My Favourite Bitter – Yarrow

Wednesday 20th January, 2010 in Blog Party by Hedgerow Hippy | 4 comments

The UK Herbarium Webring is having a blog party!

Debs Cook is hosting at the Herbaholic’s Herbarium

The topic for this month is “My Favourite Bitter” and this is my contribution.

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As a bitter, yarrow ought to be cooling but, hang on, doesn’t it warm the periphery? It’s a styptic so it ought to stop nosebleeds but, no, this book says ‘stick it up your nose and it will bleed’.

It’s an emmenagogue but it’s often recommended to stem a heavy flow. What’s going on here? This incredible plant of contradictions is a perfect case study in the therapeutic complexities of herbal medicines. Each observed effect, when examined more closely, is actually a collection of actions which all contribute to the outcome. As this is a blog party about bitters I’ll focus on how this action contributes to its effectiveness in each area.

So, lets start with the primary area that bitters exert their action; the digestive system. As a mild bitter, Yarrow has a reputation as a digestive stimulant. Simon Mills, in his wee brown book (aka The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine)
, has a great chapter on the effects of bitters (p321-327). The gist of this is that bitters stimulate all digestive secretions therefore they not only improve digestive function, they also enhance the protective mechanisms. This, along with the direct astringency of Yarrow, makes it particularly healing to the digestive tract. The anti-spasmodic properties also help the tension that often accompanies digestive upset. So although it is a digestive stimulant it is also relaxing and these two properties combine to provide a balanced solution to digestive dysfunction.

Bitters are traditionally considered cooling and this can be attributed to their digestive effects because stimulating the circulation here helps to move heat from the core to the periphery. Therefore, although Yarrow is heating to the periphery, this is almost a side-effect of the cooling action. The stimulating effect may also extend to mood. As James Green
says: “It is difficult to remain in a depressed state with all that internal secreting and squirting going on…” The same goes for all the organs and tissues surrounding the digestive system; which brings us on to the reproductive system.

Stimulating the digestive system in turn stimulates uterine contraction which is one of the reasons that Yarrow is contra-indicated in pregnancy. This, however, makes it an effective emmenogogue. In fact, this is one of the first things I learned about Yarrow. I was taught that it stimulates pelvic circulation and this can be useful to stimulate menstrual flow. It can also relieve menstrual cramps caused by poor circulation. Again the anti-spasmodic attribute provides balance by ensuring overstimulation doesn’t worsen the cramps. But what about its use in heavy periods? This takes us back to the bitter effect on the digestive system. Heavy menstrual bleeding can be associated with oestrogen excess. As hormones are metabolised by the liver, poor liver function can result in poor hormone balance. This is also something I was taught in clinical practice. When a hormonal imbalance is apparent, go to the liver herbs first.

A more efficient liver is also a contributory factor in its effects on the circulation. The liver manufactures the blood components involved in coagulation. It also metabolises fats and manages the balance of cholesterol in the body. A well functioning liver will therefore help to maintain a healthy circulation. As discussed earlier, the bitter action has the effect of moving heat, i.e. blood, out to the periphery. However, the peripheral blood vessels need to be amenable to this. Mills
suggests that flavonoid and volatile oil components in Yarrow encourage vasodilation, giving that blood somewhere to go.

This is beneficial in a direct way as it takes nutrients to and removes waste from the periphery. It also contributes to Yarrow’s reputation for lowering blood pressure.

There are many more facets to this wonderful plant which all contribute to its effects. Its not one of the major bitters but its one of my favourite herbs so I’ve really enjoyed exploring that aspect of it here.

Oh – and the nosebleed thing? No idea! I’ve never managed to get it to make my nose bleed yet…

Munched!

Monday 14th September, 2009 in I went for a walk and I saw... by Hedgerow Hippy | No comments

So I did finally get out when there was a break in the showers last week and the hedgerows were heavy with ripe and ready hips and haws. The rain has clearly made for a good berry season. I was keen to see how the Mullein was coming along so I made my way straight along the path to the clearing. I was pretty sure the woolly leaves would still be too wet but hoped that maybe I could gather a few flowers. But it wasn’t woolly leaves that greeted me. It was woolly backs. Sheep! Four of them munching their way through the grass banks and not a Mullein in sight. Munched! Every last plant. To say I’m gutted… doesn’t even come close. I had been soooo looking forward to seeing them come up from the wee rosettes they had started off as last year. Even if the farmer fixes the fence, I can’t see how they can come up again. The only hope is that there are still one or two dead stalks from last year with, hopefully, some seed in them still.

