Yarrow

Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium

Family: Asteraceae (Compositae)

Other Names: Arrow root, carpenter’s weed, common yarrow, death flower, devil's bit, devil’s plaything, field hops, gearew, herba militaries (Roman), old man's mustard, milfoil, military herb, nosebleed, snake grass, spear well (English), tao-pipezu-ta (North American Teton Dakota tribe) thousand leaf, thousand seal, wound wort, gearwe

Habitat: Grassy places, meadows, hedges

Description: Perennial ferny herb Rough, angular, unbranched stem. Dark green feathery leaves. Opposite, bipinnatifid, 6-10cm long Large flat topped clusters of white or pale lilac flowers that bloom June-December, 5 petals. Height 60cm/2ft aromatic

Native to: Europe, N Asia, and N America

Parts Used: Aerial parts

Cultivation: Rich, moist soil. Sunny position

Propagation: Sow seeds in autumn in container and winter in a cold frame

Harvesting: As it comes into flower

Actions: Anti-inflammatory, antiphylogistic, antipyretic, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, cholagogue, cicatrisant, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, haemostatic, hypotensive, spasmolytic, stimulent, stomachic, tonic

Extraction: Steam distillation of dried herb

Constituents: Cineol, thujone, limonene

Volatile oil: azulenes (up to 50%): chamazulene, guaiazulene, alpha pinene, beta pinene, borneol, bornyl acetate, camphor, caryophyllene, eugenol, farnesene, myrcene, sabinene, isoartemisia ketone, terpineol, thujone, alpha bisabolol, nerolidol, spathulenol

Sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenes lactones: achillin, achillicin, hydroxyachillin, balchanolide, leucodin, millifin, millifolide, longipinene, achillifolin, and their derivatives; achimillic acids A, B and C, alpha peroxyachifolide, beta peroxyachifolide, epi-artabsin derivatives

Flavonoids: apigenin, luteolin, quercetin and their glycosides, artemetin, casticin, rutin, orientin, isovitexin

Alkaloids and bases: betonicine, stachydrine, achiceine, moschatine, trigonelline

Polyynes, cyclitols, salicylic acid

Combines with: Angelica, boneset, cayenne, cedarwood atlas, ginger, hawthorn, juniper, lemon, lime blossom, mistletoe, peppermint, rosemary, vetiver

Note: Top

Culinary Uses: Salads, vegetables

Skin: Acne, burns, cuts, eczema, scars, varicose veins, wounds

Circulatory, muscles and joints: Arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, and thrombosis

Digestive: Constipation, flatulence, haemorrhoids, indigestion

Genito- Urinary: Amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, and cystitis

Immune: Colds, flu, fever

Nervous System: Hypertensive, insomnia, stress

Energetics: Smell: spicy, red, and fiery.

                   Spirit: Warrior man

                    Emotionally: Speed, joy

                    Physically: Movement, cerebellum, eyes

Other Notes: Achillea millefolium means the thousand-leaved plant of Achilles

Achillea comes from the Greek hero Achilles whose spear had the power to heal as well as kill. Legend says the plant grew from the rust of the spear

The folk name gearwe comes from Anglo Saxon times and means repairer of bodies or gierwan meaning to prepare or be ready

It was used by the druids to foretell the weather

In China it is used in I ching divination

Used in Scotland to ward off evil spirits

In Chinese medicine it is thought to represent perfect balance

In Shanidar, which was once a northern province of Mesopotamia, evidence has been found to suggest yarrow was buried with the dead of Neanderthal as far back as 60,000 years ago

If it is cut on the night of a full moon it is said to aid vision into other realms

It is said to be the first herb held by Christ

Placing the leaves over your eyes is said to bring second sight

The Irish believe it is lucky is sewn into clothes

If cut from the grave of a young man and sewn into flannel and laid under a pillow the following rhyme may be said - Yarrow, sweet yarrow, the first I have found, and in the name of Jesus I pluck it from the ground, As Joseph loves sweet Mary and took her for his dear, So in a dream this very night my true love will appear

In Suffolk the rhyme is - Green yarrow, green yarrow you bears a white blow. If my love loves me my nose will bleed now

Cautions: Do not use over a long period.