A medicinal tincture (H.) is prepared from the whole plant
A medicinal tincture (H.) is prepared from the whole plant with spirit of wine. This, when employed in a diluted form of the first or third decimal strength, and [618] in small doses of from five to ten drops in a tablespoonful of cold water, will act admirably in arresting nocturnal losses in the male; likewise bleeding from the lungs, the kidneys, or the nose, especially in florid, hectic subjects. It has been found by healthy provers that stronger, and larger doses of any preparation of the herb will induce or aggravate one or another of these bleedings.
The fresh juice of the plant may be had, a dessert-spoonful three times in the day; or of the volatile essential oil, from three to five drops for a dose. These medicines greatly stimulate and promote the appetite. “For ague,” says Parkinson, “drink a decoction of the herb warm before the fit, and so for two or three fits together.”
Externally, a strong decoction of the leaves has been used as an injection into the nostrils to stay bleeding from the nose. It is similarly of service for piles, and for female floodings, because exerting a special local action on the organs within the middle trunk. The bruised herb, or an ointment made from it, is applied by rustics to heal fresh cuts and contusions.
Even in ancient times it was famous as a topical remedy for piles. It is further of benefit for sore nipples as a lotion, and for a relaxed sore throat as a gargle: also as a hair wash.
The leaves were applied in former days as a poultice to wounds; and because of its healing and astringent virtues when so used, the plant gained the names Sanguinary, Thousand leaf, Old Man’s pepper, Soldiers’ Woundwort. Other local names for it are Staunch grass, Carpenters’ weed, and Bloodwort: also, “Old Man’s Mustard,” “Bad Man’s Plaything,” and “Devil’s Plaything.” In Gloucestershire and some other parts, the double-flowered Yarrow is brought to a wedding by [619] bridesmaids as “seven years’ love.” In Cheshire, children draw the herb across the face to produce a tingling sensation, and they call it “Devil’s nettle.”
Culpeper spoke of the same as a profitable herb in cramps, and therefore called _Militaris_.
Yarrow, worn in a little bag over the stomach, was the secret (confided to Boyle) of a great lord against ague. A famous physician had used it with strange efficacy.
Similarly a charmed packet containing dried Yarrow has been credited with bringing success to its bearer, if at the same time he were admitted to the knowledge of a traditional secret (only whispered to the initiated) that this was the first herb our Saviour had put into His hand when a child.
Again, Elspeth Reoch, in 1616, when tried for witchcraft, acknowledged to having employed the Yarrow in her incantations. She “plucked one herbe called Meleflower, sitting on her right knee, and pulling it betwixt the mid-finger and thumbe, and saying: _In nominee Patris, Filii, et Spiritus Sancti_.” The Meleflower is the _Achilloea Ptarmica_ or Sneezewort.
By the plant so gathered, she was enabled to cure distempers, and to impart the faculty of prediction.