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Vodkatastic

Monday 17th August, 2009 in Making Medicine, tinctures by Hedgerow Hippy | No comments

I’ve not had much chance to get out much lately but in between showers, I’ve managed a few small harvests. Last trip out I picked some Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) which I started straight away as per the guidance at The Herbarium, which pointed out that the flowers can spoil quite quickly. Red CloverSome fine chopping was required to get it to go into the right ratio of alcohol as the flowers are quite springy but I got there in the end. The resulting tincture is subtle but definitely floral. However, it was so subtle it failed to take the edge off the cheap vodka I used so I’d probably use a better quality next time. The Eyebright (Euphrasia spp.) on the other hand was stunning! Almost immediately, it smelled of vanilla-y chocolate but as it steeped I thought it was developing a bitter back note to it. When I bottled it up the other day I had a wee sip – Wow! Coconut! Strong and sweet and aromatic and, if there’s a bitterness about it, it’s the delicious bite of dark chocolate. A real eye-opener (pun very much intended!).

Speaking of punnets… a friend gave us a punnet of Bilberries (Vaccinium myrlillus) she had picked and they sat on the bunker for a day or two, seriously at risk of going to waste. So I bottled them up with some vodka; quick and easy. I did think about adding some sugar or honey but I’m not really much of a sweet tooth and I wasn’t sure of quantities and, well, straight vodka it was. I find soft fruits can be a bit tart though and, what with the cheap vodka, I wasn’t really holding out much hope. I reckoned I could sweeten it up later or something. It doesn’t need it. It’s got a fruity sweetness all of its own. If you like things sweet you could add lemonade maybe? But I don’t think it needs it. I haven’t decanted it because I want to do something with the berries and I haven’t decided what yet. I just had a wee sip there just now to remind myself of the flavour and it just keeps getting better and better; liquid, alcoholic jammy yummyness. I think I’ll try that with any other soft fruit that comes my way and see what happens.

I have two other projects on the go at the moment; both of which I’ve been wanting to do for ages. At long long last I’ve got my first batch of St John’s Wort oil (Hypericum perforatum) on the go.Hypericum It’s sitting in its jar on my sunniest window sill and is starting to go red (well more rosé really) but when I stir it that gets diluted and there’s only a tinge of pink to it. I think it obviously needs some more time. The other one is nettle seed tincture (Urtica dioica). I’ve been inspecting the nettles daily to see if the flowers have set seed and finally, they looked just right. Following the advice from Henriette’s website I collected them on the stalk and hung them up to dry; yes using gloves. When they were dry however, I managed to take all the leaves off and sort through the seeds with bare hands. They were a wee bit tingly but not in a horrible way at all. So they’re all in vodka now too. I’ve never used nettle seeds before but Kiva Rose is a big fan and I’m looking forward to getting to know another aspect of this amazing plant. nettle seed The Bilberry lady also gave us some Chanterelles and, yep you guessed it, they’re now in vodka. Again, I’m not holding out much hope because of the cheap vodka but, you never know, it might be another surprise. I love this time of year when the hedgerows are so full of potential harvests. If only the rain would stop I could get out and find some more goodies…

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Inspiration

Friday 14th November, 2008 in I went for a walk and I saw... by hedgerowhippy | 4 comments

                        You’d think that, being a student of herbal medicine, I’d have regular opportunities to be out enjoying nature; recharging the batteries and learning at the same time. its-all-about-the-booksWell, you’d be wrong. Once term starts that it! Research proposals to be handed in, clinical medicine to revise, patient notes to write up… it’s all about the books. A couple of weeks ago, however, after a particularly long and intense day in clinic, our tutor gave us the best “homework” ever. He told us to go home, make brief notes on the cases seen today and then go for a walk and “remind yourself why you want to be a Herbalist”. So I took him at his word.

                        It was a bright clear day thankfully but, to be honest, I’d have gone out in the rain. First stop was the Woodruff patch.woodruff Still there – nobody’s trampled it up, dug it over or dumped an old fridge on it. I picked a few sprigs to take home (just because I love that sweet grassy smell it gives off as it dries) and took the path along the southern edge of the woods, as it was chilly in the shade. I’ve been walking these woods for over eight years now but there’s always something different about them. I suppose that makes sense because it’s always a different combination of season, time of day, weather, mood… Plenty of squirrels about today and a few jittery pigeons (not surprising they were on edge – I could hear shotguns in the distance).

