Blood Staunch


Blood Staunch

Over 85 species of quite hardy, often aromatic, commonly mat-forming perennials make up this genus, which occurs in northern temperate regions. Some are semi-evergreen. Achilleas make attractive plants for the border or rock garden, with long-lived floers that last well in water. Most have a number of cultivars in a range of colors for ornamental plantings. Achillea was named after Achilles, who used it to heal his soldier's wounds after the siege of Troy. Yarrow (A. millefolium) is closely linked to divination, giving rise to sayings and verses in many parts of the world. In China, yarrow stalks are used in consulting the I Ching (Book of Changes). Over 40 diferent constituents have been isolated from yarrow. These include an essential oil, which has anti-inflammatory azulene. The azulene content varies between plants, even in the same habitat. English or garden mace (A ageratum syn. A. decolorans), also known as maudlin or sweet milfoil, was once used medicinally in similar ways to alecost (Tanacetum balsamita see alecost). The aromatic leaves are good in soups and potato salad. Achillea erba-rotta subsp. moschata (musk yarrow) is used in perfumery and in the making of iva liqueur, wine and bitters. Sneezewort (A. ptarmica) was once used medicinally and , as the common name suggests, for making snuff.

A major healing herb during medieval times, yarrow was carried in pouches by doctors and common people alike as a sort of first-aid kit to treat wounds and ward off infections. Yarrow is used today to treat problems with the gastrointestinal, respiratory, urinary, and reproductive tracts.

Aromatic perennial with tough stems, and feathery leaves, 5-15cm (2-6in) long. White to pink flowers, about 6mm (¼in)across are produced in flat corymbs from early summer to late autumn.


Common Name:
Blood Staunch
Other Names:
Bloodwort, Old Man's Pepper, Milfoil, Soldier's Woundwort, Carpenter's Weed, Nosebleed, Yarrow
Botanical Name:
Achillea millefolium
Genus:
Achillea
Family:
Asteraceae
Location:
Northern Temperate regions
Cultivation:
Well-drained soil in full sun. Yarrow is prone to mildew in hot, dry conditions. It tends to be invasive if not confined in a container. The flowers attract beneficial insects, including hoverflies, ladybugs, and parasitic wasps that prey on garden pests, notable aphids.
Propagation:
By division in spring; by seed sown in spring. Variants do not come true from seed.
Harvest:
Flowering plants are cut in summer and dried for use in infusions, liquid extracts, lotions, and tinctures.
Height:
5-30cm (2-12in)
Width:
5-20cm (2-8in)
Variations:
Cerise Queen
Magenta-pink flowers
Height: 60cm (24in)
Width: 60cm (24in)
Lilac Beauty syn Lavender Beauty
Lilac pink flowers
Height: 80cm (32in)
Moonshine
is a clump forming yarrow with striking silver-green foliage and flat clusters of pleasant yellow flowers from June through September. The flowers are very long lasting and are wonderful for cutting and drying. Deadhead the flowers for re-bloom and cut back to the basil leaf after bloom has finished. This is a compact variety of Yarrow with a 2’ height and spread making it a great plant for front borders. Moonshine needs good drainage and can take poor to moderate soils, but avoid clay and rich soils. Achillea millefolium ‘Moonshine’ is deer and rabbit resistant.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3-9
Plant Use: Flowering Perennial
Exposure: Full Sun
Water Requirements: Medium to Low
Paprika
Orange red flowers that fade with age
Height: 60cm (24in)
Width: 60cm (24in)
Sammertriese
Dark Magenta flower heads
Width: 20cm (8in)
Height: 80cm (32in)
Note: Cultivars are less invasive than the species.
