You have probably seen the herb of the month for September in your area or at the local garden center. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) belongs to the Asteraceae or sunflower family. It grows several feet tall around the arid Rocky Mountains, but lies low in the eastern states where humidity is higher. The white and pink flowering varieties are preferred to the yellow variety for medicinal use, but as my herbal school teacher used to say, “Check the ego of anyone who claims a plant has no medicinal value.” This means that the yellow ones may also have medicinal value!
This well-known plant has been given many alternative common names over the years, such as nosebleed, yarrow, and ragweed. Like our ancestors long ago, we appreciate this medicinally powerful herb in our modern world for a variety of uses.
Yarrow’s roots in love and war
In herbal practice we do not actually use the roots of yarrow. We use the above-ground parts (leaves and flowers) for medicinal purposes.
Wild harvested yarrow
It was said that yarrow was carried by the Greek warrior Achilles in his belt during the Trojan War to treat wounds on the battlefield, hence the Latin name refers to the warrior and another common name for yarrow: the warrior’s herb. The leaves are known to support wound care in first aid, but keep in mind the type of wound you are applying plant material to these days!
Yarrow also symbolizes long-lasting love in various cultures. The I Ching or Yi Jing is an ancient Chinese text that claims that the stems of yarrow will lead to one’s love during divination rituals. And Greek mythology mentions yarrow when talking about the goddess of love, Aphrodite. Yarrow symbolizes love because its energetic actions are long lasting and diffused. The plant itself, once established, is a strong perennial and shows resilience even under harsh environmental conditions. You may even see yarrow blooming along concrete or disturbed ground where construction has occurred.
Yarrow for reproductive health
Wise female healers and Western herbalists have used yarrow for centuries to support women’s reproductive health. Yarrow supports blood flow and can relieve PMS symptoms associated with sore breasts and heavy periods. It also promotes healthy estrogen and progesterone balance and therefore aids in herbal formulas that promote healthy hormonal balance. Healthy hormone function is essential for fertility and a healthy reproductive system in women’s bodies.
In addition to its internal actions, yarrow’s astringent properties help midwives assist mothers during the postpartum period. WishGarden’s AfterBirth Sitzbath is a herb mix containing my favorite herb: yarrow! Preparing the herbs with hot water and sitting in this herbal bath can support a new mother’s sensitive buttocks after giving birth. And don’t forget the cramps after birth. These intense cramps can come on quickly, so having AfterEase For After Birth Contractions herbal extraction on hand can help ease postpartum discomfort.
Yarrow for herbal first aid
The second part of the Latin name of yarrow, millefolium, translates to “thousands of leaves,” because the herb’s soft, fern-like leaves resemble many small leaves. The leaves are traditionally used in first aid operations, as mentioned earlier. Professional herbalists know how to use them on localized wounds with minor bleeding, such as cuts and scrapes.
Yarrow is called “life medicine” by the Navajo Nation because they chew the leaves for toothaches and make infusions for earaches. Native American healers also use the leaves and flowers to infuse tea, as the leaves and flowers have diaphoretic properties to help the body dissipate heat through the skin.
Yarrow First Aid Tea Infusion
Herbal extractions containing yarrow such as Serious V-Fighter can also promote the body’s natural immune response and support healthy mucosal tissue in response to seasonal stress.
Spirit Herb
Yarrow is my personal spirit herb. In creative tasks, it reminds me to move slowly, with steady intentions. It’s a complex herb, just like my personality! – and in astrology we share the element of water.
History has taught us that yarrow represents warriors and lovers, and that its energetic actions can have lasting staying power and affinity with our skin and immune system. It is a powerful herbal ally and I invite you to welcome it into your daily botanical rituals!
Lauren Ann Nichols-Sheffler attended the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism and received her certificate in Medical Herbalism. She owns it Blue yarrow herbs also known as Herbal Vice, an herbal product company that practices bioregional herbal medicine by growing plants and sourcing locally. Lauren loves educating and advocating for plant sustainability. She is the purchasing and sourcing manager for WishGarden Herbs.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
Feature photo: AnemoneProjectors, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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