                        I finally reached the old railway track and headed for the Rosehips as I wanted to make some Rosehip syrup. I wasn’t sure if they’d still be good or if the wildlife and the frosts would have got them but there were plenty of healthy, bright red patches to choose from. hawsThe haws were super abundant too and all the more striking as many of the bushes had lost their leaves. These were also on my shopping list as I wanted to make some Hawthorn vinegar. The smaller redder ones were easier to pick than the fatter, more purpley ones which had bigger thorns. The deal was, I could pick until I got pricked then I had to move on. It only happened twice though and from the big dark ones – they’re not so friendly.

                        When I felt I had enough, I headed further along the track to check on the Mullein. The yellow spires of Summer were all brown and dry but a gust of wind revealed a rattle which told me that they were still full of seed. I shook a few into the bag to scatter on my “wildings” pot at home. I probably should be more organised about sowing seeds but we’ll see if they come up. The first year rosettes were also doing well, all snug and woolly, settling in for Winter. I’m really looking forward to seeing them come up next year; it’s been great to see them growing from the start.

                        One last harvest before heading home; raspberry leaves. I had been wondering, at the end of Summer, which were the right leaves to pick. After the berries, the plant puts up new canes and I didn’t know whether to pick the leaves from these or from the canes which had just fruited.harvest None of the books were clear on this. Anyway, the old canes had died back now so I started picking the new leaves. Then the answer made itself quite clear. I realised that, by picking the leaves from next year’s fruiting canes, I was robbing the plant of the ability to make the energy required to produce the fruit. Better then, to harvest the leaves after they’ve done their job for the plant. Also, as a friend had pointed out, the tannins will be higher in the older leaf and that’s what gives it astringency.

                        The wind had dropped and the sun wassunny-path warm on my face. I felt rested, grounded, connected. For me, it’s always been about the plants; that’s where my interest in Herbalism comes from. It’s funny; I don’t really know why I want to be a Herbalist. But I know that I do. It took me long enough to find my path; 15 years of doing a bit of this, a bit of that; and now that I’m here I just know that it’s right. It’s something I want to do every day. From the plant, to the medicine, to the patient, there’s a creativity, a connection, that stimulates and motivates me. Who knows where my path will take me. There are so many possibilities and ideas to explore. But one thing I absolutely know now – wherever it takes me, I’ll always be a Herbalist at heart.

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Last Days of Summer

Saturday 27th September, 2008 in I went for a walk and I saw..., camping by hedgerowhippy | No comments

                        Last weekend we finally got round to taking a well-earned break before going back to Uni. We didn’t go far, just to a small campsite in Fife, but wow did we get the weather for it! From the minute we arrived the overcast sky began clearing and each day just got better than the last, culminating in a perfect blue sky for Monday’s Equinox. We arrived late in the afternoon on Saturday and by the time we got the camp set up there wasn’t much opportunity for a good look around. That said, I was (sometimes literally) tripping over herbs whilst pitching the tent. Our pitch was called Catkin and the entrance was a pathway through some young Birch trees with our area marked out by a low hedge of Brambles, some of which were making a bid for freedom onto the grassy path. Getting down on the grass to pitch the tent soon showed us why the site was called Strawberry Fields; it was covered with Wild Strawberry plants, but sadly with no actual berries on them. It also had a healthy proportion of Plantain, as all good grassy areas should, in my opinion. As the sun set on our first night another herb which caught my eye was Lady’s Mantle. Most of it had long since finished flowering, as has mine at home, but there was one small fresh patch still with those tiny yellow flowers shining out amongst the seedheads in the field – Summer hadn’t quite gone yet. 

                        Walking round the site next morning it seemed the birds had had the best of the Elderberries. Fair play really and I wasn’t harvesting anyway because I only had a camp kitchen so processing was out of the question. The hedges were heavy with Haws though as well as Rosehips which just shone out against the dark woodland backdrop as the sun lit them up. The clearings in the woodland were teeming with wild herbs but the one which interested me this time was Horsetail. I enthused about its virtues to much polite nodding but when I mentioned the silica content and its ability to polish pewter he got interested. I was informed that this is because silica is higher up the Mohs hardness scale than pewter. The conversation then veered off onto diamonds and iron and cleavage planes… We did, however, take some back to camp with us (Horsetail not diamonds). As predicted it didn’t make a dent in the stainless steel pots but it did a splendid job of scouring the food off them; a handy herbal camping tip. I also found some Meadowsweet under the Birches which I made a tea from in an attempt to shift a thumping headache on Monday morning. It had gone to seed but I threw some leaves into my morning tea which then tasted of Disprin – bleuch!! I drank it anyway but it didn’t really help. Several litres of water and a fried breakfast also failed mind you so the only real solution would probably have to been to NOT have drunk all that wine on Sunday night!   

