YARROW Achillea millefolium, L.( Dr. A. J. Thut, Guelph, Canada)
Folk Medicine: Since the fifteenth century Russian Herbalists have used and recommended Yarrow. As tea, decoction, Nastoika( with vodka) for bleeding, stomach sickness, gastritis, ulcers, dysentery, diarrhoea, female bleeding, inflamed processes, cold, cough, liver, anaemia, headache, TB of the lungs, shortness of breath, nervousness, high blood pressure, tabes of spinal marrow. Externally: Decoctions and poultice for surface or subcutaneous skin conditions. Clinically: Recently recognition has been given to extracts and decoctions for stomach sickness, especially ulcers, and for bleeding and gastritis. Also as an appetiser and externally as styptic( Atlas, Moscow, 1963).
YELLOW DOCK Rumex crispus, L.( N. O.: Polygonaceae)
Common Names: Curled Dock, Narrow Dock, Sour Dock, Rumex, Garden Patience. Features: The Docks are members of the buckwheat family, native to Europe, except the bluntleaved, which is indigenous. However, they have all been introduced into the United States. There are four varieties of Dock which may be used in medicine: the Rumex aquaticus( Great water dock), Rumex britannica( Water dock), Rumex abtusifolius( Blunt-leaved dock), and the Rumex crispus( Yellow dock). They all possess similar medicinal qualities, but the Yellow dock is the only one entitled to extensive consideration. The yellowish spindle-shaped root has scarcely any odour, but has astringent, bitter taste.
It grows 2 – 3 ft. high with slender, crisped-edged leaves, which are lanceolate, acute and of a lightgreen colour; the leaves and stalk have a sour taste. The flowers are numerous, pale green, drooping and interspersed with leaves below; can be seen in June and July. Medicinal Part: The root. Solvents: Water, alcohol. Bodily Influence: Alterative, Astringent, Laxative, Antiscorbutic, Tonic. Uses: A favourite herb of the ancient Indians, old time doctors, early settlers and herbal practitioners. For some conditions it has no equal, especially if compounded with other supporting herbs. The rich and easily digested plant iron is one of the main contents of Yellow dock, so essential for man, animal and plant life. This common herb has valuable ingredients for conditions of the blood and glandular system and is indicated in scrofula, eruptive diseases, especially when discharges are experienced, as in running of the ears, ulcerated eyelids and skin conditions, itch, scurvy, etc.
When accumulation of waste matters progress to swelling or tumours, Yellow dock is of service both internally and externally. Many Herbalists use the mineral-rich plant for cancer, leprosy, bleeding of the lungs and bowels and for rheumatic conditions. It also has much merit in dyspepsia,