Materials of Medicine

Start learning herbs with the 30 most useful!!!

Selection by
Dr. Steve Doughty

Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)

Alkaloid, bitter, flavonoids, tannins, volatile oil

Astringent, antiseptic, diaphoretic, hypotensive, styptic

Achillea is best known for its diaphoretic action. It can reduce profound fevers. It is indicated for use in conditions where the fever or illness is causing congestion or stagnation and where the patient is restless. It is astringent and cleansing and cooling in its action. It is commonly combined with Sambucus, Eupatorium or Euphrasia. It is also indicated for use when fever or illness leads to bleeding.

Achillea was named for Achilles. It was said to be used to stop the bleeding in the wound caused by the arrow in his heel. It also is antiseptic to mucous membranes, so is often added to douches or washes when inflammation and bleeding are present. As it is tonifying to the mucous membranes, so is often added to any formula for treatment of the upper and lower respiratory, gastrointestinal and genito-urinary tracts.

It causes dilation of the peripheral vasculature, so is often added to anti-hypertensive formulas. Historically, it is especially indicated for treatment of thrombophlebitis or thrombus associated with hypertension. For hypertension, it is commonly combined with Tilia, Crataegus, Leonurus or Viscum.

It is also a good addition to a bitters formula for normalization of the digestive processes. It is used to treat hypochlorhydria, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and also to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease. It has both a stimulating effect on the flow of digestive enzymes, and also an antiseptic and astringent effect on the mucous membranes themselves.

Achillea is used somewhat like Arnica to treat cuts and bruises. However, where you would not use Arnica on an open wound, Achillea is one of the best choices for treatment. A cut or bruise or a blood blister will heal well and quickly. It is a common addition to suppositories to treatment of hemorrhoids. It is also indicated for epistaxis. Some of the older herbal literature indicated the use of the root for profuse bleeding, rather than the leaves and flower.

On an energetic level, Achillea is said to be useful for psychic protection. It is also thought to increase mentation when dulled after an illness. It is the remedy attributed to the wounded healer, it will strengthen those who are so sensitive to others and to their environment that they cannot heal.

Toxicity: None known
Pharmacy:

Infusion: 1 Tbl/cup H2O 3 – 10 X daily

Tincture (1:5): 2-4 ml TID

Fluid Extract (1:1): 1-3 ml TID

Allium sativum (Garlic)

Enzymes (allinase, peroxidase, myrosinase), mineral (Selenium & lither trace minerals), protein, saponins, sulfoxides (alliin), thiocyanates, vitamins (A, thiamine, nicotinamide, C, choline, iodine)¹ and volatile oils

Anti-coagulant, anti-dyspeptic, anti-hypertensive, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, carminative, counter-irritant, diaphoretic, digestant, emmenagogue, expectorant

Warming, stimulating, drying

Alliin is exposed to alliinase after crushing and exposure to outside air and converts to allicin. The volatile oils yield 60% allicin after exposure to allinase² . Allicin is readily absorbed into the blood stream and eliminated through the lungs and skin dependent on the amount absorbed.

Garlic has long been used as an anti-microbial and stimulant of the digestive system. It has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, an-fungal and anti-parasitic effect. It has its effects beginning as a bitter to stimulate release of HCl and pancreatic enzymes and is a mild choleretic. It has been shown in studies (Murray) to decrease the formation of nitrosamines. It has been used to treat dysentery due to amoebas and bacilli. It also has been used to treat the residual irritable bowel syndrome that can occur after a dysenteric infection. This is probably due to both its antiseptic and carminative properties. It can reduce the production of gas in the small and large intestines and has been used to treat both spastic and atonic imbalance. For the spastic conditions lower doses are used and the atonic conditions require higher dosing. This action seems to be due to a parasympathomimetic action caused by the garlic. Garlic has long been used as part of detoxification protocols. The Chinese use it as a general tonic for elderly or debilitated patients.

Garlic has exhibited hypolipidemic effects. It both decreases the levels of cholesterol and inhibits elevation of cholesterol when high fat foods are eaten.

Garlic has been used to treat atherosclerosis. It reduces cholesterol levels, increases fibrinolytic activity (studies show 95 – 130%) and reduces thrombocyte aggregation. There are conflicting studies regarding the anti-hypertensive effects of garlic. Fresh garlic seems to have an anti-hypertensive effect while dried compounds do not. It is effective in resolving intermittent claudication and arteriosclerotic retinopathy angina. To treat these conditions garlic must be taken for at least three months.

Garlic has been used to enhance the function of insulin so is indicated for use in patients with Diabetes mellitus.

It has also been show to prevent lead poisoning and assist the body in the detoxification of lead. The eclectics used garlic as a mucolytic and expectorant for the EENT and Pulmonary systems. It was often used topically to treat bladder paralysis and as a counter-irritant on the feet to alleviate “cerebral excitation” (Cook)³

Discontinue use 2-10 days before surgery, depending on regular dose. Do not use in high dose with patients on anti-coagulant medication. Regular dietary ingestion is not contraindicated.

Enema: one clove chopped, boiled for 10 minutes in ¼ liter water or milk and retained. No more than one time per week.

Vinegar – 8 cloves in 10 – 16 oz. Vinegar