rs that stronger, and larger doses
of any preparation of the herb will induce or aggravate one or
another of these bleedings.

The fresh juice of the plant may be had, a dessert-spoonful three
times in the day; or of the volatile essential oil, from three to five
drops for a dose. These medicines greatly stimulate and promote the
appetite. "For ague," says Parkinson, "drink a decoction of the herb
warm before the fit, and so for two or three fits together."

Externally, a strong decoction of the leaves has been used as an
injection into the nostrils to stay bleeding from the nose. It is
similarly of service for piles, and for female floodings, because
exerting a special local action on the organs within the middle trunk.
The bruised herb, or an ointment made from it, is applied by rustics
to heal fresh cuts and contusions.

Even in ancient times it was famous as a topical remedy for piles. It
is further of benefit for sore nipples as a lotion, and for a relaxed
sore throat as a gargle: also as a hair wash.

The leaves were applied in former days as a poultice to wounds; and
because of its healing and astringent virtues when so used, the plant
gained the names Sanguinary, Thousand leaf, Old Man's pepper,
Soldiers' Woundwort. Other local names for it are Staunch grass,
Carpenters' weed, and Bloodwort: also, "Old Man's Mustard," "Bad
Man's Plaything," and "Devil's Plaything." In Gloucestershire and
some other parts, the double-flowered Yarrow is brought to a
wedding by [619] bridesmaids as "seven years' love." In Cheshire,
children draw the herb across the face to produce a tingling
sensation, and they call it "Devil's nettle."

Culpeper spoke of the same as a profitable herb in cramps, and
therefore called _Militaris_.

Yarrow, worn in a little bag over the stomach, was the secret
(confided to Boyle) of a great lord against ague. A famous physician
had used it with strange efficacy.

Similarly a charmed packet containing dried Yarrow has been
credited with bringing success to its bearer, if at the same time he
were admitted to the knowledge of a traditional secret (only
whispered to the initiated) that this was the first herb our Saviour
had put into His hand when a child.

Again, Elspeth Reoch, in 1616, when tried for witchcraft,
acknowledged to having employed the Yarrow in her incantations.
She "plucked one herbe called Meleflower, sitting on her right knee,
and pulling it betwixt the mid-finger and thumbe,