What is yarrow?
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a perennial plant from the Asteraceae family. It has finely pinnate leaves and white or pink flowers that are arranged in flat umbels. The plant grows to a height of around 30 to 80 cm and flowers from June to October. It is found in Europe, Asia and North America and grows on roadsides, meadows and dry locations.
Yarrow contains many different ingredients that give it healing properties. These include essential oils, flavonoids, tannins, bitter substances and alkaloids. Yarrow has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antispasmodic, hemostatic, analgesic and digestive properties.
How can yarrow help your dog?
Yarrow can be used to treat various ailments in your dog. For example, it can help with
- Wounds: Yarrow promotes wound healing and prevents infections. You can apply fresh or dried flowers to the wound or make a poultice with yarrow tea.
- Gastrointestinal problems: Yarrow stimulates digestion and relieves cramps, flatulence and diarrhea. You can add yarrow tea or tincture to your dog's drinking water or mix a few leaves into their food.
- Skin problems: Yarrow relieves itching, eczema, allergies and skin rashes. You can give your dog a bath with yarrow tea or apply an ointment made from yarrow oil.
- Respiratory problems: Yarrow loosens mucus, calms the urge to cough and strengthens the immune system. You can add yarrow tea or tincture to your dog's drinking water or put a few drops of essential oil in a fragrance lamp.
What should you look out for when using yarrow?
Yarrow is a very versatile plant that can bring many benefits to your dog. However, there are also some disadvantages and side effects that you need to be aware of. For example:
- Yarrow can cause allergic reactions, especially in dogs with sensitive skin or a tendency to hay fever. Watch out for signs such as redness, swelling or itching and discontinue use if you notice them.
- Yarrow can affect blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Therefore, avoid using it on dogs with blood clotting disorders or before an operation.
- Yarrow can strengthen or weaken the effect of medication. Therefore, always consult your vet before using yarrow if your dog is taking other medication.
- Yarrow can cause liver damage if used excessively. Therefore, always adhere to the recommended dosages and duration of use.