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How to Use the Materia Medica

The Materia Medica is the heart of this book. It is a comprehensive directory of the 150 herbs most commonly used by modern Western herbalists. They are all easily available from most herbal suppliers, and because this book is intended for use by lay people as well as students and practitioners of herbal medicine, none of them is a “Schedule 3” herb, that is herbs whose dosage is restricted by law due to the presence of powerful constituents, often alkaloids, that require caution in their use.

The Materia Medica is a detailed herb directory, organised alphabetically by Latin name. Each entry includes the common name, family, parts used, major constituents and the actions of the plants. It then lists the herb's indications for use in treatment according to the systems of the body, including recent cross-reference to the Treating Common Ailments chapter (see pages 275–353) so that you can be informed about the herbs that you choose.

ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM: YARROW

Family Asterceae/Compositae

Parts Used Aerial parts

Constituents

Volatile oil (azulene, borneol, camphor, linalool, pinene, thujone), flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, quercetin), sesquiterpenes, silica, sterols, bitters, tannins, salicylic acid, amino acids (lysine), coumarins, fatty acids (linoleic, palmitic, oleic), vitamins (B, C, E), minerals.

Actions

Diaphoretic, diuretic, astringent, digestive, bitter tonic, hepatic, antimicrobial, alterative, decongestant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, vasodilator, analgesic, antihistamine, emmenagogue, expectorant, haemostatic, styptic, vulnerary.

Growing wild in hedgerows and meadows in the Northern hemisphere, yarrow has been valued as a first aid remedy since the time of the ancient Greeks, for staunching bleeding and healing cuts and wounds.

Digestion

• Yarrow stimulates the appetite, and enhances digestion and absorption of nutrients.

• It can be used to treat wind, spasm, IBS and indigestion.

• Its astringent tannins protect the gut from irritation and infection, helpful in diarrhoea and inflammatory problems including gastritis and colitis.

Circulation

• Taken in hot tea, yarrow promotes sweating, and helps reduce fevers.

• It lowers blood pressure, improves circulation, relieves leg cramps and varicose veins.

Nervous System

• Yarrow can be used as a gentle relaxant.

• Its astringent properties tighten our subtle boundaries, reduces susceptibility to negativity from others.

Respiratory System

• When taken in hot tea with mint and elderflower, yarrow relieves colds and congestion.

• Its anti-histamine effect (from luteolin) can be used for allergies such as rhinitis.