Carpenters Weed is also known as: Bad Mans Plaything, Bloodwort, Achillea Millefolium, Devils Nettle, DevilsPlaything, FieldHop, HerbeMilitaris, KnightsMilfoil, NoseBleed, OldMansPepper, Sangui

Achillea Millefolium

 

Achillea millefolium is known by a variety of names including Bad Man's Plaything, Bloodwort, Carpenter's Weed, Devil’s Nettle, Devil’s Plaything, Field Hop, Herbe Militaris, Knight's Milfoil, Nose Bleed, Old Man's Pepper, Sanguinary, Soldier's Woundwort, Staunchweed, Thousand Weed, Yarroway, Gearwe, and Yerw.  The most commonly understood name for Achillea millefolium is Yarrow.

 

Herb Overview

 

Achillea millefolium has its origins in the Orient and is an herb that is frequently used for wound treatments.  Equally, the Achillea millefolium, when in Tea form, is revered for its anti-depressant properties.  As can be gathered by some of the herb’s aliases, Achillea millefolium is excellent for the suppression of Bleeding, especially nose bleeds.  Moreover, one will find that the Achillea millefolium is frequently used to alleviate headaches. 

This herb has various legends associated with its origins, one being that it is named after the Greek hero Achilles: a hero that lost his life to excessive Bleeding from the one area of his body that was vulnerable to injury.  Legend has it that Achilles was dipped into the river Styx by his mother in order to make him immortal and the mother held the child Achilles by his heel, leaving the one area vulnerable to attack.  In his adulthood, Achilles was killed by Paris during the Trojan War when Paris shot Achilles in the heel and subsequently bled to death from the wound. 

Due to the fact that this herb is good for Bleeding ailments, it is also excellent for difficulties related to Menstruation.  Finally, Achillea millefolium has been used to treat cold and Flu symptoms, as well as gastrointestinal difficulties and Fever.

 

Herb Description

 

Achillea millefolium is a plant that possesses white, pastel pink, yellow, red, or light lilac flowers that appear during the period from June to September primarily in the Northern Hemisphere.  Each of the flowers looks like miniature daisies and the body of the plant appears to be covered with white, thin hairs.  Achillea millefolium is akin to Chamomile, and can be found growing freely in meadows or in arid areas that receive plenty of sunlight. It is also not uncommon to find this plant sprouting up along the road in various patches. 

The Achillea millefolium is a plant that can reach beyond four feet in height and its leaves are smaller toward the top of the plant and larger near the roots.  In terms of foliage, the Achillea millefolium possesses leaves that look somewhat feathery and the flowers themselves bloom in clusters.

 

Herb Make-Up

 

All parts of the Achillea millefolium that exist above ground can be used for medicinal use.  The plant is easily harvested wherever it grows, the Achillea millefolium grows on its own in the wild and it should be harvested when the flowers of the plant appear as it makes for easier plant identification.

 

 

Types Available

 

Achillea millefolium can be used and is sold in a variety of different forms.  Achillea millefolium can be used freshly harvested, it can be used as a Tincture, in a liquid extract form, and it is sold in both capsules and tablets.  With the use of a Tea ball, individuals can drink Achillea millefolium as a brewed Tea.

 

Method of Intake

 

Achillea millefolium can be given to both children and adults.  Children should take the amount that is appropriate for their body weight.  For children at fifty pounds, 25 kg is appropriate, which is roughly one third of what an adult would take in terms of dosage. 

 

There are numerous methods for taking Achillea millefolium.  As mentioned earlier, the herb can easily be brewed into a Tea and sweetened to taste with Honey.  The herb can also be taken in its dry form, three times a day at a dosage that is no more than 4 grams.  Tinctures should be created at a ratio of 1:5 and a few ounces of Achillea millefolium added to 5 gallons of tub water also serves as a method of treatment. The herb can also be appropriately taken as an extract, created at a ratio of 1:1, or in the form of drops: again no more than three times per day. 

 

 

Medicinal Uses and Indications

 

Achillea millefolium is quite useful in treating a number of ailments. Achillea millefolium has been successfully used to treat Colds, decreased appetite, Fever, Flu symptoms, gallbladder conditions, gastrointestinal problems, high Blood pressure, infections (particularly wound), inflammation, liver conditions, menstrual cramping, menstrual difficulties, Menstrual Discomfort, slow Bleeding, spasms, and to promote wound healing.

Furthermore, Achillea millefolium is often used to treat various skin ailments (including Eczema), and is sometimes used in pain relieving medications like eugenol.  Achillea millefolium is revered for its healing properties and is excellent for soothing a sore throat when used as an infusion. 

Finally, Achillea millefolium can be used to treat Asthma when steeped in boiling water: the individual that has Asthma would then breathe in the vapors created from the steam produced.

 

Precautions

 

Despite the fact that Achillea millefolium is typically considered safe, it is not wise for pregnant women and women who are breast feeding to use the herb.  Sufficient studies have not be conducted to determine the level of hazard, if any, that the herb may have to an unborn child or nursing child and should therefore be avoided under such circumstances. 

Pregnant women should specifically avoid the plant or herb because it may induce uterine Bleeding.  Further, users of Achillea millefolium should avoid mixing the use of too many herbs as they may interact or counter act with one another. 

Allergies also need to be considered and if one decides to use Achillea millefolium for the first time, they should keep a wary eye out for the signs of an allergic reaction.  Some signs include sudden swelling, rash, itching, and difficulty breathing.  Finally, all herbs should be taken under the appropriate supervision of a professional.

 

 

Interaction possibilities

 

There currently exists no evidence that Achillea millefolium interacts with other drugs.  Nevertheless, discuss taking the herb with a professional before you begin using it.