                        Sadly I don’t have that many pictures for this post. So, instead I’ll just share my Equinox Sunset and the First Sunrise of Autumn…

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Backpack

Monday 1st September, 2008 in I went for a walk and I saw... by hedgerowhippy | No comments

So, I’ve been toying with the idea of doing a blog for a while now. I said I’d start it when my exams finished in May but, wow, what happened to June and July and, well, August just flooded past!

Summer has been hectic since the exams finished with very few opportunities for herbal adventures and even less opportunity to write about them. My Herbal forays are always accompanied by my camera and tend to take the form of “I went for a walk and I saw…” but, this Summer, each walk has identified a need for a new item in my backpack of tricks.

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

On my first trip out I decided to head down to the old railway track to the patch of Mullein I had found last year. I had been too late for flowers but had collected seed and made a mental note to go back earlier this time. I couldn’t quite remember where I had seen it but the dry seed heads from last year stood out against the green.   With my eye now tuned in, I quickly spotted the tall fuzzy spires all around and a closer inspection uncovered the first year rosettes nestled in the grass.

So, I had my plant, I had my pictures, now to collect the flowers. Oh dear… What had I forgotten? I had nothing to put them in! A rummage through my pockets produced nothing useful and so, frustrated, I walked past spire after spire of delicate little yellow blossoms.

Woundwort (Stachys sylvatica)

My spirits lifted a little when I spotted this chirpy little chappy. I took several pictures to help me decide what it was when I got home to my flora. Unfortunately, being of the family he is, it wasn’t so easy to decide. I really needed the plant in front of me or, indeed, the flora with me when I saw the plant. I love my Francis Rose and find it very easy to use but, without the ability to look at the plant close up, working from pictures is guesswork. And so, my wee backpack of tricks expanded to include:

And with a little help from the lovely herbal community at www.herbwifery.org and a repeat visit, I finally identified it as Hedge Woundwort.

Eyebright (Euphrasia spp.)

On that previous walk, I had also been taken with this tiny beauty. I had taken pictures but, after the Woundwort episode, I had resolved to take my full kit out and ID it in the wild. And so, I settled down on the track with my flora and my loup and…

Fantastic! Result! Its Eyebright! And theres tonnes and tonnes of it. So, I’ve got a positive ID, I’ve got a collectable herb  and I’ve got containers for collecting. Let’s get to work. Oh dear…

I’m not entirely sure what I’m supposed to be harvesting. It’s a plant I’ve become more aware of recently as a friend had asked me about it so I had done a bit of background reading. However, I hadn’t really registered which parts were used. I would have instinctively said aerial parts but I was in no way sure. It would be criminal, I thought, to take a batch home only to discover it was the wrong part. What to do? After some “should I, shouldn’t I” contemplation, I hit on an idea. I fired off a text to some fellow students in the hope they had a herbal nearby or knew, for sure, which parts to collect. So I sat on a sunny bank of the old railway track for half an hour or so chatting with a few folk in Edinburgh via text and snipping a little harvest of Eyebright. I was in my element in amongst the weeds with a Flora and no Herbal but you live and learn and my wee backpack of tricks had recruited a new member.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

From the car, I had been spotting a lot of Yarrow on verges and so, confident that I was fully tooled up, I set out on my bike to collect some from less well trodden tracks. After an initial disappointment when a previously identified patch had been trodden through by cattle (not so less-well-trodden after all!), I had one of those real guiding moments. You know when you see a hint of a path somewhere and you just want to follow it to see where it goes? Well, having come back down a path I’ve tramped many a time before, swithering where to go next, one such half-hinted-at path caught my eye. Curious, I followed it up the bank…

A carpet of red clover opened up before me. It was a real wow moment but, given the recent wet weather, these little ground huggers were still too damp to contemplate picking. But what was that over by the fence? Yarrow! And not that low leafy stuff of roadsides and lawns. No, these were tall, proud, fully flowering stands of the stuff. This was exactly what I had been looking for but, as I set about collecting, I realised I had a problem. The tubs I had in my bag for collecting were no way going to be big enough. I was reluctant to leave now I had found it as, what with one thing and another, by the time I had got back to the Mullein I had missed the flowers again. Luckily, I had thrown my handbag into the rucksack before I left and, by decanting the contents, I had an ideal cotton bag to take the Yarrow home in.

A Hedgerow Hippy’s wee backpack of tricks

So is my backpack complete? At the moment I certainly think so but no doubt some future ramble with highlight another glaring omission. For now it consists of:

…and I’m just away to sew some simple cotton bags for collecting which, inspired by some fab advice from Sarah Head on the Herb Society forum, I will also use at home, to hang the herbs up to dry in the dark.

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