To the Greeks, yarrow was an important medicinal herb that was named in honor of the hero Achilles who was said to have used it to heal the wounds of his fellow soldiers at Troy. Although the Romans also used it to stanch bleeding on the battlefield and called it Herba Militaris, they used yarrow more often for common things such as nosebleeds.47 Whether or not it was used during the legendary battle of Troy, yarrow was a staple in battlefield medical kits from the time of the Crusades up through the Civil War.
Yarrow has also been known for its variety of other medicinal uses. Both the ancient Greeks and Renaissance Britons sung its praises for healing and it came to be known as Cure-All.48 It was extolled for the treatment of rheumatism. In America, the Shakers used yarrow in a range of remedies that they sold through their herb business. This plant has been a powerhouse for creating a range of dyes including golds, grays, greens, yellows, and black.
Medicinal Uses
Acne, amenorrhea, boils, bruises, colds, cuts and scrapes, digestive system support, eczema, fever, flu, hair care, hemorrhoids, indigestion, infection, inflammation, insect repellent, menorrhagia, menstrual cramps, menstrual cycle problems, nosebleed, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, scars, skin care, sore throat, sprains, stomachache or pain, varicose veins
Precautions and Contraindications
The herb: Avoid during pregnancy and while breastfeeding; may cause allergic reaction in those sensitive to ragweed and related plants; large doses may induce headache; use in moderation; do not use when taking medications that slow blood clotting.
The essential oils: Herbal precautions also apply.
Parts of Plant Used
Herbal remedies: Leaves and flowers
Essential oils: Entire plant
Culinary purposes: Leaves
Growing and Harvesting
Yarrow is a slender, upright plant that grows one to three feet tall with a branching, smooth, green stem. Its pinnate leaves are ferny and covered with soft hairs. Its small white to pinkish flowers grow in wide umbel clusters and bloom from midsummer to autumn. The plant has a pleasant, sweet smell.
|
Type |
Zone |
Light |
Soil |
Moisture |
Height |
Spacing |
|
Perennial |
2 |
Full sun to partial shade |
Any |
Moist |
1–3' |
18" |
Yarrow prefers full sun but will grow in partial shade. Easily grown from seed, yarrow is happy in almost any soil and does well in containers. It readily self-seeds but can also be propagated by root division. Yarrow increases essential oil production in other plants growing nearby, making it especially good for aromatic herbs. It attracts a range of good bugs including ladybugs, hoverflies, and predatory wasps. Yarrow’s blooming period can be extended by removing flowers before they set seed. Stems with leaves and flowers can be hung to dry. Yarrow is good for the compost pile because it helps to speed decomposition.
How to Use the Herb
As history attests, yarrow heals wounds. In addition to coagulating the blood, it has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that keep wounds from getting infected. However, always be sure to clean the cut first. A yarrow tincture works just as well as iodine and it helps to relieve any associated pain. A poultice of fresh leaves will stanch the bleeding of a wound or a nosebleed. Also, dried flowers and leaves can be ground together to make a first-aid powder that can be sprinkled on an open wound. A little powder inside the nostril can slow a nosebleed.
Combining yarrow with peppermint in tea is an effective treatment to relieve cold and flu symptoms. This tea also helps soothe a sore throat. Additionally, yarrow stimulates blood flow to the surface of the skin promoting sweating and reducing fever. For a fever, drink half a cup every thirty minutes to bring on a sweat.
1 teaspoon dried yarrow flowers and leaves, crumbled
1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves, crumbled
1 cup boiling water
Combine the herbs and pour the water over them. Steep for 10 to 20 minutes and strain. Even though peppermint reduces the bitterness of yarrow, a little honey also helps.
Odd as it may seem, while yarrow can reduce heavy menstrual bleeding it can also stimulate a late period and help with amenorrhea. In addition, its antispasmodic properties relieve menstrual cramps.
Yarrow Menstrual Aid Tea
1½ teaspoons dried yarrow flowers and leaves, crumbled
½ teaspoon dried lemon balm leaves, crumbled
1 cup boiling water
Combine the herbs and pour the water over them. Steep 10 to 15 minutes and strain. Add honey to taste. When making this tea for amenorrhea, use sage instead of lemon balm.
Yarrow’s antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties are also helpful for treating bruises and sprains. Apply a poultice of leaves to a sprain to stop the swelling. Alternatively, a cloth moistened with a yarrow tincture can be applied.
A yarrow poultice is also good for drawing pus out of boils or infected cuts. Another method for this is to use a yarrow infusion as a soak if the boil or cut is on a part of the body (hand, arm, foot) that is easily immersed in a pan of water. The infusion should be as warm as possible but not so hot that it burns or is uncomfortable.
The astringent qualities of this plant make it an effective salve for treating hemorrhoids. Apply it several times a day. Instead of a salve, an infusion can be used in a sitz bath. The salve can treat bruises, too. A yarrow liniment helps to ease varicose veins. Compresses made with a yarrow infusion used on the legs especially during pregnancy reduces swelling and discomfort.
Although yarrow does not have a wide culinary use, pick a few young leaves to add to a green salad. The bitters in yarrow leaves make it a tonic for the digestive system. It fights inflammation and infections of the stomach lining and the intestines. Yarrow’s antispasmodic properties relieve stomachaches. To avoid the bitter taste of yarrow, brew the tea with other herbs, such as peppermint as in the Fever Reducing Yarrow Tea or try the following infusion.
Soothe the Belly Yarrow Infusion
3 tablespoons dried yarrow flowers, crumbled
2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers, crumbled
1 tablespoon dried angelica root, chopped
1 quart water
Place the angelica root in the water and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Place the yarrow and chamomile in a large jar or pitcher and carefully pour in the water and angelica root. Let it steep for 30 to 60 minutes, and then strain.
As an alternative to the tea, make a yarrow tincture. For indigestion take one quarter to a half teaspoon of it three times a day. For help with digestive system infections, make an infusion with equal parts yarrow and peppermint. Drink two cups a day. Yarrow also helps remove toxins from the body and purify the blood.
The astringent properties of this herb make it good for skin care. Yarrow tea can be used as a facial rinse that soothes the inflammation of acne. Combine it with chamomile for a facial steam that is effective for unclogging and cleaning the pores. A yarrow infusion makes a good cleanser for oily skin and a conditioner for oily hair. While gardening or doing anything outside, an insect repellent is always helpful. Before going outside, spray Yarrow Insect Repellent Infusion on exposed skin and rub it in.
Yarrow Insect Repellent Infusion
¼ cup yarrow dried flowers, crumbled
¼ cup lavender dried leaves, crumbled
2 cups boiling water
Combine the herbs and pour in water. Steep for 30 to 60 minutes and then strain into a spray bottle.
How to Use the Essential Oils
Yarrow essential oil has a sweet, herbaceous scent. Its color ranges from dark blue to greenish.
Like a yarrow infusion, the essential oil works well for skin care, especially acne and eczema. Apricot kernel and jojoba carrier oils are good choices for this application. This mix can also help reduce scars.
Yarrow blends well with Roman chamomile and valerian to create a massage oil for rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, and varicose veins, which will also help circulation in general.
Ease the Pain Yarrow Massage Oil
3 drops yarrow essential oil
2 drops Roman chamomile essential oil
2 drops valerian essential oil
1 tablespoon carrier oil
Mix the essential oils together and then combine with the carrier oil.