Summer Pastels
is is a less aggressive, compact grower than most yarrows. This Yarrow's narrow fern-like foliage will soften your perennial border. When deadheaded it will bloom from early summer to first frost. 'Summer Pastels' has a soft mix of pastel colored flowers, from pink, peach, purple, and white to yellow. Achillea millefolium ‘Summer Pastels ’ can get 24-30" tall at maturity.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3-9 AHS Zones 2-9
Plant Use: Flowering Perennial
Exposure: Full Sun
Water Requirements: Medium to Low
Hardiness:
Z3-9
Parts Used:
Whole Plant, flower, above ground parts
Properties:
An aromatic, bitter, astringent herb that reduces inflammation, promotes perspiration, relieves indigestion, and is a diuretic. It is also effective in lowering blood pressure, relaxing spasms, and arresting hemorrhage.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for feverish illnesses (especially colds, influenza, and measles), mucus, diarrhea, dyspepsia, rheumatism, arthritis, menstrual and menopausal complaints, hypertension, and to protect against thrombosis after stroke or heart attack. Externally for wounds, nosebleeds, ulcers, inflamed eyes, and hemorrhoids. Combines well with Sambucus nigra (see elder) and Mentha x. piperita (see peppermint) for fevers, with Tilia (see linden) for high blood pressure, and Chamaemelum nobile (see Roman chamomile) for digestive disorders. Used similarly in Ayurvedic medicine and also as a tonic (often combined with Salvia officinalis, see sage) for the nervous system. Prolonged use of yarrow may cause allergic rashes and make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.
To treat mild spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, loss of appetite, wounds, uterine/pelvic complaints, and bleeding hemorrhoids. Germany's Commission E has a approved the use of yarrow to treat gastrointestinal discomfort and complaints, loss of appetite, and female abdominal complaints.
Typical Dose:
A typical dose of yarrow is approximately 2 gm of finely cut herb mixed with 150 ml boiling water, steeped for 10 to 15 minutes, strained and taken as a tea three to four times daily between meals.
Possible Side Effects:
Yarrow's side effects include drowsiness, uterine stimulation, and contact dermatitis.
Drug Interactions:
Taking yarrow with these drugs may interfere with the absorption of the drug:
Ferric Gluconate, (Ferrlecit)
Ferrous Fumarate, (Femiron, Feostat)
Ferrous Gluconate, (Fergon, Novo-Ferrogluc)
Ferrous Sulfate, (Feratab, Fer-Iron)
Ferrous Sulfate and Ascorbic Acid, (Fero-Grad 500, Vitelle Irospan)
Iron-Dextran Complex, (Dexferrum, INFeD)
Polysaccharide-Iron Complex, (Hytinic, Niferex)
Taking yarrow with these drugs may disrupt blood sugar control:
Acarbose, (Prandase, Precose)
Glipizide, (Glucotrol)
Glyburide, (DiaBeta, Micronase)
Insulin, (Humulin, Novolin R)
Metformin, (Glucophage, Riomet)
Miglitol, (Glyset)
Pioglitazone, (Actos)
Repaglinide, (GlucoNorm, Prandin)
Rosiglitazone, (Avandia)
Taking yarrow with these drugs may increase the risk of hypotension (excessively low blood pressure):
Acebutolol, (Novo-Acebutolol, Sectral)
