Yarrow Benefits

After posting about my DIY recipe for tired eyes in one of my “Mish Mash” posts, many of you have let me know that a plant which I included in my DIY recipe is something you would actually like to know more about. Writing a post about it became one of my top priorities and I am so glad that I did. I have learned so much through my research which I have conducted for the purposes of this post. This is one amazing plant. If you thought that chamomile is completely entitled to be dubbed the plant queen, I shall say only this: “chamomile, get out the way” (Ludacris style). Yarrow is a plant of many, many names. I was really overwhelmed by how many names it has that I will leave a list for you interested in glancing over them, down below. Generally known as yarrow or knight's milfoil, this is a legendary herb with legendary beginnings. In Homer's Iliad, legendary warrior Achilles uses yarrow to treat the wounds of his fallen comrades. That is how it got its official name, Achillea millefolium. The species name, millefolium, is Latin for “a thousand leaves,” referring to the herb's fine feathery foliage. Some people call it knight's milfoil, a reference to yarrow's ability to stop bleeding and promote healing of wounds.

Nakon sto sam postavila sliku svog kucnog recepta za kockice leda od caja sa ovom biljkom u jednom od svojih Buckuris postova, mnoge citateljke su mi se javile za zeljom da napisem nesto vise o ovoj travi. Sastavljanje clanka na tu temu mi je postao jedan od prioriteta i jako mi je drago sto sam mu se posvetila. Naucila sam mnogo toga kroz istrazivanje koje sam provela u svrhu ovog posta. Ovdje se radi o jednoj nevjerovatnoj biljci. Ako ste mislili da je kamilica zasluzno zasjela na tron kao kraljica biljaka, morati cu vam ipak reci kako je zbacena sa trona. Kunica je biljka koja ima mnoga, mnoga imena i nazive. Stvarno sam pod utiskom zbog kolicine naziva koji je krase i ako vas interesuju, ostaviti cu spisak pri dnu clanka. Uopsteno poznata kao kunica ili hajducka trava, ova legendarna biljka je imala legendarne pocetke. U Homerovoj Ilijadi, poznati ratnik Ahilej je koristio kunicu kako bi lijecio rane svojih ranjenih vojnika. Zbog Ahileja je biljka dobila svoj naucni naziv, Achillea millefolium. Vrsta, milefolium, je latinski naziv za “hiljadu listova”, sto se odnosi na paperjaste listice koji je krase. Neki je ljudi zovu i hajducka trava zbog sposobnosti ove biljke da zaustavi krvarenje te zato sto podstice zarastanje ostecene koze. Hajduci su je koristili u te svrhe te otuda i naziv.

Yarrow, a member of the aster family, is closely related to chrysanthemums and chamomile. It flourishes in a sunny and warm habitat, and is frequently found in meadows and along roadsides, as well as on dry, sunny slopes. Due to quick pace of its spreading roots and the fact that it multiplies by its seeds, it becomes a troublesome weed in the gardens. The plant generally spreads rapidly. Most yarrows grow 2 to 4 feet tall, although low-growing varieties are also available. The plants are remarkably durable, tolerating dry spells and low soil fertility where other perennials would fade. Yarrows bloom from midsummer into fall (June to September). Flower colors include red, pink, salmon, yellow, and white. The petals are densely arranged in flattened clusters, and the leaves look like feathers. Yarrow is a native plant to the Northern Hemisphere. It can be found everywhere in Europe (is very popular in European folk medicine) but it is slightly harder available to find in the Mediterranaean area. Yarrow has been credited by scientists with at least minor activity on nearly every organ in the body. Early Greeks used the herb to stop hemorrhages. Yarrow was mentioned in Gerard's herbal in 1597 and many herbals thereafter. Yarrow was commonly used by Native American tribes for bleeding, wounds, and infections. It is used in Ayurvedic traditions, and traditional Chinese medicine credits yarrow with the ability to affect the spleen, liver, kidney, and bladder meridians, or energy channels, in the body.

