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Another long one! 😉
As always Rabbit uses info is on the end

YARROW
aka arrowroot, bad man’s plaything, bloodwort, carpenter’s weed, death flower, devil’s nettle, eerie, field hops, gearwe, hundred leaved grass, knight’s milefoil, knyghten, milefolium, milfoil, millefoil, noble yarrow, nosebleed, old man’s mustard, old man’s pepper, sanguinary, seven year’s love, snake’s grass, soldier, soldier’s woundwort, stanchweed, thousand seal, woundwort, yarroway, yerw

General and Identification info

Achillea millefolium, commonly known as yarrow or common yarrow, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Asia, Europe, and North America. It has been introduced as a feed for livestock in places like New Zealand and Australia, where it is a common herb of both wet and dry areas, such as roadsides, meadows, fields and coastal places.

Identifying features:
clusters of tiny antique looking, usually white/off-white, flowers and feathery fern-like leaves. The lacy, finely-divided leaves are multi-pinnate, and grow alternately, clasping at the base along the simple, erect and angular stem. The feather-like leaves may reach 6 in (15.2 cm) in length. They mound near the ground in early growth; then the slightly hairy stems reach upwards to 3 ft (0.91 m) in height during flowering. The tiny blossoms may be rose or lilac colored, or a creamy white. There are several different species and many grow wild in North America.

Medicinal Overview

The herb is purported to be an extremely valuable medicinal herb. It is antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative (gas relief), anti inflammatory, an excellent diaphoretic, febrifuge (Fever reducer), haemostatic, diuretic, alterative, digestive, tonic, bitter tonic, hepatic, antimicrobial, analgesic (pain relief), expectorant, antiviral, stimulant, a vasodilator, and vulnerary wound healer.

It contains isovaleric acid, salicylic acid, asparagin, sterols, and flavonoids.

Following is some helpful breakdown of terms and uses of them directly related to YARROW:

* Alterative is an herb that gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality.
* Antiseptic are substances that stops or slows down the growth of microorganisms.
* Antispasmodic means to soothe muscle spasm. In this case the antispasmodic would be used for smooth muscle relaxation, especially in tubular organs of the gastrointestinal tract. The effect is to prevent spasms of the stomach, intestine or urinary bladder.
* Anti inflammatory means to help relieve swelling and inflammation
* Antimicrobial which kills microorganisms or stops their growth
* Antiviral which in aids in stopping viral infection in this case
* Diaphoretic means that it induces perspiration. This usual will help to break a fever in my experience. This has the value of helping to skin eliminate waste from the body. The skin is one of the major ways in which the body ensures a clean and harmonious inner environment. With diaphoretics we can help this vital function. Some of these remedies produce an actual and observable sweat, while others just aid the sub-sensible sweating that goes on all the time.
* Expectorant promotes the secretion of sputum by the air passages, used to treat coughs
* Astringent means drying. Astringents (sometimes called Styptics) are remedies that contain constituents that have a binding action on mucous membranes, skin, and other exposed tissues. Usually this effect is due to a group of complex chemicals called tannins. They have the effect of precipitating protein molecules (how animal skin is turned into leather). Astringents have a role in a wide range of problems in many parts of the body, but are of special importance in wound healing and conditions of the digestive system.

Therapeutic benefits include:
– A reduction of irritation on the surface of tissues due to a form of numbing
– A reduction in surface inflammation
– A barrier against infection is created which is of great help in wounds and burns
– Styptic means it will staunch bleeding from wounds externally applied via ex. a poultice
* Tonic means in this case a bitter digestive tonic and also a lung tonic
– a soothing tonic for the lungs when there is a cough. Not only will it help to break up mucous in the lung lining it assists in keeping the lungs clear.
– The bitter taste of yarrow indicates it is useful for digestive upsets of gas and bloating. Though the taste is bitter the tonic effect on the intestines and colon may also be helpful in reducing the cramping of colitis and diverticulitis. This very bitter astringent quality also indicates it may be useful in reducing hemorrhoids and quieting diarrhea.
* Stimulants raise the levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body
* Blood Purifier/Cleanser. Example: The plant is also a useful for the ladies. The blood cleansing quality indicates it may be useful for reducing “blood toxic” issues like fibroids and cysts. Though it is styptic topically and will staunch bleeding, internally it is used to stimulate the menstrual flow when it is delayed. By breaking up “stagnant blood” fibroids and cysts are broken up and pass out of the body. A buildup of the uterine lining can create these conditions and yarrow works as a tonic to prevent this from happening. Cysts and fibroids cause, not only pain but a “gushing” flow. Having a regular normal period monthly, where all blood is released, reduces this tendency.
* Aromatic: Essential oil rich yarrow will also help keep harmful pests away with its potent aromatic phytochemicals
* Vasodilator means it will dilate (open) blood vessels, which allows blood to flow more easily. They’re used to treat or prevent:
– High blood pressure (hypertension)
– Angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart)
* Haemostatic which causes haemostasis which is a process which causes bleeding to stop, meaning to keep blood within a damaged blood vessel. It is the first stage of wound healing. This involves coagulation, blood changing from a liquid to a gel.

