Yarrow

(Achillea millefolium)

The Latin name Achillea millefolium is an homage to Achilles son of the nymph Thetis and the Greek god Peleus. According to legend, when Achilles was born, Thetis tried to make him immortal by dipping him in the river Styx, however he was still vulnerable in the part of the body by which she held him, his heels. The Latin name Achillea millefolium comes from the story that it was said Achilles used the Yarrow plant to staunch the bleeding from the wounds his soldiers received on the battle field. It was also used extensively for the same purpose by soldiers on both sides of the American civil war. That is where it came to be known by another popular name, soldier's woundwort.

Other Names:
Bloodwort, Carpenter's Weed, Devil's Nettle, Knight's Milfoil, Nose Bleed, Sanguinary, Soldier's Woundwort, Staunch Weed

Range:
map

Family:
Asteraceae - Composite Family

Growth Type:
Erect herbaceous perennial

Height:
Up to 3 feet tall

Leaves:
Arranged almost spirally down the stem. The leaves generally increase in size as you move down the stem, with the largest leaves appearing near the middle and bottom. Almost feathery in appearance, 2-8 in long. Cauline and more or less clasping.

Stem/Trunk:
Stem - single to multiple. Solid green in color and covered in fine hairs.

Root:
Shallow rhizome

Flower Season:
May through June

Flower Appearance:
Ray and disk flowers ranging in color from white to pink. There are generally 3 to 8 ray flowers that are ovate to round, while disk flowers range from 15 to 40.

Seed/Fruit:
Very small egg shaped seeds, approximately 2.5 mm long.

Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A

Habitat:
Disturbed soil of waste areas, Roadsides, Grasslands, and Open Forests

Parts Used:
Leaves, Stem, Flower Heads

Miscellaneous Uses:
According to an article I read, the US ARMY has conducted field trials of tinctured A. millefolium as an insect repellent. It was found to be far more effective then other and safer than DEET for repelling such things as mosquitoes, chiggers, sand flies, and ticks. I have conducted my own trials with Yarrow as an insect repellent. I have found tinctured yarrow to be effective for repelling mutant Michigan mosquitoes. I cannot say that it works as well or better than DEET, but I did not conduct side by side trials. I will say it works well, and I like the fact that it does not smell nearly as bad as DEET. Moreover it does not leave that horrible oily feeling and residue.

Culinary Uses:
Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads. A tea can also be brewed from plant leaves and stems.

The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.

Energetics
Taste: Bitter
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying

Traditional Medicinal Uses:
Amenorrhea, Candidiasis, Cirrhosis of the liver, Dysmenorrhea, Epistaxis, Hemophilia A and B, Hemorrhoids, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, Internal Bleeding, Liver Disease, Palpatations, Phlebitis, Varicose Ulcers, Varicose Veins, Venous Stenosis, Wounds
A Poultice made from leaves and flowers excels at stopping blood flow from wounds, but it also disperses congealed blood pooled under the skin, like found in bruising. Placing crushed up leaves into the nose will immediately stop a bloody nose. Just be sure to leave enough sticking out so that it can be removed when no longer needed. Yarrow directly effects blood. It moves it from where it should not be, and makes it flow into places where it should. This is a wonderfully useful plant with which everyone should become familiar.

Herbal tea or tincture can be used for colds, fevers, anorexia, indigestion, gastric inflammations, ulcers, IBS, and internal bleeding. It has also been used by woman to help start menstrual cycles which are slow in coming. Conversely, it has also been used to slow excessively heavy flow. A. millefolium stimulates peripheral circulation, decongests capillaries, dilates blood vessels, and is anti-inflammatory. It can reduce blood pressure by eliminating factors that create "back pressure" on the heart. A. millefolium strengthens, and decongests, blood vessels and can be used to treat varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

Search For
Scientific Papers

Cautions According To WebMD

Possible Side Effects:
A. millefolium is contained in some foods. It does contains the chemical thujone. Large amounts of thujone have been shown to be toxic. However, therapeutic amounts of 250 mg - 500 mg daily have been shown to be safe.

Possible Interactions:
arge amounts of A. millefolium may slow blood clotting. Taking this medication with drugs that inhibit or slow clotting may cause bruising, and or bleeding. Users should be careful using NSAID's and others, as well as anticlotting agents like warfarin and others. A. milliroflium may also interact with Lithium. Those taking lithium and wanting to take yarrow should have their physician adjust their lithium dosing.

Medicinal Actions:
Antihypertensive, Anti-Inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic, Antiviral, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Haemostatic

Herbal Preparations For Yarrow

Tea

Part Used: Whole above ground flowering plant
Plant State: Fresh
Yaroow tea can be strong, so you might want to add something like pepeprmint to temper the flavor. To make your healthful tea, bring 8 ounces of water to a boil. remove from heat, and stir in 1 teaspoon of chopped plant material. Cover the pot, and steep for 15-45 minutes. Strain the tea into a mug, and enjoy.
Dosage: Drink a mug As Needed

Infusion

Part Used: Whole above ground flowering plant
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 ounces of the fresh chopped plant material into a quart mason jar, and fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 2-4 oz As Needed

Tincture

Part Used: Whole Flowering Plant
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.

Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh leaves and flowers, then pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 10-40 drops Three Times Daily

Tincture

Part Used: Whole Flowering Plant
Plant State: Dried
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.

Place 150 grams of dried plant material into a quart mason jar. Now pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 20-60 drops Three Times Daily

Tincture

Part Used: Roots
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.

Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh roots, then pour in a bottle of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake well, and store the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard, strain out the spent plant material, and you should have approximately 24-25 ounces of healthful tincture. This 1:2 tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 20-40 drops Three Times Daily