Kunica, clan porodice glavocika (Asteraceae), je u bliskoj vezi sa hrizantemama i kamilicom. Cvjeta u suncanim i toplim predjelima te je cesto mozete pronaci na livadama, uz puteve, kao i na osuncanim padinama. Korijenje joj se jako brzo prosiruje a isto se brzo siri putem sjemenja, stoga moze postati nezeljen i dosadan gost u bastama i vrtovima. Visina kunice vecinom iznosi od 2 do 4 stope, no i vrste nizeg rasta postoje. Izrazajno su otporne i sposobne su prezivjeti duge periode susa te nisku plodnost tla. Mogu opstati na predjelima gdje druge biljke ne mogu. Kunica cvjeta od sredine ljeta do u jesen (od juna do septembra). Cvijece kunice moze biti crvene, ruzicaste, boje lososa, zute i bijele boje. Latice su gusto rasporedjene u poravnate grupice dok lisce izgleda poput perja. Kunica je izvorno, biljka sjeverne hemisfere. Prisutna je u cijeloj Evropi (jako je popularan sastojak evropske narodne medicine). Nesto je teze dostupna u predjelu Mediterana. Kunici su naucnici pripisali utjecaj na skoro svaki organ tijela, varirajuci od intenziteta utjecaja. Stari Grci su je koristili kako bi zaustavili krvarenje. Kunica je prvi put spomenuta u Dzerardovom herbarniku iz 1597. godine te u mnogim herbarnicima nadalje. Kunicu su vrlo cesto koristila urodjenicka plemena Sjeverne Amerike kao prevenciju krvarenja, za tretiranje povreda i infekcije koze. Koristena je i u ayurvedskoj tradiciji dok joj kineska tradicionalna medicina pripisuje lijecenje slezene, jetre, bubrega te meridijana mjeruha (odnosno, kanala energije u tijelu).

General yarrow benefits:

it aids to get through the menopause more easily 

it is extremely helpful with all types of illlnesses or troublesome symptomes regarding the women's reproductive system (absence of menstruation, menstrual cramps, menstrual pain, unpleasant stabbing feeling in the lower back, uterine hemorrhage, blood in the urine etc.) – is often classified as a uterine tonic 

it helps ease headaches and migraines 

it acts as a blood cleanser and is even good to use after chemo 

it produces red blood cells and helps impressively with all types of bone marrow illnesses 

it is so miraculous that it even beats lung cancer 

helps heal calluses and blisters 

aids to build up a healthy appetite 

helps kidney function properly (helps prevent gallstone formation) 

it is applied to the skin for wounds and minor bleeding 

is helpful in some cases of allergy, in which watery eyes and nasal secretions are triggered by pollen, dust, molds 

is used to promote sweating in cases of colds, flu and fevers (helping to get over simple infections) 

is used to treat psoriasis and any types of rashes (and any skin problems really) 

stops nose bleed 

is used to treat gastrointestinal (GI) tract discomfort 

to relieve anxiety or insomnia, as a sedative 

Uopsteni nacini upotrebe kunice: 

olaksava simptome menopauze 

iznimno je ucinkovita po pitanju svih mogucih bolesti i tegoba vezanih za zenski reproduktivni sistem (izostanak mjesecnice, menstrualni grcevi i bol, neprijatan osjecaj u krstima, krvarenja rodnice, krv u urinu itd.) – kunicu cesto navode kao tonik za maternicu 

olaksava glavobolje i migrene 

ponasa se kao cistac krvi i preporucljivo je konzumirati nakon hemo terapije 

stvara crvena krvna zrnca te je izvrsna kao tretman bilo kog oboljenja ili stanja kostane srzi 

cudotvorna je do te mjere da lijeci rak pluca (potrebno je zvakati korijen idjirota 2x dnevno + konzumirati caj od kunice 2x dnevno) 

pomaze da zuljevi na nogama zarastu 

poboljsava apetit 

regulise rad bubrega (sprijecava nastajanje bubreznog kamenca) 

nanosi se na kozu kako bi zacijelila ostecenja i zaustavilo se manje krvarenje 

korisna je u odredjenim slucajevima alergije kada su suzenje ociju i sekreciju nosa izazvali polen, prasina i plijesan 

koristi se za poticanje znojenja u slucajevima prehlade, gripe i groznice (uopsteno pomaze da se prevazidju manje infekcije) 

koristi se u tretiranju psorijaze i bilo kog osipa (bilo koje iritacije koze) 

