Yarrow

[MightyMom]

A friend of mine just happened to have tons of yarrow growing in her flower garden and when I asked for some starts this spring she was more than happy to give me some. At first they seemed to be dieing but now they look amazing and I have already started drying some of the flowers! I am not sure what all yarrow is used for but I am excited to start trying out my own herbs! I also have marigolds growing and I am trying to grow mallow and plantain in pots but mites are attacking them so we will see if they live 🙁 I am so excited for these forms!!

Crystal

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Yarrow is a wonderful plant. The flowers are a great anti-hemorrhagic for stopping bleeding topically or internally. I use it in my vet practice all the time internally on dogs hit by cars. I also use it when I’m doing oral surgery and hit an artery buried in the bone. Those rascals bleed like crazy and can’t be clamped or tied off…bad news. I just pack some powdered yarrow and/or shepherd’s purse onto it and the bleeding stops quickly. The greeks used to carry it into battle to pack into their wounds.

Yarrow is also a good diaphoretic for inducing a good sweat to ward off colds and flus. Make a tea with some yarrow, mint and lemon balm and wrap up in a blanket for awhile then have a bath.

It’s also very good for menstrual cramps.

I’ve heard the root is good topically for toothache but haven’t had occasion to try it for that.

Patrick

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Mallow and plantain will grow well in your lawn too if you quit spraying it. 😉

BTW, you know that regular marigolds aren’t the same as pot marigolds right? Calendula (pot marigold) is the medicinal one and is a different genus.

Pot marigold Calendula oficinale

Regular marigold Tagetes spp.

The regular marigolds are good for keeping bugs away from your garden but don’t plant them near beans or other legumes because the marigold’s roots secrete an antibiotic that interferes with the nitrogen-fixing bacteria that the beans need.

I’m not aware of any medicinal use for regular marigolds…cute though.

Patrick

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[MightyMom]

Thanks for letting me know about the marigolds, I had tried to figure it out before but couldn’t find the answer, I will have to get some of the other kind too. I did know they help keep bugs away so I will keep them for that plus they add some color 🙂

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Send me your address. I have lots of Calendula seed.

Patrick

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[MightyMom]

I tried to figure out how to message you my address, do you want me to try to just email it to you? I am pretty sure I have your email still.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Got the PM. The seeds leave tomorrow.

Anybody else that wants some can PM me too.

Patrick

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[Beverly]

Doc I would like some seeds. I tried to pm you but it says I’m not authorized to send private messages. How do I send you my address?

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

send me an email at doc(at)homegrownherbalist.net

Patrick

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[IdahoHerbalist]

Michael Moore, in his book Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West isbn 9780890134542 says the following:

COLLECTING: The whole flowering stalk, rootlet and all. The traditional method is to gather only flowers, but the upper stem and leaves actually retain their strength longer and should be kept with the flowers.

PREPARATION: Whole flowering plant – tincture (fresh 1:2, dry 1:5, 50% alcohol), 10 – 40 drops; standard infusion , 2 – 4 ounces, fresh root tincture, topical to gums as needed

The root is remarkably effective for sore gums or teeth; either chew the fresh root or use the tincture topically

[MightyMom]

when you say its good for gums what is it good for? I have a 1 1/2 year old having horid teething would this help at all or is it good for gums another way.

Crystal

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

The yarrow root’s effect on the sore tooth/gums would be anti-inflammatory. I haven’t used it that way so can’t speak from personal experience. I have used clove tincture with excellent results on really severe dental pain. The clove’s effect is anesthetic and it only last about 1/2 to 1 hour.

Another trick is to make popsicles out of herbal teas. Chamomille or catnip are good ones. The coldness numbs and soothes and the herb relaxes the baby. Don’t use the grocery store chamomille. There’s not enough herb there to do much good.

Catnip tea is fabulous for colicky babies too.

Patrick

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[MightyMom]

I have some chamomile I could use to make a tea, could you put the yarrow root in that too? For a clove tincture could you get dry whole cloves at the store or is it better to get there somewhere else?

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

MightyMom wrote: I have some chamomile I could use to make a tea, could you put the yarrow root in that too? For a clove tincture could you get dry whole cloves at the store or is it better to get there somewhere else?

You could add the yarrow root. Let me know how it tastes. I haven’t tried it. The chamomille is usually quite nice though the best stuff tends to be on the bitter side.

Store cloves are fine. The fresher the better. You might try making an oil rather than a tincture. iI will be less offensive to an infant. Put some olive, almond or sesame oil and cloves in a blender and blend until the blender sides start to get warm. Then strain it and try it.

Patrick

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[MightyMom]

Sounds great, I tried the yarrow root the other day tired to give it to my little one but he refused so I tried it just to see if it tasted gross and well…it didnt taste like anything which I guess it good because it wasn’t gross just nothing so I would think the Chamomile would really be all that would be tasted. I will give it a try though.

[IdahoHerbalist]

As part of Doc’s Herbal Class this weekend we had some of the people over to my home for an herb walk. One of the women said that when she chews on Yarrow Root it makes her mouth go numb so it does have anesthetic properties. This would be GREAT for teething babies. Maybe make a glycerin and honey tincture with it.

[MightyMom]

Thanks so much! I will try making a honey tincture of it, anyone know what ratio? Or just more honey then herbs? My inlaws are there for the class, I can’t wait for them to get back and tell me about it!! Sounds like it should be lots of fun!

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

MightyMom wrote: Thanks so much! I will try making a honey tincture of it, anyone know what ratio? Or just more honey then herbs? My inlaws are there for the class, I can’t wait for them to get back and tell me about it!! Sounds like it should be lots of fun!

It’s really important to not give honey to infants. Karo syrup would be much safer.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[cmsnackdaddy]

Based on my study it sounds like there are Yarrow look a likes out there, so I am being cautious as the wrong plan is poisonous. Is the best way to determine a match to quality it based on its leaf and the affect the root has when chewing on the root? Are there any other plants similar to Yarrow with the white flower and leaves that are smaller leaflets that when you chew on the root causes a numbing sensation? I have found a patch of what I believe to be Yarrow growing on the hills by Cabelas in Lehi, Utah that I have wildcrafted. I have dried and am in the process of making a tincture.

Thanks in advance.

[IdahoHerbalist]

It is REALLY important that you do NOT put plants into your mouth that you cannot positively identify (RIGHT PATRICK!!! :face palm 2: ). The best way to get a plant identified is to have someone that you know that is good at doing that. Maybe a master gardener in your area could help with this one.

[cmsnackdaddy]

Let me qualify what I said by saying I’m 99% sure it’s Yarrow.

[cmsnackdaddy]

While I am new to herbal teas, am I the only one that thinks yarrow tea is one of the worst tasting herbs teas? I can see 3 drops of tincture more manageable. I had to double the honey and power drink it…

[IdahoHerbalist]

Ever tried chaparral? I tend to like it. Others though……. :crazy:

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

cmsnackdaddy wrote: While I am new to herbal teas, am I the only one that thinks yarrow tea is one of the worst tasting herbs teas? I can see 3 drops of tincture more manageable. I had to double the honey and power drink it…

I like yarrow. Motherwort is quite nasty if you want a comparison.

Chapparral should only be read about in herb books and never actually used as using it would require one to be in the same room with the stuff! :barf:

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

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