Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Healing with Yarrow
If Achilles had had some yarrow on hand when his vulnerable heel was wounded, he might have survived the Trojan War.
Wound Treatment - Yarrow contains many chemicals that support its traditional use in wound treatment. Two-achilletin and achilleine-spur blood coagulation. Several-azulene. camphor, chamazulene. eugenol, menthol, quercetin, rutin, and salicylic acid-have anti-inflammatory and painrelieving action. Several others-tannins, terpeniol, and cineol-are antiseptic.
Digestive Aid - Yarrow contains a chemical also present in chamomile and chamazulene. that helps relax the smooth muscle tissue of the digestive tract, making itan antispasmodic. Scientists do not consider yarrow’s digestive action as potent as chamomile’s, however.
Women’s Health - Antispasmodics relax not only the digestive tract but other smooth muscles, such as the uterus, as well, lending some credence to yarrow’s use in treating menstrual cramps.
Tranquilizer, Sedative - Yarrow also contains a small amount of a hypnotic chemical, thujone. the effects of which have been compared to marijuana. The thujone in yarrow may account for its traditional use as a sedative. In large amounts, thujone is poisonous, but recommended amounts of yarrow do not contain enough to cause harm.
Intriguing Possibility - Two animal studies show yarrow protects the liver from toxic chemical damage. And a scientifically conducted trial in India showed yarrow helps treat hepatitis. If you have liver disease, ask your physician about using yarrow in addition to standard therapies.
Rx for Yarrow
For wound treatment, press fresh leaves and flower tops into cuts and scrapes on the way to washing and bandaging them.
For a possible tranquilizing infusion to help aid digestion or help treat menstrual cramps, use I to 2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 to 15 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day. Yarrow tastes tangy and bitter with some astringency. To improve flavor, add honey, sugar, or lemon, or mix it with an herbal beverage blend.
To help promote healing, apply it externally to clean wounds and inflammations.
In a tincture, use ½ to 1 teaspoon up to three times a day. Medicinal yarrow preparations should not be given to children under age 2. For older children and people over 65, start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.