YARROW. 433 



immediately distinguished from either of them, by its very 

 compound leaves. 



General Uses. — Linnaeus * observes, that the Dalecarnians are accus- 

 tomed to infuse the leaves and flowers of this plant in beer, while in a 

 state of fermentation, with a view to increase its intoxicating effects. It is 

 also said to be used for this purpose in some parts of Africa. Batsch em- 

 ployed it in tanning. It is eaten by sheep and swine, but is not relished 

 by horses, cows, or goats. 



Qualities. — The leaves have a weak fragrant smell, and a bitterish, 

 astringent taste. The flowers, rubbed between the fingers, have a stronger, 

 more aromatic odour, and a bitterish, warm, somewhat pungent taste. 

 The subterranean shoots of the root have also a pungent, rather pleasant 

 flavour. The watery infusion of the flowering tops has a yellowish colour, 

 which is blackened by sulphate of iron. The flowers yield by distillation 

 an essential oil, on which their odour depends. This oil resembles that of 

 chamomile, and is of a blueish, green, or yellowish colour, according to the 

 soil in which the plant grows f. The watery extract is simply bitter and 

 austere ; while the spirituous extract has a warm, penetrating, aromatic, 

 camphor-like odour, and very little bitterness or astringency. 



Medicinal Properties and Uses. — This plant is considered 

 by some so be the SrgaTiOT*}? x 1 ^ 10 ^^ " OI " the Greek writers ; 

 much commended by them as a styptic and vulnerary, and as 

 an astringent in haemorrhagic complaints. They ascribed its 

 discovery to Achilles, and pretended that by means of it he 

 healed the wounds of his companions in arms. In later times, 

 its reputation as a styptic and astringent has been revived by 

 Stahl J, Hoffmann §, Buchwald ||, and Chomel % who severally 

 recommend it in haemorrhages from the stomach, lungs, and 

 uterus, and in dysentery. Moreover, in consequence of its 

 volatile principle, it has been lauded in colic, cardialgia, flatu- 

 lence, epilepsy, hypochondriasis, fluor albus **, &c. It has also 

 been called diuretic and anti-rheumatic. Hoffmann states that 

 a calculous affection was completely relieved by it ; and, ac- 

 cording to Gunner, it is much relied upon in Norway for the 



* Flora Suecica, p. 299. 

 f Lewis, Mat. Med. p. 424. 

 % De Specif, p. 33. 



§ Diss, de Millefolio rep. in Opusc. med. p. 341. 

 || Specimen Med. Pract. p. 179. 

 % Usuelles, torn. ii. p. 278. 

 *• Vide Murray, App. Med. i. p. 253. 

 vol. ii. o a 



