Millefolium

Millefolium.

Achillea millefolium. Yarrow. N. O. Compositae. Tincture of whole fresh plant.

Asthma. Cancer. Chlorosis. Consumption. Dentition. Diarrhoea. Dysmenorrhoea. Enuresis. Epilepsy. Fistula lachrymalis. Haematemesis. Haematuria. Haemoptysis. Haemorrhages. Hypochondriasis. Hysteria. Leucorrhoea of children. Lochia, too profuse; suppressed. Milk, absence of. Nipples, sore. Nose, bleeding of. Puerperal convulsions. Puerperal fever. Rodent ulcer. Sterility. Sycosis Hahnemanni. Tetanus. Varices.

Yarrow was named Achillea by Linnaeus because the plant is mentioned in the Iliad as having been used by Achilles, on the instruction of Chiron, to heal the wounds of his soldiers. The knowledge of the vulnerary powers of Mill. is thus of great antiquity. It received its popular name, "Nose-bleed," because nose-bleed comes on if the leaves are inserted into the nostrils. There is another species of Achillea, besides A. millefolium, indigenous to Great Britain, A. ptarmica, called "sneeze-wort" from its sternutatory properties.

Millefol. in its haemorrhages and vulnerary action is closely allied to Arn., and it has another action common to many Compositae, that of a convulsant. But this action is again allied to its haemorrhagic power, for it is chiefly (but not exclusively) in relation to suppressed haemorrhages (menses) or other secretions as the lochia or milk that the convulsions occur. The haemorrhages are chiefly florid. As well as haemorrhages, there are copious mucous discharges, especially when these are due to atony.

Mill. has a very pronounced relation to pregnancy and the puerperal state. Varicose veins in pregnant women have been cured with it. C. W.

(H. W., xxvi. 108) relates an interesting experience. A man had severe diarrhoea, profuse dark chocolate-coloured stools, verging on black, and slightly tinged with blood. A club doctor had failed to relieve, but an old woman cured the man with "millefoil tea." C.

W. had a collie dog which, when excited, would pull up grass or weeds and swallow them. When it happened to be millefoil this invariably caused: First, rattling of fluid in the bowels, then dark chocolate diarrhoea, changing to black, very offensive, finally blood-tinged. This lasted a day or two. It was at length found that Ars. iod. 3x in solution was a complete antidote.

Given every ten minutes, as soon as rattling came on, it effectually stopped it. The dog also had fissured pads. Ars. iod. did nothing for these, but Ars. 30 cured. Peculiar sensations are: As if he had forgotten something.

As if all blood ascended to head. Right side of head as if screwed together. As if too much blood in eyes. As if cold air passing out of ear.

As of a liquid moving from stomach to intestines. Pain as from a blow or sprain in right tendo Achillis. Mill. is suited to all wounds which bleed profusely, sprains, and overlifting. The symptoms are < by stooping;

< doubling the body (burning in stomach); < much exertion; < by lifting. Lying down > nausea;

< haemoptysis. Violent exercise > vertigo. Symptoms < by coffee, > by wine. Mill. is suited to the aged; atonic; women and children.

Ant. t. relieves the vertigo of Mill., Ars. i. the diarrhoea. Mill. Antidotes: Arum mac. Incompatible: Coffee (= congestion to head). Compare: Erech. (epistaxis and haemoptysis); Senec. aur. (haematuria). Ham. and Ipec. (haemorrhages); Plat. (Mill. red, clotted; Plat. dark, clotted); Bry., Ustil., and Ham. (haematemesis) Aco. (haemorrhages, profuse flow of bright red blood—Aco., anxiety; Mill., absence of anxiety). The Compositae generally, Arn., Bellis, Calend., &c.

Falls (from height). Over-exertion. Lifting. Suppressed lochia. Suppressed menses. Suppressed milk.

Sensation of stoppage in ears.

Tongue swollen and coated.—Thirst; mouth dry.

Oppression of chest, with bloody expectoration.

Pricking and numbness of l. arm.—Heat of hands.

Rheumatic and arthritic complaints.—Piercing, drawing, tearing pains in limbs.—Paralysis and contraction of limbs.—Tetanus.—Convulsions after parturition.—Convulsions and fainting attacks of infants.—Hysterical spasms.—Epileptic spasms from suppressed menstruation.—Congestions.—Haemorrhages from various organs.—Haemorrhages from almost all the openings of body.—Mucous discharges from atony.—Wounds bleed profusely, esp. from a fall.—Effects of over-lifting or overexertion.—< In evening and night; > during day.

Violent yawning without being tired.—Goes to sleep late, and does not feel refreshed in morning.