Name: Tree zvichayny – common yarrow
Achillea millefolium (Achillea millefolium);
yarrow
This plant has been known to people since ancient times, its Latin generic name is even associated with the name of the ancient Greek hero Achilles, who supposedly treated the wounds of his soldiers with yarrow.
For some reason, the plant always attracts the attention of children: they want to pluck the “flower”, but they can’t – the stem is too strong. After these attempts, the children’s hands smell – the crushed leaves have a rather pleasant aroma.
Gervais is a herbaceous perennial with a creeping, wire-like rhizome. The stem of the plant is usually 40-60 cm tall, rarely up to 100 cm, pubescent, woody at the base. The leaves are twice pinnately dissected. The flowers are white, sometimes pink, fragrant, collected in small baskets that form shield-like inflorescences, blooming from June to September. It grows throughout the territory of Russia, except for the Far North, northeastern and desert regions, usually in meadows, as well as on the edges of fields and roadsides, often found in homesteads. In Ukraine, yarrow grows in the same places throughout the country.
In scientific medicine, grass and plant flowers are used, which are harvested from the beginning to the middle of flowering. The tops of the stems with flowers no longer than 15 cm are cut off, and only the leaves are cut off from the rough part of the stem. If the flowers are harvested separately, then only shield-shaped inflorescences with a short peduncle (up to 4 cm) are cut. Raw materials are dried under shelter in the open air, spreading them in a thin layer and turning them over from time to time. The shelf life is 5 years.
The yarrow herb is available in pharmacies, it contains biologically active substances, including vitamins.
Infusions of the plant have a tonic, antispasmodic, hemostatic and pain-relieving effect. They help with gastrointestinal diseases, especially peptic ulcers, improve metabolism. The active substances of the plant increase blood clotting. The yarrow herb is also included in many medicinal preparations, teas that improve the functioning of the stomach and stimulate the appetite.
In traditional medicine, the plant is often used for bleeding, rheumatism, exhaustion and tuberculosis of the lungs, as well as externally for wound healing. When using an infusion of yarrow grass, the secretion of milk in nursing mothers increases.
In therapeutic and preventive nutrition, the leaves of the plant are added in a small amount to salads. However, it should be remembered that it is not necessary to overindulge in eating yarrow, as it can cause loss of consciousness and the appearance of skin rashes.
Plant preparations are contraindicated during pregnancy.
The yarrow herb is also used as a food coloring in confectionery.
Herbal infusion. 2 tablespoons of raw material per 200 ml of boiling water, infuse for 15-20 minutes, filter. Take 1/2-1/3 cup warm 2-3 times a day for gastritis, peptic ulcer and as a hemostatic agent.
Herbal tincture. 4 tablespoons of raw material per 100 ml of 40% alcohol (vodka), insist for a week. Take 20 drops 3 times a day before meals for angina, intestinal colic and dysmenorrhea.
Herbal infusion (external). 2 tablespoons of raw materials per 200 ml of boiling water, infuse for 1 hour, filter. For washing, lotions and compresses.