OVERVIEW
An example of a herb is yarrow. The parts that grow above ground are the ones that are used in medicinal preparations.
Yarrow is used to treat fever, the common cold, hay fever, the absence of menstruation, dysentery, diarrhea, loss of appetite, discomfort in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and to induce sweating. It is also used to treat dysentery, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract discomfort.
Chewing on the fresh leaves can provide some people with relief from toothache.
Yarrow is used topically to treat hemorrhoids, wounds, and as an ingredient in sitz baths for the treatment of painful conditions affecting a woman’s lower pelvic region that are similar to cramps.
To treat bloating, intestinal gas (flatulence), mild gastrointestinal (GI) cramping, and other gastrointestinal (GI) complaints, yarrow is often combined with other medicinal herbs.
The young leaves and flowers of yarrow are typically used in salads when it comes to culinary applications.
Yarrow is utilized in the production process not only as a cosmetic cleanser but also in snuff. Shampoos often contain yarrow oil as an ingredient.
How does it work?
The herb yarrow contains a number of chemicals, some of which have been shown to have the ability to reduce inflammation and blood pressure.
USES & EFFECTIVENESS
There is not Enough Evidence to Determine the Effectiveness of… Gum disease (gingivitis). The preliminary findings of this research suggest that using a mouthwash for three months that contains juniper, nettle, and yarrow does not improve gum disease.
Fever.
- The typical cold.
- Hay fever.
- Diarrhea.
- Discomfort in the stomach
- Bloating.
- Gas.
- Toothache.
Additional prerequisites.
To adequately assess the usefulness of yarrow for these purposes, additional evidence is required.
Natural Medicines On the basis of the scientific evidence, Comprehensive Database assigns ratings of effectiveness using the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. Insufficient evidence to rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
SIDE EFFECTS
When consumed orally in the amounts that are typically found in food, yarrow is most likely safe to use. Products made from yarrow that contain thujone, on the other hand, might not be safe to use.
When used in appropriate doses for medicinal purposes, yarrow can be consumed without risk. When taken orally, yarrow has the potential to make some people feel sleepy and to make them urinate more frequently. It is possible for yarrow to irritate the skin when it comes into contact with the human body.
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS & WARNINGS
Pregnancy and the act of nursing an infant: When taken orally by a pregnant woman, yarrow can disrupt the menstrual cycle and increase the risk of a miscarriage. This makes yarrow likely unsafe for use during pregnancy.
There is not enough trustworthy information available at this time to determine whether or not taking yarrow while breastfeeding is safe. To be on the safe side, you should avoid using it.
Disorders related to bleeding: yarrow may make it take longer for the blood to clot. Consuming yarrow could, in theory, make people with bleeding disorders more prone to bleeding after they cut themselves.
People who are allergic to ragweed and other plants in the same family may experience an allergic reaction to yarrow. The Asteraceae and Compositae families are responsible for these allergies. There are many different types of flowers that belong to this family, such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies. Before taking yarrow, anyone who suffers from allergies should make sure their doctor is aware of their condition.
Because yarrow may cause a delay in the clotting of blood, there is a possibility that it may lead to an increase in bleeding both during and after surgical procedures. At least two weeks before a scheduled operation, you should stop taking yarrow.
INTERACTIONS
Rating for LithiumInteraction: Moderately Dangerous Take care when putting these things together. Have a conversation with your primary care physician.
There is a possibility that yarrow has a similar effect to that of a water pill or “diuretic.” Taking yarrow may make it more difficult for the body to eliminate lithium effectively. This could result in serious side effects due to the increased amount of lithium that is present in the body. If you are currently taking lithium, you should consult your primary care physician before using this product. It’s possible that your current dosage of lithium needs to be adjusted.
Medications that prevent or slow the clotting of blood, also known as anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs
Rating for Interaction: Moderately Effective Take care when putting these things together. Have a conversation with your primary care physician.
It’s possible that consuming a lot of yarrow will make your blood clot more slowly. It is possible that the risk of bruising and bleeding will increase if you take yarrow in combination with other medications that also slow clotting.
Aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, and other brands), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and other brands), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, and other brands), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and a number of other medications
Medications that put one to sleep (Barbiturates)
Rating for Interaction: Moderately Effective Take care when putting these things together. Have a conversation with your primary care physician.
It’s possible that yarrow will make you feel sleepy and drowsy. Sedatives are a class of medications that are used to induce sleepiness. It’s possible that the combination of yarrow and sedative medication will make you feel too sleepy.
Rating for interactions with Antacids: Mild Take care when putting these things together. Have a conversation with your primary care physician.
Antacids are taken to reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach. There is some evidence that yarrow can raise stomach acid. It’s possible that yarrow’s ability to stimulate acid production in the stomach could make antacids less effective.
Magnesium sulfate (Bilagog), aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel), calcium carbonate (Tums and other brands), dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate (Rolaids and other brands), magaldrate (Riopan), and magnesium carbonate (Riopan) are some of the antacids available.
Medications that lower the amount of acid produced by the stomach (H2-blockers)
Evaluation of Interaction: Moderate Take care when putting these things together. Have a conversation with your primary care physician.
There is a possibility that yarrow will raise stomach acid. The herb yarrow has the potential to reduce the efficacy of certain medications known as H2-blockers, which are designed to reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach.
Cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid), and famotidine are all examples of medications that can reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach (Pepcid).
Medications that lower the amount of acid produced by the stomach (Proton pump inhibitors)
Evaluation of Interaction: Moderate Take care when putting these things together. Have a conversation with your primary care physician.
There is a possibility that yarrow will raise stomach acid. Yarrow has the potential to reduce the effectiveness of medications known as proton pump inhibitors, which are used to lower the amount of acid produced in the stomach.
Some medications that decrease stomach acid include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium) (Nexium).
DOSING
The appropriate dose of yarrow is determined by a number of factors, including the age of the user, their current state of health, and a number of other conditions. There is not a sufficient amount of scientific information available at this time to determine an appropriate range of doses for yarrow. It is important to keep in mind that natural products are not always guaranteed to be safe, and that dosages can sometimes be very significant. Before using, ensure that you have read and understood all applicable directions found on product labels, and check in with your pharmacist, your doctor, or another qualified healthcare professional.
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