Yarrow, also known as soldier’s woundwort, nosebleed plant, milfoil, plumajillo (“little feather” in Spanish), and staunchweed, is a hardy, herbaceous perennial revered for its medicinal, culinary, and practical uses throughout history. Found in temperate regions worldwide, yarrow is a member of the Asteraceae/Daisy family and is recognized for its feathery leaves, aromatic flowering tops, and ability to thrive in diverse environments.

Plant Identification

• Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium
• Family: Asteraceae (Aster/Daisy family)
• Parts Used: Leaves, flowers, and roots
• Energetics: Drying, cooling
• Taste: Bitter, pungent
• Growth Habit: Yarrow is an erect perennial plant that spreads through rhizomes. It typically grows 1 to 3 feet (0.3 to 0.9 meters) tall in full sun to partial shade.
• Leaves: Feathery, bipinnate or tripinnate leaves, 2 to 8 inches (5 to 20 cm) long, arranged spirally on the stem. The leaves are finely divided, giving them a fern-like texture.
• Flowers:
  • Blooms from May to July, with clusters of 15 to 40 tiny disk florets surrounded by 3 to 8 ray florets.
  • Colors range from white to yellow, pink, and red, with a chrysanthemum-like scent.
  • Flowers are long-lasting, attracting pollinators and repelling pests.
• Habitat: Coastal areas, disturbed areas, fields, forests, meadows, roadsides, and rocky slopes.
• Edible Parts: Leaves and flowers are edible but have a slightly bitter and medicinal flavor.
• Life Cycle: Herbaceous perennial.
• Reproduction: By seed and rhizome.
• Growth Habit: Clumping, with upright stems 1–3 feet tall.

Chemical Constituents

Yarrow contains a variety of compounds that contribute to its medicinal properties:

• Volatile Oils: Linalool, sabinene, camphor, eucalyptol, chamazulene, and achillin.
• Flavonoids: Apigenin, luteolin-7-glycosides, isoquercitrin, and rutin.
• Alkaloids: Betonicine, stachydrine, and trigonelline.
• Acids: Salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, linoleic acid, and succinic acid.

Historical and Cultural Significance

• Archaeological Evidence: Yarrow was found in the dental tartar of a Neanderthal who lived 50,000 years ago, suggesting early medicinal use.
• Greek Mythology: The genus name “Achillea” derives from Achilles, who is said to have used yarrow to treat the wounds of his soldiers.
• Historical Uses: Used in the I Ching for divination and revered as a battlefield herb with names like staunchweed and herba militaris.
• Folklore: Associated with protection, courage, and love spells. Yarrow was hung over honeymoon beds to ensure lasting vows and is used in Chinese I Ching divination.

Medicinal Properties and Uses

• Properties: Antiseptic, anodyne, antimicrobial, aromatic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, inflammatory modulator, relaxing diaphoretic, styptic, vulnerary.
• Uses: Dysmenorrhea, fevers, urinary tract and other infections, varicose veins, wounds.

Harmonizing the Blood and Healing Wounds

• Stops external bleeding and promotes blood clotting with its styptic and astringent properties.
• Antimicrobial action prevents infection in wounds, bites, and scratches.
• Promotes blood flow in cases of varicose veins, hemorrhoids, uterine fibroids, and delayed menses.
• Studies confirm its effectiveness in reducing skin inflammation and healing episiotomy incisions.

Soothing Cold and Flu Symptoms

• As a hot tea, yarrow promotes sweating and supports fever reduction.
• Soothes sore throats, dispels coughs, and alleviates respiratory congestion.

Supporting the Urinary System

• Promotes urination as a diuretic.
• Antimicrobial properties make it effective against urinary tract infections.

Supporting Digestion

• Aromatic and bitter, yarrow supports digestion and can be used in bitters blends or teas.

Repelling Insects

• Fresh yarrow leaves and flowers can be rubbed on the skin or made into a bug spray to deter mosquitoes and other insects.

Ecological Connections

• Wildlife: Yarrow serves as a host plant for butterflies like the painted lady (Vanessa cardui) and provides nectar for moths, bees, hoverflies, and beetles.
• Soil Stabilization: Its rhizomes stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
• Companion Planting: Attracts beneficial insects like predatory wasps and ladybugs.

Harvesting and Storage

• Harvesting Tips:
  • Gather leaves throughout the growing season as needed.
  • Harvest flowers just after they bloom for peak potency.
• Reproduction: Yarrow spreads via rhizomes and seeds. Leave enough flowers to allow for seed dispersal.
• Storage: Dry leaves and flowers and store them in a cool, dark, and dry location.

Harvesting Cautions

• Yarrow resembles some Apiaceae family plants like wild carrot and poison hemlock. Careful identification is essential to avoid confusion.

Gardening Tips

• Propagation: Easily propagated by root divisions or direct seeding.
• Growth Conditions: Drought-tolerant; prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
• Management: Slowly spreads via rhizomes and may require restraint to prevent invasiveness.
• Medicinal Cultivars: Wild white yarrow is most effective for medicinal use; colorful cultivars may have reduced potency.

Warnings and Precautions

• Pregnancy and Lactation: Not safe during pregnancy; consult a healthcare provider if nursing.
• Allergic Reactions: Avoid if allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family (e.g., ragweed, chamomile, dandelion).
• Photosensitivity: Can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight.
• Deep Wounds: Avoid applying yarrow directly to deep wounds to prevent superficial healing that may trap infection.