Native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, the yarrow plant is a hardy herbaceous perennial that’s a member of the Asteraceae plant family. Also known as old man’s pepper, common yarrow, nosebleed plant, or soldier’s woundwort, the erect, flowering plant is considered by many to be an invasive weed.
Many homesteaders, though, appreciate the flower for its medicinal properties and flowering display.
在亚利桑那州、新墨西哥州、科罗拉多州和加利福尼亚州,这种药草因其细长、精致、蕨类的叶子而被称为plumajillo(小羽毛)。蓍草是一种有吸引力的开花植物,有宽阔平坦的奶白色的头状花序和丰富的深绿色的叶子,在世界上许多地方都很茂盛。
Growing The Yarrow Plant
蓍草抗病抗旱、易繁殖、易生长,是城乡园林绿化的理想选择。从晚春到深秋,蓍草绽放,为每一处风景增添了视觉趣味和色彩。
Requiring just an inch of water per week, the yarrow plant will grow most anywhere in well-drained soil. Avoid planting in areas where water tends to pool. Yarrow cannot tolerate “wet feet.”
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While yarrow prefers a full-sun location, the plant is tolerant of less than ideal conditions and will do well in a shaded spot. It is virtually care-free.
Planting Yarrow Seeds and Starts
Yarrow plant seeds and starts are available for purchase online or from local home and garden centers. To plant yarrow in your garden, loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 18 inches after removing roots, rocks, and weeds. Add a couple of inches of well-aged herbivore manure (cow, horse, goat, llama, sheep) to the soil and mix in well.
When planting along a fence line or walkway, plant yarrow about 18 inches apart. The hardy plant has no trouble getting established and will spread easily. Although yarrow tends to spread, it is not aggressive. Divide yarrow every three years or as needed to maintain plant vitality.
Yarrow Varieties
A favorite variety of the yarrow plant includes cerise queen. This variety has deep pink flowers and dense, dark green foliage. It’s a traditional gardening favorite.
普通的林地蓍草是乳白色的,杂交品种有广泛的颜色,包括粉红色、紫色、红色和黄色。也就是说,乳白色的本土花朵是自然疗法健康从业者的首选。
Maintaining Yarrow Plants
Prune yarrow regularly for the first few seasons. Deadheading promotes flowering and will keep the plant in near-continual bloom. Cut back in late spring before the plant begins to flower. Pruning in the spring will keep the plants dense and shapely and will reduce the height of the plant to avoid a “leggy” look.
Foraging for Wild Yarrow
Yarrow, mountain mint, dandelion, willow,plantain,chickweed, calendula, and chamomile all offer stellar medicinal benefits. These common woodland plants are but a few of the wealth of medicinal plants found in Mother Nature’s medicine chest.
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However, yarrow stands head and shoulders above the rest.Medical research studies conducted on yarrowconfirm the plant’s impressive antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
在美国,野蓍草在山区最为丰富。整个蓍草被证明是有用的。在夏末植物盛开的时候采集茎、叶和花。
When wild harvested, plants such as yarrow are used as the primary herb or infused together with garden herbs and essential oils in a creamy herbal ointment. This ointment helps bring healing relief to dry, rough skin and chapped lips, muscle pains, cuts, insect bites, and allergy irritations. Talk to your local county extension agent for assistance in identifying wild medicinal plants native to your local area.
Yarrow as a Wild Edible
蓍草是大自然最受欢迎的野味之一。嫩嫩叶可作为叶类蔬菜:生的,剁碎在沙拉中,像菠菜一样蒸熟,或加入炖菜和汤中。
在中世纪,蓍草的叶子带着咸甜微苦的味道,被用作啤酒的调味剂,直到大多数酿酒师转向啤酒花。在瑞典,蓍草(被称为野啤酒花)仍然是制造啤酒的一种受欢迎的原料。yarlow -enhanced啤酒的粉丝评论说,他们发现这种啤酒比用啤酒花酿造的啤酒更令人陶醉。
Yarrow tea is made with 1 ounce of dried herb to 1 pint of boiling water and consumed warm. The tasty tea may be sweetened with honey or sugar. Yarrow tea opens pores, detoxifies the system, and purifies the blood.
Medicinal Benefits of The Yarrow Plant
In traditional folk medicine, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is prized for its astringent properties that staunch the flow of blood from wounds. The use of yarrow as a blood loss remedy seems to have originated centuries ago from European folk medicine which later spread to the east.
The botanical nameAchilleais credited to the noble warrior Achilles, who is said to have applied yarrow to the hemorrhaging wounds of his soldiers. For centuries, warriors worldwide have carried yarrow into battle. The yarrow plant was treasured for its healing power and confident spirit, providing protection, strength, and courage to those who wore it.
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The prolific flowering tops are the most medically active part of the plant. A chemical analysis of yarrow indicates the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkamides, inulin, and ascorbic acid. The essential oil distilled from the yarrow plant possesses antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
Yarrow for Sore Muscles and Joints
Herbalists prepare an effective massage oil from the following ingredients:
- 15 drops yarrow essential oil
- 15 drops St. John’s wort essential oil
- 10 drops hyssop essential oil
- 10 drops clary sage essential oil
- 10 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
- 20 to 30 drops of almond oil
The combination proves beneficial for inflamed joints and injured muscles. Infusions of yarrow leaf taken either internally as a tea or applied externally as a poultice, accelerate recovery from severe bruising. A compress steeped in an infusion of yarrow helps relieve swollen legs and soothe varicose veins.
Yarrow for Respiratory Issues
If you suffer from asthma, allergies, or other respiratory woes, try covering your head with a towel and breathe in the healing steam from yarrow leaves steeped in boiling water. A warm compress of steamed yarrow leaves applied to the chest, proves useful in the treatment of colds and pneumonia.
Blue Yarrow Essential Oil
蓍草精油通过蒸汽蒸馏获得,含有植物的“精华”,并吸收了植物的所有有益特性。蓍草精油,丰富的抗炎性质,缓解充血时吸入蒸汽扩散器。
Aromatherapists combine yarrow essential oil with cedarwood, clary sage, oakmoss, and ylang-ylang essential oils to create a synergistic oil blend that when diffused, brings a delightful fragrance and a calm, peaceful, healing energy to any environment.
Native Americans blended the pungent oil with bear grease to craft a healing balm for sprains, bruises, and arthritic conditions. The blue essential oil also repels mosquitoes, ticks, and flies. Chewing tender, young yarrow leaves relieves toothache pain.
Concerns and Cautions
- 敏感皮肤的人可能在罕见的情况下,经历皮肤刺激或皮疹时处理蓍草。
- Avoid ingesting yarrow when pregnant.
- Common yarrow is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Consumption may cause hypersalivation, vomiting, and diarrhea.
References:
- Evaluating the Efficacy ofAchillea millefoliumandThymus vulgarisExtracts Against Newcastle Disease Virus in Ovo美国国家医学图书馆
- Native Plants, Lady Bird Johnson Garden Center
Jane Andersonsays
Hi Marlene! Nice blog. I like flowers in my garden. Yarrow is one of them. Thanks for sharing useful tips. I learned something new from your post like Medicinal Benefits of Yarrow. Keep Posting!