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Yarrow also aids other herbs growing close to it, increasing their health and essential oils, and attracting beneficial insects. Ironically enough, the only plant it doesn't help is itself. Over several years, a build-up of its own toxins in the soil will hinder the herb's growth. Pregnant women should avoid yarrow, since large doses may cause abortion.
John Heinerman touts yarrow's "great ability to reduce tissue and joint inflammation in everything from wounds and edema to gout and arthritis." So it will make a soothing bath for sore muscles or aching joints, and was sometimes chewed to dull toothache pain. It also stops internal hemmorrhages--such as bleeding in the lungs and ulcers--and relieves digestive problems. Brewers flavored beer with this "field hop," perhaps because it had a reputation for dispelling melancholy! It was also added to snuff, winning it another nickname: "old man's pepper." The flavor, however, is supposed to be more similar to nutmeg and cinnamon, for which it sometimes served as a bitter substitute. Yarrow reminds me of the strong-silent male who is willing to protect and help everybody else, but never mentions his own problems. Salt of the earth, in other words, but he needs dug out of his rut occasionally--for his own good! Note: First photo is by Mimi Kamp and image by National Geographic, both courtesy of the SW School of Botanical Medicine at: http://chili.rt66.com/hrbmoore/HOMEPAGE/... Second photo is by James Manhart, courtesy of the Texas Vascular Plant Image Library at: http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/ftc/dft
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The copyright of the article Staunch Yarrow: the Military Herb - Page 2 in Historical Plants is owned by Audrey Stallsmith. Permission to republish Staunch Yarrow: the Military Herb - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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