Amlodipine, (Norvasc)
Atenolol, (Apo-Atenol, Tenormin)
Benazepril, (Lotensin)
Betaxolol, (Betoptic S, Kerlone)
Bisoprolol, (Monocor, Zebeta)
Bumetanide, (Bumex, Burinex)
Candesartan, (Atacand)
Captopril, (Capoten, Novo-Captopril)
Carteolol, (Cartrol, Ocupress)
Carvedilol, (Coreg)
Chlorothiazide, (Diuril)
Chlorthalidone, (Apo-Chlorthalidone, Thalitone)
Clonidine, (Catapres, Duraclon)
Diazoxide, (Hyperstat, Proglycem)
Diltiazem, (Cardizem, Tiazac)
Doxazosin, (Alti-Doxazosin, Cardura)
Enalapril, (Vasotec)
Eplerenone, (Inspra)
Eprosartan, (Teveten)
Esmolol, (Brevibloc)
Felodipine, (Plendil, Renedil)
Fenoldopam, (Corlopam)
Fosinopril, (Monopril)
Furosemide, (Apo-Furosemide, Lasix)
Guanabenz, (Wytensin)
Guanadrel, (Hylorel)
Guanfacine, (Tenex)
Hydralazine, (Apresoline, Novo-Hylazin)
Hydrochlorothiazide, (Apo-Hydro, Microzide)
Hydrochlorothiazide and Triamterene, (Dyazide, Maxzide)
Indapamide, (Lozol, Nu-Indapamide)
Irbesartan, (Avapro)
Isradipine, (DynaCirc)
Labetolol, (Normodyne, Trandate)
Lisinopril, (Prinivil, Zestril)
Losartan, (Cozaar)
Mecamylamine, (Inversine)
Mefruside, (Baycaron)
Methyclothiazide, (Aquatensen, Enduron)
Methyldopa, (Apo-Methyldopa, Nu-Medopa)
Metolazone, (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn)
Metoprolol, (Betaloc, Lopressor)
Minoxidil, (Loniten, Rogaine)
Moexipril, (Univasc)
Nadolol, (Apo-Nadol, Corgard)
Nicardipine, (Cardene)
Nifedipine, (Adalat CC, Procardia)
Nisoldipine, (Sular)
Nitroglycerin, (Minitran, Nitro-Dur)
Nitroprusside, (Nipride, Nitropress)
Olmesartan, (Benicar)
Oxprenolol, (Slow-Trasicor, Trasicor)
Perindopril Erbumine, (Aceon, Coversyl)
Phenoxybenzamine, (Dibenzyline)
Phentolamine, (Regitine, Rogitine)
Pindolol, (Apo-Pindol, Novo-Pindol)
Polythiazide, (Renese)
Prazosin, (Minipress, Nu-Prazo)
Propranolol, (Inderal, InnoPran XL)
Quinapril, (Accupril)
Ramipril, (Altace)
Reserpine, (Reserpine)
Spironolactone, (Aldactone, Novo-Spiroton)
Telmisartan, (Micardis)
Terazosin, (Alti-Terazosin, Hytrin)
Timolol, (Betimol, Timoptic)
Torsemide, (Demedex)
Trandolapril, (Mavik)
Triamterene, (Dyrenium)
Trichlormethiazide, (Metatensin, Naqua)
Valsartan, (Diovan)
Verapamil, (Calan, Isoptin SR)
Taking yarrow with these drugs may increase the risk of bleeding or bruising:
Abciximab, (ReoPro)
Aminosalicylic Acid, (Nemasol Sodium, Paser)
Antithrombin III, (Thrombate III)
Argatroban, (Argatroban)
Aspirin, (Bufferin, Ecotrin)
Aspirin and Dipyridamole, (Aggrenox)
Bivalirudin, (Angiomax)
Choline Magnesium trisalicylate, (Trilisate)
Choline Salicylate, (Teejel)
Clopidogrel, (Plavix)
Dalteparin, (Fragmin)
Danaparoid, (Orgaran)
Dipyridamole, (Novo-Dipiradol, Persantine)
Enoxaparin, (Lovenox)
Eptifibatide, (Integrillin)
Fondaparinux, (Arixtra)
Heparin, (Hepalean, Hep-Lock)
Indobufen, (Ibustrin)
Lepirudin, (Refludan)
Salsalate, (Amgesic, Salflex)
Ticlopidine, (Alti-Ticlopidine, Ticlid)
Tinzaparin, (Innohep)
Tirofiban, (Aggrastat)
Warfarin, (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Taking yarrow with these drugs may increase the risk of excessive sedation and mental depression and impairment:
Acetaminophen and Codeine, (Capital and Codeine, Tylenol with Codeine)
