey, scarce soils, and adapts to any conditions. The size of the inflorescences depends on the content of organic matter in the earth. Yarrow grows in any open spaces.
It can be seen:
- on the side of the road;
- dry meadows;
- hayfields;
- cultivated areas;
- forest edges;
- at water bodies;
- in city parks, lawns.
Under favorable conditions, the grass forms a dense carpet. Yarrow blooms profusely throughout the summer.
Cultivation of decorative varieties begins with sowing seeds for seedlings in the month of February. Landing is done after thawing the earth. Yarrow is grown in industrial volumes for pharmacology, cosmetology, the production of essential oils. This is an excellent honey plant; hives are installed near the plantations to obtain healing honey.
How to collect and store yarrow
The collection of the ground part of the plant is carried out during the flowering period. Useful properties of dry stems, leaves retain for two years. For harvesting, select areas away from the city, roads. The plant is able to accumulate heavy metals, harmful components of industrial emissions, exhaust gases.
Cut the stem with scissors or secateurs; many use a sharp knife. When harvesting raw materials in large volumes use sickle, lithuania. The grass in the meadows, flat areas are mowed, and then sorted out. The shoot is cut off at a height of 15 cm from the ground so that the hardened part of the trunk does not get into the plant material - it contains few essential oils, resins, and other valuable substances. For drying, cut flowers, leaves, the soft part of the stems.
The raw materials are bundled or placed on baking sheets or thick paper in crushed form. Yarrow is dried in a shade protected from rain and ventilated, where there is no direct sunlight. If necessary, shade the collected grass with old newspapers or a thin cloth.
When dried, the plant should retain its natural color. If the raw material turns yellow, it is better to throw it away. Store dried yarrow in moderate humidity:
- in cardboard boxes;
- paper bags;
- canvas pouches.
Flowers, stems and leaves have the same properties, they do not need to be separated. Harvest the juice of the plant. For its conservation use alcohol, honey.
The use of yarrow in medicine
The composition of the plant, in addition to essential odorous components, includes other useful substances:
- vitamins C, P, K1, carotene (provitamin A);
- trace elements;
- flavonoids;
- organic acids, including aconitic;
- bitterness (terpene hydrocarbons), they are poisonous in large numbers;
- tannins (tannins);
- polysaccharides;
- coumarin.
The anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties of yarrow have long been known. In modern medicine, it is used more widely:
- normalizes blood composition;
- possesses antispasmodic action, calms the nervous system;
- has a diuretic and choleretic effect, eliminates stagnation of bile in the ducts;
- lowers blood pressure;
- removes excess salts from cartilage - used externally in the treatment of joints;
- stimulates the production of immune globulins, is prescribed for colds and infectious diseases;
- inhibits the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, is part of the therapeutic complex for the treatment of vaginal infections;
- stabilizes the secretion of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, increases appetite, improves the absorption of food, eliminates flatulence;
- enhances perspiration;
- lowers body temperature in case of febrile conditions;
- relieves swelling of the mucosa, is used to gargle, rinse the nasal passages.
Yarrow in the composition of many pharmacy collections: gastric, choleretic, laxatives, hemorrhoidal. Tinctures are made from it, juice is part of ointments. Yarrow is appointed as an independent component for the preparation of decoctions, infusions. Outwardly it is used to treat skin diseases.
Yarrow has many names, one of them is "female grass". The plant was used in folk medicine for the treatment of gynecological diseases: profuse bleeding, prolonged menstruation. Decoctions were used for douching the vagina with thrush, inflammation of the mucosa, erosive formations. Nursing women were recommended to add decoctions in the drink, so that lactation intensified. Doses should be small so that bitterness does not appear in milk.
Men used yarrow to improve erection, stimulate testosterone production. Grass powder was taken with them for hunting, firewood was used to treat wounds. Yarrow has a hemostatic and disinfecting effect.
The use of yarrow in cooking
The herb has a specific aroma and is used as a spice in cooking. Only young outlets are used for food in raw form. As the main component they can not be used, in a large concentration the grass is poisonous. It is good in small volumes. The plant goes well:
- with some varieties of meat: lamb, beef, game;
- vegetables, leaves, fresh and dried, are added to salads, cold complex snacks, stews, soups;
- cheese, reveal and emphasize its taste.
Fresh leaves are used to decorate ready-made dishes. Dried grass and flowers are added to compotes, kvass, home-made vegetable preparations, broths. Yarrow found application in winemakers, confectioners - butter dough is made on the basis of a decoction.
Mr. Dachnik warns: unusual properties and contraindications yarrow
The plant is used in cosmetology. Based on essential oils and broths, lotions are made for dry aging skin. Oil improves microcirculation in tissues, restores water balance. Infusion well eliminates an allergic rash, irritation. With regular washing with a decoction, the face acquires a matte shine, a healthy shade, the skin becomes smooth, elastic.
The broth is used to treat bedsores, diaper rash. Lotions on healing tissue reduce the density of scar tissue, stimulate the regeneration of epidermal cells.
Like any pharmacological drug, yarrow has a number of contraindications, it is not recommended to use:
- for patients with increased blood coagulability - vitamin K1 thickens the blood, promotes the production of platelets;
- hypotensive, grass lowers blood pressure;
- people with cardiac pathologies;
- pregnant women, while carrying a child, blood thickens;
- children under seven years old, this is due to the immaturity of the liver and other internal organs of the child;
- people with increased production of gastric juice - the grass stimulates its production;
- for allergy sufferers, the plant contains camphor and other esters that can cause choking;
- patients with cholelithiasis.
Before using plant materials, you should consult a doctor.
