Latin name: Achillea millefolium  

Family: Asteraceae (aster)

Active Herbalist products featuring yarrow: Immuni-Tea

History & Growing: Yarrow is certainly a special plant. Native to temperate parts of Europe, Asia, and North America, yarrow is a perennial plant that reaches heights 3 feet at maturity with feathery fine leaves referenced in its name “millefolium.” It has a reputation for spreading and taking over as a ground cover if not kept in check. Yarrow is fairly easy to grow from seed, propagation or division and makes a great companion plant; it desires well drained soil. Be sure to plant the white A. millefolium species for medicine – there are some ornamental varieties. With looks similar to Queen Ann’s lace, the billowing flowers are ripe with essential oils and medicinal value, as are the leaves. Traditionally, the aerial portions have made a top-tier remedy for wound healing, especially in battle (hence the reference to Achilles in its naming). Yarrow has rich history across many cultures in religious ceremonies. In Chinese medicine, it has been used as a divination herb to ward off evil spirits. Ancient Druids also used it ceremoniously as an “oracle plant; yarrow was apparently used in weather predictions. Yarrow is one of Irelands 7 herbs that nothing supernatural or natural could injure. In ancient times, yarrow was known as herba militaris for its use on the battlefield (Chevallier). Its use is so historied, in fact, that remnants of yarrow were scraped off a Neanderthal’s teeth!

Parts Used Medicinally: Most commonly aerial portions (leaves and flowers) but roots are medicinal and used as well.

Supplementation Forms:  Infusion, tincture, poultice, powder, wash, compress, salve, infused oil, essential oil

Taste: Bitter, astringent

Energetics: Cooling, drying

Actions:

• Antihemorrhagic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antispasmodic
• Alterative
• Anti-microbial
• Bitter tonic
• Circulatory stimulant (like echinacea yarrow is a cooling stimulant!)
• Decongestant
• Diaphoretic
• Emmenagogue
• Emetic (in high doses)
• Hypotensive (yarrow dilates blood vessels to lower blood pressure)
• Styptic (helps reduce bleeding)
• Vulnerary

Organs & Body Systems Herb Acts Upon:

• SKIN
• Reproductive System
• Respiratory System
• Immune System
• Circulatory System
• Urinary System

Constituents: volatile oils (azulene, camphor, linalool, sabinene), sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, alkaloids (achilleine), triterpenes, phytoesterols, tannins (Chevallier)

Traditional Uses:

• Classically used to treat wounds and staunch bleeding. Achilles was said to have used yarrow to treat wounded soldiers during the Trojan War. Other tales say he was bathed in yarrow as a child, held by his mother from his heel. Lastly, Achilles was said to have learned of yarrow under the tutelage of his mentor, Chiron – a mythical centaur and current asteroid associated with Wound Healing. It was an important and powerful medicinal in ancient Greece and Rome. The leaves and flowers (dried or fresh) applied topically to an open wound can stop bleeding in a surprisingly quick fashion! This is why yarrow was used medicinally on the battlefield. It’s skin- protective qualities are so powerful that a strong infusion of yarrow applied topically (or simply chewing the root & blossoms) was practiced prior to fire-walking ceremonies!
• Yarrow was taken internally for a variety of ailments, ranging from digestive issues to fevers. It is said to have offered pain relief and speed healing. Yarrow was also chewed to relieve headaches and toothaches.
• It was used as a spiritual and ritualistic herb in a number of cultures. Yarrow was used as a symbol of purification, warding off evil spirits, and more. Some indigenous practices included burning the herb, others hanging the dried herb in doorways or stuffed into pillows. Yarrow was a popular strewing herb in Europe. (Wesely)

Current Uses (& Studies/Research):

• Topical/ Skin applications: “Woundwort”
  • Making a poultice from the fresh or dried leaf/flower (powder works as well) is a great way to stop bleeding and speed healing. Yarrow can be applied to a wound, nosebleed, bruise, insect and/or animal bite – it also makes a great natural insect repellant! Yarrow is great for skin conditions like eczema, acne, and easy bruising.
  • Yarrow is a popular remedy for varicose veins: it not only improves circulation but also helps tone lax tissues. (Blankespoor)
• Immune System:
  • With a trifecta of strengths (stimulant diaphoretic, decongestant, antimicrobial) yarrow is a fantastic remedy for colds, flus, and low-grade fevers, particularly because it is also a cooling herb.
  • Yarrow is a trusted remedy for seasonal allergies and sore throats, especially combined with herbs like nettle, elderflower, and mint.
  • Yarrow is an ideal herb for sinus congestion and respiratory infections with its drying and inflammation-relieving properties
• Digestive ailments:
  • Yarrow is a premier wound healer, bitter tonic, astringent and antispasmodic. This makes it a great remedy for stomach ailments associated with wounding and/or cramping. I’ve used it in digestive remedies where there has been some trauma to the GI tract. Yarrow can relax tightness and speed wound healing and aid in reducing inflammation. I like combining yarrow with calendula, marshmallow and meadowsweet. Yarrow can be a great remedy for stomach bugs, weak digestion, hemorrhoids, and colic.
• Heart & circulatory system:
  • Yarrow dilates the blood vessels, effectively relieving high blood pressure. (Chevallier)
  • Yarrow thereby improves circulation while strengthening and toning blood vessels, which can help mitigate a number of complications and symptoms. (Groves)
• Menstrual support:
  • Staunch uterine bleeding & heal postpartum trauma (commonly combined with calendula for sitz bath) as well as postpartum hemorrhages and miscarriage.
• • Yarrow can stimulate absent or light menses. It may help regulate the menstrual cycle.
  • As an antispasmodic, yarrow can help lessen cramping and painful periods.
• Urinary System:
  • Yarrow is a wonderful herb add into a UTI remedy (particularly painful, inflamed, hot infections) because of its cooling, diuretic and anti-microbial properties. It can be especially helpful when combined with herbs like uva-ursi, marshmallow, and agrimony.
• Soil health: Cultivating yarrow is good for soil health as it mines nutrients!

When to Reach for Herb & In What Form:

• Externally, if you have a wound, with a poultice made from the fresh or dried plant (or powder) or as a sitz bath.
• Internally, if you have a cold/flu/low grade fever/stomach ailment/allergies, consumed as a piping hot infusion.
• *Tincture blend*

Dosage & Preparation:

• 1-2 teaspoons dried herb per 8 oz water up to 3x’s / day (higher concentrations can be emetic)
• 1-3 ml tincture 1-3x’s/day

(Blankespoor)

Contraindications:

• High doses are emetic and unnecessary
• As a member of the aster family, allergic reactions are possible but rare.
• Not recommended during pregnancy

Elemental, Planetary & Dosha Discussion:

• Air plant under Venus rulership most associated with the pitta dosha

(Popham)

• Important to formulate with moistening herbs for tonic use!

Citations & Recommended Reading:

• Herb Notes: The Medicinal Uses of Yarrow by Tara Ruth
• Yarrow: A Plant Profile and Seed Historian Report by Katya Wesely
• The Healing Garden by Juliet Blankespoor
• Body Into Balance by Maria Noel Groves
• Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chevallier
• Evolutionary Herbalism by Sajah Popham

Recipe of the Week: Cold & Flu & Allergy Soother

Equal parts dried (1 teaspoon) or fresh (2 teaspoons): mint, elderflower, and yarrow + 8-10 oz hot water

Combine ingredients and infuse for 15-20 minutes. Strain and serve HOT!