A familiar plant that grows in fields and along the side of country lanes, Yarrow has greyish, feathery, ethereal-looking leaves and small daisy-like flowers. Yarrow has been used since antiquity for headaches, fevers and influenza. It also cures diarrhea, palpitation and excessive menstruation. Yarrow Tea is a good remedy for severe colds, being most useful in the commencement of fevers, and in cases of obstructed perspiration. The infusion is made with 1 OZ. of dried herb to 1 pint of boiling water, drunk warm, in wineglassful doses. It may be sweetened with sugar, honey or treacle, adding a little Cayenne Pepper, and to each dose a teaspoonful of Composition Essence. It opens the pores freely and purifies the blood, and is recommended in the early stages of children’s colds, and in measles and other eruptive diseases. A decoction of the whole plant is employed for bleeding piles, and is good for kidney disorders. It has the reputation also of being a preventative of baldness, if the head be washed with it.
Cautions and Side Effects
Really, handling flowers can cause a skin rash. Do not use during pregnancy. In large doses may cause headache and dizziness. Can sensitize skin to sunlight – don’t sunbathe.