This week's Weed Wednesday is all about Yarrow - a powerful little plant with an impressive history and a long list of incredbile healing properties.

Throughout July and August, yarrow's dainty white flowers can be seen throughout grasslands and meadows growing amongst various grasses in sunny fields. It is always a welcome site to me and my kids when we go for nature walks, and I was pleasently surprised to find it thriving all over our recently purchased acreage. I have grown yarrow ornamentally in my flower garden for years, and now we have an endless supply of wild yarrow all throughout our pastures!

Yarrow is native to almost all of the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Asia and Europe, and was even introduced to Australia and New Zealand. It has been prized for its medicinal benefits around the world, and by almost every culture.

Did you know? 

There is evidence to suggest that yarrow has been used for 60,000 years! Yarrow pollen has been found in fossils from Neanderthal burial sites, where it was likely used medicinally to treat a variety of ailments.

The ancient Greeks also used yarrow to treat wounds, and its Latin name, Achillea Millefolium, came from the Greek hero Achilles, who used the plant to heal the wounds of soldiers who fought in the battle of Troy. 

Many Native American tribes used yarrow medicinally as well, treating everything from open wounds to fevers and pain.

How to identify yarrow?

Yarrow is most easily identified by its clusters of white flowers which grow from a single stem, but it also has very distinct feathery leaves that emerge from the ground in late spring.

Leaves: feathery green, small leaflets that branch off the main stem

Flowers: flat top clusters of flowers, each with (typically) white ray florets and yellow disc florets. Flowers can also be pink or orange

Smell: leaves produce an herby scent when crushed

Height: grows up to 1-3 feet tall

Location: grasslands, meadows, sometimes on the edges of open forests

Benefits of Yarrow

Stops Bleeding

Yarrow has astringent and clotting properties that can quickly stop bleeding. You can apply fresh chopped/ripped yarrow leaves or dried yarrow powder to wounds and abscesses to encourage clotting and promote healing. You can also put leaves in nostrils to stop a nose bleed.

Wound Healing

Yarrow is a powerful antifungal and antibacterial and can quickly heal wounds when applied topically. It is also an anelgesic, so it can help to relieve the pain of open wounds. Yarrow also helps to soothe and heal skin irritations like eczema, bug and snake bites, burns, blisters, hemorrhoids, measles and chickenpox due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Digestive Health

Yarrow contains bitter digestive tonics which stimulate the digestive system to help treat digestive issues like IBS, ulcers, nausea, bloating, and diarrhea. 

Colds, Flus and Fevers

Yarrow is a diaphoretic, so it can induce sweating which helps to reduce fevers. A decoction made from the leaves can be garggled to relieve sore throats. It is also an astringent, so it can help with runny noses and excess mucus.

Menstrual Problems

Yarrow is antispasmodic and can help relieve pain from menstrual cramps, it can also help to reduce heavy menstrual flow. It has also been used to tone uterine muscles after childbirth.

Anxiety and Depression

Yarrow contains alkaloids and flavanoids which can help to ease anxiety and depression. Taken as a tea or tincture, it has a calming effect without causing sedation.

How to Use Yarrow

1. Tea - yarrow can be taken as a tea by brewing young leaves in boiling water for 5 minutes. It has a bitter taste which can be made more palatable with honey
2. Tincture - yarrow tincture can be taken to address many ailments and is an easier and less bitter way to enjoy the medicinal benefits of this plant
3. Decoction - made by brewing a strong tea, can be used as a mouth garggle for tooth aches and is antibacterial
4. Poultice - made by crushing or chewing leaves and applied to wounds
5. Salve - helps to heal skin wounds and ease skin irritations

Magical Uses of Yarrow

Besides the many medicinal uses, yarrow also contains some magical healing powers. It has long been used to promote courage, psychic powers, and love. You can drink yarrow tea to assist you in your divination practice, or wear it in a satchel to stop fear and grant courage. It has also been used in love spells and to attract friends.

Warnings: yarrow should not be consumed during pregnancy, and should be avoided before surgery as it might slow blood clotting. Avoid if you are allergic to plants in the aster/daisy family. And as always, it is important to consult a healthcare practitioner before taking any herbs. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness.