In the past, about ten years ago, I had gynecological problems: I haven’t had my period for a year, because the contraceptive pill turned over the hormone balance in my body. First I went to the gynecologist and she prescribed me some hormone pills. My period returned but I was a little worried, because this did not occur the natural way.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - May help with female hormonal imbalances
After about a year I got a book from one of my friends’ mother. It was Maria Treben’s Health from God’s Pharmacy. I found the description of my symptoms in the book pretty fast. According to the writing the best choice of treatment was Yarrow. This is a very useful medicinal plant for almost every problem with the female reproductive system.
I started drinking a cup of Yarrow tea every morning for six weeks. After the 6th week I was having my period again without the help of the hormone pills but with the help of this potent medicinal plant.
I have been drinking a cup of Yarrow tea on a regular basis ever since. Therefore, based on my personal experiences I think Yarrow should be one of the first herbal remedies chosen to treat imbalances in the hormonal cycle of the female reproductive system.
Traditional uses of Yarrow include digestive problems, liver and gall-bladder conditions, menstrual irregularities, cramps, fever, and wound healing. Externally it is used in the form of sitz bath or as a compress against skin inflammation, slow healing wounds, bacterial or fungal infections.
Abbe Kneipp says in his writings: “Women could be spared many troubles, if they just took Yarrow tea from time to time!” Be it a young girl with irregular menstruation or an older woman during menopause or already past it, for everyone young and old, it is of importance to drink a cup of Yarrow tea from time to time. It is beneficial for the reproductive organs of women and they cannot do a better thing for their health than, while walking through the fields, pick some Yarrow.
Yarrow is also an excellent first aid for wasp and bee stings. As soon as possible after being stung find some fresh Yarrow leaves and chew a small handful; place the chewed pulp directly on the sting, swallowing the bitter juice left in your mouth. The poultice removes the pain while the swallowed juice acts as anti-histamine. When the sting begins to hurt again, repeat the process. Most often swelling won’t accompany the sting if treatment is applied quickly.
Since Yarrow contains several anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving constituents, such as azulene and salicylic acid it is very effective in the treatment of wounds. Yarrow Antiseptic Salve makes an excellent dressing for all types of wounds.
Update 06/07/2011:
I found some great recipes today on a Facebook Notes page and I decided to share them to make it more acccessible for all of us.
Recipes
Yarrow Skin Toner
2 cups fresh Yarrow Flowers
2 cups water
1 cup alcohol-free Witch Hazel
2 tbsp. white wine vinegar
Put Yarrow and water in saucepan and bring to boiling. Cover with tight fitting lid and remove from heat. After liquid has cooled, strain through cheesecloth or coffee filter, squeezing as much liquid as possible from the Yarrow. Add remaining ingredients and store in the refrigerator in dark bottles. Shake well before using. Apply Toner with cotton balls.
Yarrow Antiseptic Salve
Macerate 2 cups fresh Yarrow leaves and flowers and 1 cup fresh Gumweed flowers. Add 3 cups of olive oil and continue to macerate until well mixed. Place mixture into a quart jar and allow mixture to stand, lightly covered, for two weeks. After two weeks, heat jar in a pan of simmering water, then pour mixture through a coffee filter. To the filtered oil add ½ to ¾ ounce (depending on desired consistency) beeswax, and heat oil until wax has melted. Pour into salve jars and allow mixture to cool before applying lids.
Yarrow Shampoo
2 cups fresh Yarrow leaves and flowers
2 cups distilled or rain water
3 tbsp. grated homemade soap
1½ tbsp. glycerin
In saucepan bring water to boiling. Add the Yarrow and allow the mixture to infuse for 20 minutes. Strain the liquid from the herb, squeezing out as much liquid as possible from the Yarrow. Return Yarrow infusion to pan and add the grated soap. Heat gently until soap begins to melt. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to stand until all the soap has dissolved. This could take an hour or longer. Stir in glycerin until mixture is well blended. Pour into a bottle. Keep in a cool place.