zaustavlja krvarenje iz nosa 

koristi se u lijecenju razlicitih problema vezanih za probavni trakt 

olaksava simptome nesanice, djeluje kao sedativ 

The plant has a long history as a powerful “healing herb” used topically to speed wound healing, and improve other skin conditions such as rashes and abrasions, calm inflamed skin. Yarrow is attributed with astringent, or cleansing, tonic, and stimulant effects, and is antimicrobial, providing protection against infection. Fatty acids found in yarrow boost the oxygen content in skin cells, aid cell membrane development, strength, and function. Amino acids provide the basic building blocks of proteins in the production of tissue thus skin has the ability to regenerate. Salicylic acid have analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. It is considered a highly beneficial constituent to treat acne prone skin. While sterols and tannins in yarrow have wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties. High amounts of flavonoids in yarrow are vital antioxidants that protect against cell-damaging free radicals. Yarrow extract balances skin functions making it a great natural ingredient to use in preparation formulated for acne, and oily skin. At the time it soothes itchy, dry skin, relieving minor skin irritations, healing damaged skin and stimulating regeneration of new skin cells. Yarrow's salicylic fatty acids are good for adding antibacterial properties to skin care blends (such as cremes and serums) making this a nice addition to blends made for those with acne prone skin. It also has antioxidant properties, that alone is key for good skin care. This herb is very good for oily or inflamed skin and the antibacterial properties helps keep infection at bay. In manufacturing, yarrow is also used as a cosmetic cleanser and in snuff. Yarrow oil has been traditionally used in hair shampoos. Leaves and flowers have a bitter, astringent taste when used in culinary applications. It is also recommended for eczema and allergic skin reactions. Sunburn can also be relieved with yarrow, especially when it is combined with German chamomile, peppermint and cypress. It is a slow healer, but its astringent, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties make it effective. Yarrow also stimulates hair growth. Since it would be too much, I have decided that my own DIY recipe for tired eyes, should be left for a separate post. I do hope you find all these info useful. Let me know how you use yarrow. There are literally dozens of recipes with yarrow. You can use it as a tea internally and externally, use its oil, make a cream or ointment, a shampoo even. Since I have only tried it in the form of tea, I shall make more research and maybe even try to follow some of those recipes. More about that in one of my next posts.

Ova biljka se jako dugo vremena spominje kao biljka iznimno snaznih zacjeljiteljskih svojstava. Koristi se za lijecenje osipa, abrazija te da umiri iziritiranu kozu nanoseci se direktno na nju. Kunici se pripisuju astringentna, tonizirajuca i stimuliracuja svojstva. Djeluje antimikrobno te pruza zastitu od infekcija. Masne kiseline koje sadrzi poticu kisik u celijama koze, pomazu u razvoju celiskih membrana, njihovom jacanju i funkciji. Aminokiseline omogucavaju osnovne celijske blokove proteina tokom procesa proizvodnje tkiva, stoga posjeduju regenerativnu moc. Salicilna kiselina u kunici ima analgetska, antibakterijska, protugljivicna i protuvirusna svojstva. Poznato je da je jako uspjesna u tretiranju masne koze, koze pod upalom i koze sklone aknama. Steroli i tanini unutar kunice imaju pak zacjeljujuca i protuupalna svojstva. Visoke kolicine flavonoida u kunici su bitni antioksidansi koji stite kozu od stetnih slobodnih radikala. Istovremeno, kunica umiruje i suhu kozu sklonu svrbezu, umiruje iritacije. Zacjeljuje ostecenu kozu i promovise obnavljanje koze. Salicilna i aminokiseline koje sadrzi kunica su izvrstan nacin da se kremama i serumima podare antibakterijska svojstva, sto takve proizvode za njegu i tretiranje koze cine pogodnim za masnu i aknama sklonu kozu. Kunica ima i antioksidantna svojstva sto samo predstavlja odlican razlog za upotrebu iste u njezi koze. U kozmetickoj industriji se koristi u cistacima koze ali i kao burmut (fini aromatski prah). Ulje kunice je sastojak sampona za pranje kose. Lisce i cvijetovi ove biljke su gorkog ukusa ako se koriste u kulinarstvu. Preporucuje se i njena upotreba za lijecenje ekcema i alergijskih reakcija. Cak se i opekotine od sunca njom mogu lijeciti ali u kombinaciji sa njemackom kamilicom, mentom i cempresom. Relativno sporo djeluje na zarastanje koze no izuzetno je efektno. Kunica pospjesuje brz rast kose. Posto mislim da bi bilo previse informacija, odlucila sam ostaviti svoj kucni recept za umorne oci sa kunicom za jedan zaseban post. Javite mi kako je vi koristite. U jednom sam komentaru primjetila da je i vi koristite kako bi olaksali menstrualne tegobe. Pronasla sam bukvalno desetine recepata sa kunicom. Mozete je konzumirati oralno, koristiti na kozi, koristiti njeno ulje, napraviti kremu ili mast, pa cak i sampon. Posto sam je iskljucivo koristila u formi caja, doduse na vise nacina, morati cu se dodatno informisati. Mozda cak i sama rekreiram jedan od recepata koji su mi se posebno dopali. Svakako vise o tome u jednom od narednih postova na blogu. 

