Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
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Use this herb for:
Actions
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Fever reducing
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Lowers blood pressure
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Peropheral vasodilator
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Antihemorrhagic
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Tissue healing
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Antimicrobial
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Spasmolytic
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Antiinflammatory
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Emmenagogue
Uses
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High blood pressure
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Sluggish digestion
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Common cold and flu
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Upper respiratory infection
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Absent menses
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Heavy menses
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Inflammation on the skin and digestive tract
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Wound healing
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Colic
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Anorexia
Constituents
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Volatile oils (blue azulene)
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Sesquterpene lactones
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Flavanoids
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Rutin
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Quercitin
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Kaempferol
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Salicylic acid
Energetics
Bitter, spicy, mildly astringent & diffusive
For the depressed, excited and to some extent the stagnated tissue states.
Yarrow is loved by many herbalists. Partially for the wide range of health benefits for the various applications but also because of the plant’s powerful energetics. As Matthew wood puts it, “Yarrow is one of the primal remedies of the Western Herbal Tradition.” In The Spirit of Herbs the plant is associated with the Ace of Wands. The ace representing the root power of the element it represents, in this case Fire. The element of fire is the basis of the will-to-power.
One of the most amazing components of herbs are their amphoteric properties. Amphoteric means that the plant has the potential of having opposite effects. As an aromatic bitter Yarrow is considered a “warming bitter,” reigniting digestive fire. At the same time due to this plant’s volatile oil it is a powerful diaphoretic and is able to reduce fevers.
Growing
Yarrow has the ability to grow as tall as 20 inches. Often in the garden you will notice new growth each season due to the plants ability to spread through a “creeping rhizome”. Yarrow grows well in zones 2-9 and is abundant on Vancouver Island. This plant easily germinates whether directly sown or with starter cells. We harvest the aerial parts during the summer in full bloom, isolating the leaves and flowers for making medicine.
Cautions
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Avoid in pregnancy due to emmenagogue action, and specifically thujone-containing varieties should be avoided in pregnancy
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Avoid in known allergy to Yarrow and other Aster family plants