Alfentanil, (Alfenta)
Alprazolam, (Apo-Alpraz, Xanax)
Amobarbital, (Amytal)
Amobarbital and Secobarbital, (Tuinal)
Aspirin and Codeine, (Coryphen Codeine)
Belladonna and Opium, (B&O Supprettes)
Bromazepam, (Apo-Bromazepam, Gen-Bromazepam)
Brotizolam, (Lendorm, Sintonal)
Buprenorphine, (Buprenex, Subutex)
Buprenorphine and Naloxone, (Suboxone)
Butabarbital, (Butisol Sodium)
Butalbital, Acetaminophen and Caffeine, (Esgic, Fioricet)
Butalbital, Aspirin and Caffeine, (Fiorinal)
Butorphanol, (Apo-Butorphanol, Stadol)
Chloral Hydrate, (Aquachloral Supprettes, Somnote)
Chlordiazepoxide, (Apo-Chlordiazepoxide, Librium)
Clobazam, (Alti-Clobazam, Frisium)
Clonazepam, (Klonopin, Rivotril)
Clorazepate, (Tranxene, T-Tab)
Codeine, (Codeine Contin)
Dexmedetomidine, (Precedex)
Diazepam, (Apo-Diazepam, Valium)
Dihydrocodeine, Aspirin, and Caffeine, (Synalgos-DC)
Diphenhydramine, (Benadryl Allergy, Nytol)
Estazolam, (ProSom)
Fentanyl, (Actiq, Duragesic)
Flurazepam, (Apo-Flurazepam, Dalmane)
Glutethimide, (Glutethimide)
Haloperidol, (Haldol, Novo-Peridol)
Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen, (Vicodin, Zydone)
Hydrocodone and Aspirin, (Damason-P)
Hydrocodone and Ibuprofen, (Vicoprofen)
Hydromorphone, (Dilaudid, PMS-Hydromorphone)
Hydroxyzine, (Atarax, Vistaril)
Levomethadyl Acetate Hydrochloride, (Levomethadyl Acetate Hydrochloride)
Levorphanol, (LevoDromoran)
Loprazolam, (Domonoct, Havlane)
Lorazepam, (Ativan, Nu-Loraz)
Meperidine, (Demerol, Meperitab)
Meperidine and Promethazine, (Meperidine and Promethazine)
Mephobarbital, (Mebaral)
Methadone, (Dolophine, Methadose)
Methohexital, (Brevital, Brevital Sodium)
Midazolam, (Apo-Midazolam, Versed)
Morphine Sulfate, (Kadian, MS Contin)
Nalbuphine, (Nubain)
Opium Tincture, (Opium Tincture)
Oxycodone, (OxyContin, Roxicodone)
Oxycodone and Acetaminophen, (Endocet, Percocet)
Oxycodone and Aspirin, (Endodan, Percodan)
Oxymorphone, (Numorphan)
Paregoric, (Paregoric)
Pentazocine, (Talwin)
Pentobarbital, (Nembutal)
Phenobarbital, (Luminal Sodium, PMS-Phenobarbital)
Phenoperidine, (Phenoperidine)
Prazepam, (Prazepam)
Primidone, (Apo-Primidone, Mysoline)
Promethazine, (Phenergan)
Propofol, (Diprivan)
Propoxyphene, (Darvon, Darvon-N)
Propoxyphene and Acetaminophen, (Darvocet-N 50, Darvocet-N 100)
Propoxyphene, Aspirin, and Caffeine, (Darvon Compound)
Quazepam, (Doral)
Remifentanil, (Ultiva)
Secobarbital, (Seconal)
Sufentanil, (Sufenta)
S-Zopiclone, (Lunesta)
Temazepam, (Novo-Temazepam, Restoril)
Tetrazepam, (Mobiforton, Musapam)
Thiopental, (Pentothal)
Triazolam, (Apo-Triazo, Halcion)
Zaleplon, (Sonata, Stamoc)
Zolpidem, (Ambien)
Zopiclone, (Alti-Zopiclone, Gen-Zopiclone)
Taking yarrow with this drug may be harmful:
Sucralfate, (Carafate, Sulcrate)—May interfere with the action of the drug.
Supplement Interactions:
Increased risk of thujone toxicity when taken with herbs containing thujone, such as Oak Moss, Oriental Arbor-Vitae, Sage, Tansy, and Tree Moss.
Bibliography:
Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pp.98-99
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.409-502
Magnolia Gardens Nursery Copyright©2009 Magnolia Gardens Nursery.