The Herbal Horse June 2007 - Issue Seven

Latin and Yarrow – by Jessica Lane
We have the herbalist Linnaeus to thank for the system of plant classification in Latin – in his day it was the universal language between all European countries and Latin remains the standard for naming all new discoveries in all the sciences.

In this series, focusing on individual herbs, I will be presenting them alphabetically using the Latin names.  This is for the sake of clarity.   Latin nomenclature is the most reliable manner of ensuring positive identification of plant material - all too often common names for plants are generated at the local level; plants are called after their appearance, origin, traditional usage, etc.  It is not unusual to find the same common name being applied to completely different plants and any given plant often has more than one common name in use in different locales.  When purchasing or evaluating herbal products, referring to Latin ensures that selections can be made with confidence that you are getting the right plant.  It is just as easy to learn the Latin name for plants as it is the common names – I will use both interchangeably within the body of the text.

Most product manufacturers will use a combination of the Latin and common names in product branding.  If Latin is not in the product name then it can usually be found in the list of contents.  It is extremely rare to find a product that does not reference the Latin name somewhere in the product material.

I have often reflected on another advantage of using Latin - it is far easier for manufacturers to sell a product with an exotic list of ingredients for a higher price than it is to sell a product whose ingredients might be recognized and perceived as nothing more than common backyard “weeds”.   Consider the following lists - 1) dandelion, chickweed, burdock, plantain and thistle 2) Taraxicum officinalis, Stellaria media, Arctium lappa, Plantago spp.and Silybum marianus. The second list is more impressive than the first but says exactly the same thing.

If you are serious about the study of herbs then learning the Latin names is a necessity. It is very helpful in identifying the many different herbal products that originate in China, South America and India.  The demand for access to plants such as Astragalus or Siberian Ginseng is a potent driving force for the industry and a savvy consumer will find using the Latin names to be of immense benefit in sorting through the bewildering array of herbal choices. Many foreign herbs lack North American common names simply due to lack of familiarity, almost forcing the use of Latin by the exporting manufacturer.

Having access to so many international herbal products greatly expands the number of choices when treating your horse with herbal products.  An Endurance formula I developed over 15 years ago is mostly composed of herbs from China and at the time I found it challenging to consistently find them through bulk supply.  In today’s market most supply houses carry a wide selection of international herbs giving the horse owner access to many different plant remedies traditionally used by other cultures for animal husbandry.  It is truly wonderful to have access to such a wide selection of plant materials for the health of the herbal horse.  Our herbal series includes many plants from overseas and I hope that you have the opportunity to use them for the benefit of your beloved animal companions.

ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM – Yarrow, Soldier’s Woundwort, Milfoil, Nosebleed

A member of the composite family Achillia, it inhabits temperate regions worldwide. It is found in a wide range of habitats - pastures, meadows, along roadsides, vacant lots – and flowers from May to October.  The flowers are mostly white, occasionally pink, borne in a flat-topped cluster as large as 1 foot across.  The leaves are alternate, 1-6 inches long, finely segmented and slightly wooly.  The plant is very aromatic and its biochemical constituents are tannic and achilleic acid, essential oil, cineol, proazulene, and a bitter principle, achilleine.

Achillia, more commonly known as Yarrow was named after Achilles, the legendary general who carried it with him on military campaigns to heal both soldiers and horses. He writes of using it to take away redness in the eyes by using the juice – evidence of its strong astringent nature. Yarrow is a multifunctional herb – it has several different actions because of its varied constituents. Yarrow has styptic, anti-hemorrhagic, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, carminative and stomachic (see Glossary for terminology) properties.

