Yarrow - Achillea millefolia 

by Jo Francks, MH

Yarrow has been chosen as the herb of the year for 2024 by the International Herb Association. I think Dr. Christopher would say, “It’s about time!” His most memorable way of using yarrow was as a diaphoretic. When used as a hot tea, it acts as a diaphoretic and will cause perspiration. He would have his patients soak in a hot tub of water and drink hot yarrow tea which caused profuse perspiration. This was a process used in his famous Cold Sheet Treatment which was used for acute illnesses such as pneumonia, colds, flus, and fevers. The point of the therapy was to raise the body temperature which in turn incubates the immune cells so they rapidly increase and go out and destroy invaders like bacteria and viruses. The bath is followed by wrapping the patient in a cold wet sheet and putting them to bed to continue sweating for a while. (For more information about this procedure see Dr. Christopher's booklet, The Cold Sheet Treatment.)

 

Another thing Dr. Christopher taught about yarrow was to bring the hair back to its original color. He promised that by rinsing the hair with yarrow tea, it would bring the hair back to its natural color within a year. I have seen this work for many people, to their great surprise. 

 

Yarrow is used as a styptic which means it stops bleeding when applied topically. It also helps with pain and to help wounds heal. Yarrow can be packed into a wound for complete healing. An ointment of yarrow can also be used for any kind of skin issue. It is very good to heal old wounds. 

 

The key to using most herbs is to use them at the first sign of an illness. If used abundantly at the first sign of a cold, yarrow will break it up within 24 hours. Yarrow also helps with circulation, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, kidney, liver and glandular issues.

 

Some interesting facts about Yarrow:

 

Old names for yarrow are Soldier’s Woundwort and Knight’s Milfoil for its ability to heal wounds. The word millefolium is derived from the many segments of its foliage and is sometimes called Milfoil or Thousand Weed. Nosebleed is another name for yarrow. The leaf was rolled up and applied to the nostrils which would cause bleeding and afford relief to headaches. Interestingly, it was also used to stop a nosebleed.

 

This is the year to celebrate the use of yarrow and all of its wonderful qualities. It is easy to grow. The whole plant is used. Harvest just as the flowers appear. The flowers are a little more potent than the leaves, but I find the whole plant works great. 

 

Jo Francks is a Master Herbalist working at the School of Natural Healing.

 Chickweed Stelaria media

Jo Francks MH

As we approach the end of one year and the beginning of another, many people are thinking about making goals and resolutions for the coming year. This often includes intentions for weight loss and a desire for better health. One herb that could  help accomplish these goals is chickweed. Of the many benefits of chickweed, one of particular interest is that it is used as an appetite suppressant and for obesity. Chickweed is included in many weight-loss formulas including Dr. Christopher’s Appetite formula and the Metaburn formula. Chickweed is high in saponins which help emulsify fat cells and flush them from the body. It is also known to dissolve fatty tumors.

One of the properties of chickweed listed in Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss is a discutient. I had to look that up and learned that it is a substance that is capable of dissipating morbid matter; a medicine or application which disperses a tumor or any coagulated fluid in the body. It also disperses a swelling or an effusion and disperses diseased matter. It is wonderful to know that chickweed has these properties. It is a delicate looking plant and considered an invasive weed, but is used to treat many different ailments. 

Chickweed is also edible. It is best when it is young and tender. It can be added to salads or cooked as a green vegetable. Nutritionally it provides Vitamin C, B vitamins, rutin, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium.

Dr. Christopher prized this herb for its ability to heal skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis. He was so confident in chickweed's healing abilities that he prescribed it to little babies as a wash and to be used internally with good results. 

Chickweed is good to use as a healing herb for skin problems, lung inflammation, poor circulation, to strengthen the stomach and the bowels, as a blood purifier, and to dissolve plaque in the blood vessels.

Consider adding chickweed to your life. It may be just what you need to help you accomplish your goals for the new year.