Yarrow, Milfoil

Yarrow, Achillea Millefolium, has a long history as a wound healer. Native to Europe and Western Asia, yarrow can be found growing wild in temperate regions throughout the world. Take a look in your front yard you may just have some growing, if not take a walk around the neighborhood someone is bound to have some. The herb spreads via its roots, and the aerial parts are picked in summer when in flower.

Yarrow is an antispasmodic, anti inflammatory, astringent, bitter tonic. Yarrow increases sweating helping reduce fever and lowers blood pressure. Yarrow is a mild diuretic and urinary antiseptic. Yarrow is known to stop internal bleeding and promote menstruation.

Despite its many similarities to German Chamomile, Yarrow has been poorly researched. The herb and it’s volatile oil have been shown to be anti inflammatory; the azulenes are also anti allergenic. The sesquiterpene lactose’s are bitter and have antitumor activity. Achelleine and the flavonoids may be responsible for yarrows antispasmodic action. Laboratory studies indicate that yarrow dilates blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure. It works, in part, like conventional medications knows as ACE inhibitors, which commonly are prescribed for high blood pressure.

Traditionally yarrow is used as a wound healing herb. Achilles reputedly used yarrow to heal wounds, hence its botanical name. It has been used for this purpose for centuries, and in Scotland a traditional wound ointment was made from yarrow.

As a gynaecological herb yarrow can help regulate the menstrual cycle, reduce heavy bleeding, and eases period pain.

Other ways we can use yarrow is to combine with other herbs to help during a cold or flu. It’s bitter tonic properties make it useful for weak digestion and colic. It also helps reduce hay fever, lowers high blood pressure, improves venous circulation and tones varicose veins.

May cause allergic reaction in rare cases. Use the essential oil only under professional supervision. Do NOT take during pregnancy.

As always this is not medical advice! I am not a doctor. Please do your own research 🧐 and educate yourself before thinking about trying new herbs. I also strongly recommend consulting your doctor before starting any natural treatment and making sure it won’t contraindicate with any medications you are already taking.

Yarrow Magic

There's a reason so many plant people are called to the herbal path by yarrow – this is truly one of our most ancient plantcestors.

According to Maud Grieve in A Modern Herbal, yarrow’s name is a corruption of the Anglo-Saxon name for the plant – gearwe; the Dutch, yerw. To the ancients, yarrow was known as Herba militaris, the military herb. Linnæus named yarrow Achillea millefolium in 1753 after the famed Greek warrior Achilles, who used yarrow to staunch the wounds of his soldiers on the battlefield. Unfortunately, Achilles did not have dear yarrow at the time of his mortal wounding for he lamented that he would have survived had it been near. Some say that Achilles learned about the properties of yarrow while under the tutelage of his mentor Chiron. Chiron is sometimes referred to as “the wounded healer” and thus yarrow has earned a relationship with this archetype and is a valuable ally for those experiencing wounding of the soul.

Its species name, millefolium, literally means “thousand leaved” and represents the foliage of Yarrow which is so feathery that it may just have a thousand leaves after all. Its leaves look serrated, almost like a knife, showing us its doctrine of signatures of being appropriate for injuries that “cut to the bone” – this tells us much about its healing properties as a wound herb as well.

Most commonly used in love and divination magic, Yarrow Flowers are often combined with other herbs to enhance or to magnify the workings of any spell. Associated with the goddess Aphrodite, Yarrow Flowers are carried on a person to attract love and relationship.

Sprinkled along the doorway of the home, Yarrow is said to offer protection from evil entities. In China, Yarrow is considered a sacred herb, as it is said to grow on the gravesite of Confucius. Use Yarrow Flowers in an herbal tea to enhance psychic visions and awareness.

Yarrow can also be used in herbal preparations, burn in a loose incense blend, add to floor washes, ritual baths, use to dress spell candles, stuff poppets, or as a casting herb.

Stay wild ✌️