As for principal constituents of yarrow – it contains up to 51% of the sesquiterpene azulene, causing its blue colouring and strong anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains another sesquiterpene, caryophyllene. These relate to the oil's cholagogue and hypotensive properties. The monoterpenes a-pinene, b-pinene, limonene and sabinene are also present in yarrow, reflected in its stimluant and tonic actions. Borneol, an alcohol, relates to its ability as an antiseptic, while cineol imparts its expectorant properties. Cautions: Yarrow seems to be safe for most adults (check with a doctor prior to using on children). In some people, yarrow might cause drowsiness and increase urination when taken by mouth. When it comes in contact with the skin, yarrow might cause skin irritation for sensitive skin. Yarrow may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Excessive use may lead to headaches. Don’t take yarrow by mouth if you are pregnant. It is believed to affect the menstrual cycle and might cause a miscarriage. It’s also best to avoid yarrow if you are breast-feeding. Not enough is known about its safety during nursing. Yarrow may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/ Compositae family. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking yarrow. It is curious that people who are allergic to ambrosia are also allergic to yarrow ( lymph nodes might swell to the size of large grapes). Yarrow might slow blood clotting so there is a concern that it might increase bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking yarrow at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery. Always inform yourself before using any herbs. It is not recommended to consume coffee or wine while using yarrow in any way. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), etc.

Sto se tice osnovnih znacajki sastava kunice – nadzemni dio biljke u cvjetanju sadrži do 1 % etericnog ulja, flavonoide, vitamin K, gorku materiju ahilein, ahiletin, smole, stereole, tanine, mentol, salicilnu kiselinu i dr. Etericno ulje hajducke trave se dobija destilacijom pomocu vodene pare, a sadrži pinen, cineol, tujon, kamfor, limonen, borneol. Posto kunica sadrzi do 51% azulena, on joj podaruje plavu boju i protuupalna svojstva. Pinen, limonen i sabinen su izvor stimulativnih i tonizirajucih svojstava kunice. Borneol (alkohol) je u vezi sa antisepticnim djelovanjem dok je cineol odgovoran za poticanje sekrecije. Oprez i upozorenja: Cini se da je kunica sigurna za koristenje za odrasle osobe (prije nego se odlucite na koristenje na djeci, provjerite sa doktorom da li je to sigurno). Kod nekih ljudi kunica moze izazvati pospanost te povecanu urinaciju ako se uzima oralno. Ako dolazi tokom koristenja u kontakt sa kozom, postoji mogucnost da osjetljivu kozu iritira. Koza moze postati osjetljivija na suncevu svjetlost zbog kunice. Pretjerana upotreba moze dovesti do glavobolje. Nemojte uopste pomisljati da koristite kunicu (stolisnik, hajducku travu) ako ste trudni. Sigurno je da utice na menstrualni ciklus te moze izazvati pobacaj. Molim vas, budite oprezne. Najbolje je izbjegavati i ako dojite. Naprosto nam nije dovoljno informacija poznato vezano za korelaciju kunice i dojenja pa je najbolje iz predostroznosti izbjegavati tokom tog perioda. Kunica moze izazvati alergijsku reakciju kod osoba koje su osjetljive na pripadnice porodice glavocika (Asteraceae). U slucaju da jeste alergicni, molim vas da provjerite sa svojim doktorom da li smijete koristiti kunicu. Nije pametno nista raditi na svoju ruku. Ono sto je interesantno jeste da, tko god ima alergije zbog ambrozije – alergican je i na kunicu (limfni cvorovi oteknu do velicine krupnog grozdja, nije bas bezazleno). Kunica moze usporiti grusanje krvi tako da postoji bojazan od povecanog krvarenja tokom operacije. Nemojte koristiti kunicu 2 sedmice prije zakazane operacije. Uvijek se maksimalno informisite prije nego pocnete primjenjivati bilo koju biljku/ travu. Nije preporucljivo piti kafu niti vino dok koristite kunicu. Obavezno se konzultirajte sa strucnjakom prije nego pocnete koristiti kunicu ako koristite litij. Neki od lijekova koji usporavaju zgrusavanje krvi su aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, itd.), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, itd.), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, itd.), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), itd.