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Yarrow
Known in many herbals as "Cure-All" because that is what it seems to do. There are about 500 different varieties of yarrow worldwide. The wild variety is the most medicinal. Fun fact about the genus name Achillea, sounds a bit like Achilles because it was named for him, using it in battle to staunch his soldiers’ wounds.
Achillea millefolium
Family: Asteraceae– daisy
Parts used: leaves, flowers
What's in a Name - Achillia millefolium
Achillea - named for the Greek hero Achilles, who took the plant onto the battlefield to stop bleeding and heal the wounds of his soldiers.
millefolium -translates at thousand-leaved herb
"The thousand leaved herb of Achilles"
Common Name: Yarrow
Comes from the Saxon word gearwe, meaning "entirely" which could reference yarrow's ability to support the entire body.
Folk Names
Sneezeweed, Sneezings
Milfoil, Thousand –seal, Thousand leaf clover
Bloodwort
Nosebleed
Arrowroot
Stanchweed
Squirrel or chipmunk tail
Soldier’s woundwort
Old man’s mustard
Seven year’s love (see legend section for why)
History
Appears to have been with man since the beginning
Found in the oldest of burial grounds and in the herbals of each era of ancient civilization.
Ancient Asian saying states that “Wherever Yarrow grows, one need not fear wild beasts or poisonous plants.”
Supposedly the game of pick-up sticks was created using yarrow stems in Ancient China.
Greeks and Romans used it for bleeding. Dioscorides herbal includes it for wounds.
Used in the Dark Ages to protect against evil, divine the future, and other superstitions surrounding love and relations.
Ayurvedic use as a “heal all”.
Battle surgeons carried it around battle fields up through the Civil War.
16th and 17th Century Herbalists: John Gerard, John Parkinson, Nicholas Culpeper, all praised its used in their herbals.
46 Native American tribes used it for over 28 different ailments.
Alterative
Amphoteric
Analgesic
Antimicrobial
Antibacterial
Anti-Inflammatory
Antiseptic
Antispasmodic
Antiviral
Astringent
Bitter
Carminative
Cholagogue
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Emmenagogue
Febrifuge
Hemostatic
Hepatic
Hypotensive
Styptic
Vasodilator
Vulnerary
Energetics/Body Systems Affected
Cooling
Drying
Bitter
Circulatory
Digestive
Glandular
Liver
Respiratory
Skin
Urinary
Emotional Energy:
Balance emotional upsets
Strengthen intuition
Balance and strengthen during times of transition and change.
Constituents/Nutrients
Asparagin
Azulene
Chamazulene
Champor
Coumarins
Flavonoids
Linalool
Pinene
Proazulene
Salicylic acid
Sterols
Tannins
Thujone
Volatile oil
Uses
Decongest any area that is stagnant and inflamed.
Moves in the direction it is needed in the body.
Cleans, disinfects, promotes healing in wounds, cuts, and burns, etc.
Reduces redness, swelling and pain in bruises, blood blisters, sprains, strains, and other injuries.
Staunches bleeding and coagulates blood.
Nosebleed (tincture-soaked cotton ball, powder or fresh chewed or mashed, make into a nose plug and insert)
Skin eruptions such as boils, pimples, bug bites, blisters, allergic reactions, etc.
Hemorrhaging; intestinal, uterine, hemorrhoids.
Digestive problems and complaints including infection, spasms, gas, diarrhea, gut health.
Nausea and upset stomach
Fever (bath or foot soak is the most effective)
Cold, flu, earache, illness of all kinds.
Toothache, gum issues, mouth sores, etc. (chew on fresh leaves or use powder)
Respiratory and sinus issues; bronchitis, croup, cough, lung cleansing.
Hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and circulatory issues (take internally and externally with a poultice, compress or salve).
Stimulates circulation, helps blood cell regeneration, blood purifying, building and support.
PMS and menstrual cramps, regulates flow, aid for painful periods.
Childbirth; facilitates labor, aid in expelling afterbirth, stop excessive bleeding, healing aid.
Ease transition into menopause, hot flashes, etc.
Headache, muscle pain, cramping, pain relief, etc.
Joint pain and inflammation, rheumatism, gout.
Lowers blood pressure (most effective when used in combination with hawthorn).
Bladder problems including infection and cystitis, incontinence, water retention, etc.
Liver support; cleanses, tones and may also protect.
Stress, anxiety, and insomnia.
Measles and chicken pox.
Nerve regenerator (discovered by my own experience with a dying tooth nerve that was regenerated after using).
