Now, yarrow is a terrific “dog and pony show." It's actions as an almost instantaneous coagulant and anti-infective are dramatic. Its botanical name is for Achilles, who used it to heal wounded soldiers on the battlefield. It can heal a bleeding wound in minutes.
After the tech withdrew the needle, I crushed my plants into a small poultice and put them on the puncture that was welling up with blood. I explained that the herbs I was using would stop bleeding almost instantly, prevent infection, and close and heal the would before I left the office. All these scientific laboratory types were standing there gaping. The chief lab tech said that he had yarrow in his garden, but never knew it had medicinal properties. (Snake oil anyone?) Of course, in five minutes when I removed the herbs, all that they could see was a tiny pink spot on my skin.
Suitably impressed, they all wanted to know which herbs they could use for various conditions, what books were good to read, and where could they find the herbs. One woman said that I would put the doctors out of business, but I replied that I was only after the pharmaceutical companies. If everyone knew about yarrow, Johnson & Johnson would be in deep doo-doo. I left them with the rest of my cup of herbs and a list of books. I'm a triple Leo (have I told you that I was a triple Leo?) and love putting on a show, so that pretty much made my day.