Yarrow is most famous for its anti-hemorrhagic action – it stops the flow of blood. This property makes yarrow a valuable remedy for wounds and urinary tract infections where bleeding is present, though be aware that blood in the urine could indicate kidney problems or bladder stones.  Yarrow has been used with some success in treating “bleeders”, horses with pulmonary damage that bleed from the lungs when under too much stress (i.e. pushed too hard when racing).  Yarrow helps arrest the bleeding due to the hypotensive action of its alkaloids and the astringent action of tannins.  I find that it works best for bleeders when combined with comfrey and plantain, nettle, agrimony, shepherds purse, cranesbill, dandelion and parsley.   Yarrow combined with agrimony, shepherds purse and cranesbill can effectively stop almost any other kind of internal bleeding.  As these formulas are a bit more complex, it is best to consult an experienced herbalist for a “bleeder”.  In my experience, “bleeders” usually have a variety of issues that contribute to or cause the bleeding.  A thorough investigation of nutrition, condition, stresses, underlying imbalances, all need to be addressed to successfully treat a “bleeder”.

While racing Standardbred horses I found that many trainers use an herbal product from China called Yunnan Poiyoa – it is in powder form and also contains a little red pill that is given immediately when the horse begins bleeding.  The powder is mixed with liquid and given internally as soon as possible.  It is quite effective and can be found in most health food stores. Its listed ingredients include several mentioned in my list above.

I once cut myself quite badly while wild-crafting herbs.  I was using a razor sharp harvesting knife and sliced deeply into my index finger.  The blood flow was extreme, flowing quickly and freely. Yarrow was growing nearby and I quickly plucked some leaves, crushed them and wrapped them firmly around the wounded finger – within a minute the generous flow of blood had slowed and within a couple of minutes had stopped completely.  The cut being very deep and long would normally have required several stitches to close it.  Thanks to the quick acting yarrow I have barely a faint scar to show for that bloody afternoon.  Yarrow can be used on any bleeding cut, its anti-viral and antiseptic properties making it a perfect herb for wounds.  You can gather some fresh, dry it and pulverize it to powder and keep it handy in your tack box – ready in an emergency if your horse has an encounter with some wire out in the field.

Yarrow works well for acute inflammatory conditions, liver problems and high fevers.  A high fever in a horse is always cause for concern, so seek veterinary assistance when you are not sure what is causing the fever.  

Yarrow induces sweating when given warm; the hotter the tea, the more profuse the sweat.  It also dilates the blood vessels in the skin and the dilation allows heat to escape the body thereby reducing the fever.   The tea is made with both flowers and leaves – the flowers being the preferred plant part for inducing the sweat.  Allow to steep for ten minutes, strain and cool to comfort before giving 2 cups to 1 quart depending on the size of your horse.  Note that when yarrow is given cold, it acts as diuretic instead. Yarrow is a stimulating diaphoretic and can be taken with other stimulating diaphoretic plants such as elder flowers, blessed thistle, ginger, or boneset (these herbs will be covered in later articles).  It will also help to reduce acute catarrh (mucus) of the respiratory tract.

For horses with arthritic conditions, yarrow is used as a circulatory stimulant; by stimulating circulation it clears toxins from the blood, removes the waste by-products of inflammation and supplies fresh blood to the area thus assisting healing.  It is anti-inflammatory and eases pain. Yarrow is particularly effective when combined with other anti-inflammatory and circulatory herbs such as nettle, meadowsweet, hawthorn and prickly ash.  It can be given internally or used as a poultice on swollen joints.  Use the same care as you would with any other poultice, especially if adding plants that induce heat in the skin.

I value Yarrow in tonic formulas and endurance blends for its ability to build the blood.  Though its iron content is not very high it helps to stimulate bone marrow production.  Yarrow makes a fine appetite stimulant, increases the production of gastric juices and assists in digestion.  Nutritionally it has high levels of chromium and contains calcium, carbohydrates, cobalt, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, sodium, tin and is particularly rich in vitamins B1 and C. It has modest amounts of iron, niacin, vitamin A, B2 and zinc.

Yarrow is truly a versatile herb; its many different applications make it a valuable component of the herbalist’s repertoire.

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