Medicinal Uses

1. Toothache (chew the plant)
2. Head/sinus colds (add to hot water and inhale the steam)
3. Fever (tea from flower and root work best)
4. Burns (poultice)
5. Earaches (essential oil infusion)
6. Stimulant (root decoction)
7. Insomnia (tea works best)
8. Pain Relief (stalk of the plant)
9. Styptic (dried and powdered): applied topically will stop bleeding
10. Nosebleeds: insert entire leaf into the nostril after you crush it a bit with your fingers.
11. Antiseptic qualities make it an ideal wound cleanser both externally and internally.
12. yarrow can help to stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area, as well as the uterus, and encourage menstruation.
13. Mastitis treatment (poultice compress)
14. anti-anxiety effects of yarrow similar to diazepam (Valium), which is a common prescription for anxiety issues. The study also showed that it remained effective after short-term, repeated administration
15. Relieves gas and bloating by easing muscle spasms which are the cause for both.
16. Helpful for High Blood Pressure and Asthma. A 2013 study published in Phytotherapy Research evaluated its ability to lower high blood pressure, relax blood vessels and improve breathing. Yarrow’s effects on the study’s animal subjects backed up the medicinal use in hyperactive cardiovascular and airway disorders like high blood pressure and asthma.
17. Baldness: Infusions of yarrow have been used as a hair rinse in attempts to prevent baldness

There are so many wonderful uses of this must have weed and the above us just a platform to start on.

Herbal and traditional uses

The genus name Achillea is derived from mythical Greek character, Achilles, who reportedly carried it with his army to treat battle wounds. This medicinal use is also reflected in some of the common names mentioned, such as staunchweed and soldier’s woundwort.
The herb is considered a vulnerary and hemostatic with antiseptic and antibacterial properties. The astringent action of the leaf, when inserted into a nostril, may stop a nosebleed. An infusion of the leaf, stems, and flowers will speed the healing of rashes, hemorrhoids , and skin ulcers. Dried and powdered yarrow sprinkled on cuts and abrasions may also facilitate healing. Native Americans used yarrow in poultice form to treat skin problems.
In folk medicine, freshly gathered yarrow root mashed in whiskey was used as a primitive anesthetic.
Internal uses: Yarrow has also been used to stop internal bleeding, and as a bitter digestive tonic. Its emmenagogic action promotes the flow of bile. Yarrow tea taken warm acts as a diaphoretic, or medication given to induce sweating. It is particularly beneficial in the treatment of fever , colds, and influenza , as well as the early stages of measles and chickenpox . The essential oil, extracted by steam distillation of the flowers, is dark blue in color and has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, and antispasmodic properties. Fresh yarrow leaf chewed slowly is said to relieve toothache . The herb has also been used to induce nosebleed in an attempt to relieve migraine headache . Yarrow appears to be beneficial in reducing high blood pressure. Flavonoids in the herb act to dilate the peripheral arteries and help to clear blood clots .

Preparation info

Yarrow should be harvested while the herb is in flower, on a dry day after the morning dew has evaporated.

* The leaves, stems, and blossoms are all used medicinally. The leaves should be cut from the stems and spread out on a paper-lined tray to dry in a bright, airy room, out of direct sunlight.
* Blossoms may be left on the stems and hung in small bunches upside-down in a very warm room. Dried flowers should be stored separately, and dry stems cut into small segments before storage in an airtight, dark glass container, clearly labeled to indicate the contents and the date and place of harvest.
* Leaf infusion: Place 2 oz of fresh yarrow leaf, less if dried, in a warmed glass container. Bring 2.5 cups of fresh, nonchlorinated water to the boiling point and add it to the yarrow. Cover. Steep the tea for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain. Drink warm or cold throughout the day, up to three cups per day. The prepared tea can be stored for about two days in the refrigerator.
* Tincture: Combine 4 oz of fresh yarrow leaf and stalks cut fine (or 2 oz dry powdered herb) with 1 pint of brandy, gin, or vodka in a glass container. The alcohol should be enough to cover the plant parts and have a 50/50 ratio of alcohol to water. Cover and store the mixture away from the light for about two weeks, shaking several times each day. Strain and store in a tightly capped, clearly labeled dark glass bottle. A standard dose is 10 to 15 drops of the tincture in water, up to three times a day.

Yarrow Potential Side Effects, Interactions and Caution

When taken by mouth, yarrow can possibly cause drowsiness and increased urination. So stay hydrated.
If you’re allergic to plants in the Aster family, like ragweed and daisies, then you may likely be allergic to external and internal use of this herb, so be careful.
It can make skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Yarrow is not generally considered toxic, but be careful when using the oil because it contains thujone in small amounts. Thujone is toxic in large amounts and has a narcotic effect on the brain. This herb also contains coumarin, which has blood-thinning abilities. This is why it should not be combined with prescription blood thinners.
It should not be used by pregnant women. If you’re breast-feeding, speak with your doctor before using yarrow products.
It can possibly interact with the following medications as well:
* Blood thinners (like warfarin)
* Lithium
* Stomach acid-reducing medications (like omeprazole)
* High blood pressure medications
* Drugs that cause sleepiness (like anticonvulsants and sleeping pills)

Rabbit Uses

Besides all the traditional uses above this is one weed that is a go to for GI upset such as gas and bloating. The antispasmodic activity of yarrow makes it useful for unwanted gastrointestinal concerns like diarrhea, gas and cramping. Animal studies have shown that it can reduce smooth muscle spasms that contribute to GI complaints. Just give it to them fresh cut. Any above ground parts are recommended.
Yarrow is a valuable urinary antiseptic for rabbits as well. It can be used externally to help heal wounds. Yarrow is often planted in permanent pastures for its medicinal properties and is a good rabbit food when young and tender. Treatment of all fevers. A famed wound herb to stop excess bleeding. Yarrow has a good level of calcium and a good to high Ca:P ratio.

Basically all the medicinal uses of this plant we would use on ourselves can be applied to it our bunnies safely. And if you read thru my whole, long long winded post then you have seen all the many wonderful uses!

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