Post Updated 9/3/2024
Achillea millefollium
Family: Asteraceae (Compositae) Aster, Sunflower, Daisy
Yarrow is a near and dear herb to me as it was one of the first ones I became familiar with and use in many of my blends. I like to call it "Cure-All" because that is what it seems to do. It is not only very useful but a beautiful herb to have in the garden, I have both the red and white varieties and sometimes have a hard time cutting the blossoms. This is also Big Woman's favorite herb of choice when anyone gets hurt or blood is involved. She rushes out to the yarrow plant, smashes it up and throws it right on the cut, wound or bite.
Family: Asteraceae (Compositae) Aster, Sunflower, Daisy
Yarrow is a near and dear herb to me as it was one of the first ones I became familiar with and use in many of my blends. I like to call it "Cure-All" because that is what it seems to do. It is not only very useful but a beautiful herb to have in the garden, I have both the red and white varieties and sometimes have a hard time cutting the blossoms. This is also Big Woman's favorite herb of choice when anyone gets hurt or blood is involved. She rushes out to the yarrow plant, smashes it up and throws it right on the cut, wound or bite.
Yarrow comes from the Compositae family, also know as the Asteraceae family and includes asters, daisies, dandelion, marigold and sunflowers among a few. There are about 500 different varieties of yarrow, worldwide. Fun fact about the genus name Achillea, sounds a bit like Achilles because it was named for him, using it in battle to staunch his soldiers wounds. Yarrow has a great affect upon the circulatory system, lungs, skin, mucus membranes and urinary system.
Energetics: cooling, dying, bitter
Systems Affected: lungs, skin, circulatory, urinary, digestive, glandular, liver
Emotional body: balances emotional upsets, strengthens intuition, useful for transition and change
Systems Affected: lungs, skin, circulatory, urinary, digestive, glandular, liver
Emotional body: balances emotional upsets, strengthens intuition, useful for transition and change
Properties
Antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, diaphoretic, hypotensive, astringent, antiseptic, antispasmodic, vulnerary, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, bitter, hepatic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, styptic, amphoteric, analgesic, hypotensive, hemostatic, alterative, carminative, vasodilator, cholagogue.
Beauty and Personal Care
- Acne and complexion problems
- Good for oily skin
- Skin cleanser and toner
- When used as an herbal steam yarrow will open pores and clean them out
- Cleanses and removes oily residue from hair
- Hair loss (apply externally to area of concern using an herbal infusion or herbal oil)
In addition to taking the tea internally (I would recommend the Heal All herb blend as opposed to straight up yarrow tea) you can use the powder form in cleansing grains or a mask, make a toner by infusing the herb in witch hazel or aloe vera liquid, use an herbal oil, compress or any of the other methods listed below.
Medicinal Uses
- Decongest any area that is stagnant and inflamed
- Moves in the direction it is needed in the body
- Cleans, disinfects, promotes healing in wounds, cuts, and burns, etc.
- Reduces redness, swelling and pain in bruises, blood blisters, sprains, strains, and other injuries
- Staunches bleeding and coagulates blood
- Nosebleed (tincture-soaked cotton ball, powder or fresh chewed or mashed, make into a nose plug and insert)
- Skin eruptions such as boils, pimples, bug bites, blisters, allergic reactions, etc.
- Hemorrhaging; intestinal, uterine, hemorrhoids
- Digestive problems and complaints including infection, spasms, gas, diarrhea, gut health
- Nausea and upset stomach
- Fever (bath or foot soak is the most effective)
- Cold, flu, earache, illness of all kinds
- Toothache, gum issues, mouth sores, etc. (chew on fresh leaves or use powder)
- Respiratory and sinus issues, bronchitis, croup, cough, etc. Lung cleansing
- Hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and circulatory issues (take internally and externally with a poultice, compress or salve)
- Stimulates circulation, helps blood cell regeneration, blood purifying, building and support
- Nerve regeneration (discovered by my own experience with a dying tooth nerve that was regenerated)
- PMS and menstrual cramps, regulates flow, aid for painful periods
- Childbirth: facilitates labor, aid in expelling afterbirth, stop excessive bleeding, healing
- Ease transition into menopause, hot flashes, etc.
- Headache, muscle pain, cramp, pain relief
- Joint pain and inflammation, rheumatism, gout
- Lowers blood pressure (most effective when used in combination with hawthorn)
- Bladder problems including infection and cystitis, incontinence, etc.
- Liver support, cleanses, tones and may also protect
- Stress, anxiety, and insomnia
- Measles and chicken pox
- Water retention
Methods of Use
Fresh is best, so when possible make preparations with fresh plant material.
- Tea
- Poultice, compress, wash
- Powder, sprinkle, capsules, pills
- Tincture, liniment
- Honey, syrup
- Bath, foot soak, steam, gargle
- Herbal oil, salve, ointment, cream
- My favorite way to utilize the properties of this herb is through the Heal All Herb Mix below (equal parts yarrow, elder flower and peppermint). I use the blend for baths, foot soaks, compresses, tea and a glycerite. Every sickness that comes around this is what we use.
- Elder flower and peppermint enhance the properties
In the Garden
- Sow seed outdoors in early spring or start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost.