Skin cleanser and toner; acne and complexion problems, oily skin, hen used as an herbal steam yarrow will open pores and clean them out.
Hair care; cleanses and removes oily residue from hair, hair loss (apply externally to area of concern using an herbal infusion or herbal oil).
“Yarrow, when administered hot and copiously, will raise the heat of the body, equalize the circulation, and produce perspiration. It opens the pores freely by relaxing the skin, and it purifies the blood of toxins. Yarrow regulates the liver and the secretions of the entire alimentary canal; it tones the mucus membranes of the stomach and bowels, and it healing to the glandular system. Yarrow will never weaken a patient, because of its tonic action.”
-Dr. John Christopher
Tea
Poultice, compress, wash
Powder, sprinkle, capsules, pills
Extracts, liniment
Honey, syrup
Bath, foot soak, steam, gargle
Herbal oil, salve, ointment, cream
Yarrow is easily identified in the wild with its small fernlike leaves and flower topped white clusters. It can be found in dry to moist open places, woods, trails, and as a weed in lawns. It can also be found in the nursery as a cultivated plant, only use the white and pink varieties.
Transplant or propagate with root divisions in spring or fall, space 12" apart.
Provide low to moderate amounts of water and plant in full sun. Yarrow will grow in any type of soil condition and especially likes it dry.
Harvest the leaves and flowers in mid to late summer when in full flower.
Yarrow is a great compost plant and will speed decomposition, especially if mixed with comfrey, nettles and dandelion.
Yarrow in the Garden
When grown next to other plants, helps them resist disease through root secretion.
Repels beetles, ants, and flies.
Helps accelerate decomposition of compost.
Strong tea can be use as a fungicide and fertilizer.
Yarrow Liquid Fertilizer:
Fill a container with chopped leaves and stems.
Add water to cover.
Let it sit for a week, with a breathable cover, then strain.
Use 10-1 with water and pour at roots in garden and house plants.
Safety
Yarrow can be a uterine stimulant, so it is best to avoid taking internally during pregnancy. However it is wonderful to use during labor and childbirth. Always check this herb for allergic reaction if you have an allergy to the ragweed family.
Symbolism
Cure for broken heart
War and healing
Good luck
Used to convey "get well" according to Language of Flowers
Myths and Legends
In Greek mythology, Chiron, the centaur mentor taught Achilles the healing properties of yarrow to use on the battlefield to stop bleeding and heal wounds. Another legend says when Achilles scraped the rust from his spear, it grew into yarrow which he used to cure the wounded.
Bridesmaids wear it to church hoping to marry within seven years.
Put into sachets and carried about the person was said to attract friends and distant relations and ensure that love will last for seven years.
Believed to drive away ghosts, witches and demons, averting all evil. Hung above infant’s cradles to stop its soul being stolen.
Poetry/Literature/Art
Yarrow Identification & Images
Botany in a Day, p. 169
Peterson Field Guides: Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, p. 86
Floriography, p. 180
North American Wild Flowers, p.274
Essential Herbal Wisdom by Nancy Arrowsmith, p.287
The Complete Medicinal Herbal by Penelope Ody, p. 30
The Herbal Academy: Botany & Wildcrafting Course, p.80
The Herbal Academy: Recipes Monographs: Intermediate Herbal Course
Homegrown Herbs by Tammi Hartung, p. 238
Breverton’s Complete Herbal, p. 374
Backyard Medicine (quotes from old herbals and recipes, with dosages), p. 192
Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide, p. 213
Mountain States Medicinal Plants by Briana Wiles, p. 271
Healing Plants of the Rocky Mountains, p. 156
A Kid’s Herb Book by Lesley Tierra, p. 173
Practical Herbalism (full list of constituents and actions, preparations and dosages) p. 295
A Handbook of Native American Herbs by Alma Hutchens, p. 232
The New Age Herbalist by Richard Mabey, p. 40
Fields of Nutrition, p. 58
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies, p. 24,112
Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, p. 144
Nutritional Herbology by Mark Pedersen, p. 174 (details of actions and constituents)
The New Healing Herbs by Michael Castleman, p. 605
The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra, p.251
The Healing Garden by Gayle Povis Allerman, p. 192
The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook by James A. Duke, p. 227
Planetary Herbology by Michael Tierra, p. 161
Herbal health Secrets by Richard M. Lucas, p. 70
School of Natural Healing by Dr. John R. Chistopher, p. 215
The How to Herb Book by Keith and Gordon, p. 67 (specific conditions and how to use)
Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of herbs, p. 516