- Transplant or propagate with root divisions in spring or fall, space 12" apart.
- Provide low to moderate amounts of water and plant in full sun. Yarrow will grow in any type of soil condition and especially likes it dry.
- This is a perennial plant and should be divided every few years.
- Yarrow can be invasive and the roots are hard to eradicate so make sure you keep an eye on it and plant only where you will be happy with it growing forever. I like to plant it next to my other "invasive" plants such as mint and St. John's Wort.
- Harvest the aerial parts in mid to late summer when it is in full flower, it is most potent just after the blossoms open.
- Cut when sunny and dry, using both the leaves and flowers.
- Either dry immediately or use for any of the herbal preparations above.
- Yarrow is a great compost plant and will speed decomposition, especially if mixed with comfrey, nettles and dandelion.
- A strong yarrow tea can be used as a fungicide and fertilizer (10-1 with water).
Caution
Yarrow can be a uterine stimulant so it is best to avoid taking internally during pregnancy, however it is wonderful to use during labor and childbirth. Always check this herb for allergic reaction if you have an allergy to the ragweed family.
Recipes
Heal All Herb Mix
Infection Fighter
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Healing Salve
Beauty and Personal Care Recipes
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Vein Salve
First Aid Powder
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Where to Get Yarrow
This herb could easily be wildcrafted since it is so easy to identify. It is best to use the white and red varieties and stay away from the yellow. You can also purchase dried yarrow from Mountain Rose Herb or Bulk Herb Store, both great companies with high quality products. And if you have plenty in your garden, don't forget to harvest and dry for winter use!
Resources
Herbal Legacy article - Yarrow
Yarrow Uses by Dr. Axe
Botany in a Day, p. 169
Peterson Field Guides: Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, p. 86
Floriography, p. 180
North American Wild Flowers, p.274
Essential Herbal Wisdom by Nancy Arrowsmith, p.287
The Complete Medicinal Herbal by Penelope Ody, p. 30
The Herbal Academy: Botany & Wildcrafting Course, p.80
The Herbal Academy: Recipes Monographs: Intermediate Herbal Course, p. 248
Homegrown Herbs by Tammi Hartung, p. 238
Breverton’s Complete Herbal, p. 374
Backyard Medicine (quotes from old herbals and recipes, with dosages), p. 192
Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide, p. 213
Mountain States Medicinal Plants by Briana Wiles, p. 271
Healing Plants of the Rocky Mountains, p. 156
A Kid’s Herb Book by Lesley Tierra, p. 173
Practical Herbalism (full list of constituents and actions, preparations and dosages) p. 295
A Handbook of Native American Herbs by Alma Hutchens, p. 232
The New Age Herbalist by Richard Mabey, p. 40
Fields of Nutrition, p. 58
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies, p. 24,112
Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, p. 144
Nutritional Herbology by Mark Pedersen, p. 174 (details of actions and constituents)
The New Healing Herbs by Michael Castleman, p. 605
The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra, p.251
The Healing Garden by Gayle Povis Allerman, p. 192
The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook by James A. Duke, p. 227
Planetary Herbology by Michael Tierra, p. 161
Herbal health Secrets by Richard M. Lucas, p. 70
School of Natural Healing by Dr. John R. Chistopher, p. 215
The How to Herb Book by Keith and Gordon, p. 67 (specific conditions and how to use)
Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of herbs, p. 516
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achillea_millefolium
Yarrow Uses by Dr. Axe
Botany in a Day, p. 169
Peterson Field Guides: Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, p. 86
Floriography, p. 180
North American Wild Flowers, p.274
Essential Herbal Wisdom by Nancy Arrowsmith, p.287
The Complete Medicinal Herbal by Penelope Ody, p. 30
The Herbal Academy: Botany & Wildcrafting Course, p.80
The Herbal Academy: Recipes Monographs: Intermediate Herbal Course, p. 248
Homegrown Herbs by Tammi Hartung, p. 238
Breverton’s Complete Herbal, p. 374
Backyard Medicine (quotes from old herbals and recipes, with dosages), p. 192
Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide, p. 213
Mountain States Medicinal Plants by Briana Wiles, p. 271
Healing Plants of the Rocky Mountains, p. 156
A Kid’s Herb Book by Lesley Tierra, p. 173
Practical Herbalism (full list of constituents and actions, preparations and dosages) p. 295
A Handbook of Native American Herbs by Alma Hutchens, p. 232
The New Age Herbalist by Richard Mabey, p. 40
Fields of Nutrition, p. 58
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies, p. 24,112
Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, p. 144
Nutritional Herbology by Mark Pedersen, p. 174 (details of actions and constituents)
The New Healing Herbs by Michael Castleman, p. 605
The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra, p.251
The Healing Garden by Gayle Povis Allerman, p. 192
The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook by James A. Duke, p. 227
Planetary Herbology by Michael Tierra, p. 161
Herbal health Secrets by Richard M. Lucas, p. 70
School of Natural Healing by Dr. John R. Chistopher, p. 215
The How to Herb Book by Keith and Gordon, p. 67 (specific conditions and how to use)
Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of herbs, p. 516
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achillea_millefolium
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