Yearning for Yarrow

COMMON/FOLKLORE NAMES: Milfoil, Arrowroot, Old Man's Pepper, Soldier's Woundwort, Knight's Milfoil, Knyghten, Seven Year's Love, Thousand Weed, Nose Bleed, Carpenters Weed, Bloodwort, Staunchweed, Devil's Nettle, Devil's Plaything, Yarroway

NOTES: Taking Yarrow regularly may cause sensitivity to sunlight in some people. Since the flower heads are often used, be aware of possible allergic reaction if you are sensitive to pollens. Do not take Yarrow prior to or during recovery from surgery. Always let your doctor know if you are taking Yarrow.

PARTS USED: Ariel Parts: Leaves, Stems and Flowers

HISTORICAL REFERENCES: Yarrow is certainly one of those herbs which tells us most about its properties though its common and folkloric names! Yarrow has a rich tradition both medicinally and in 'ailments of the spirit', and its use in fighting melancholy and depression are found throughout its lengthy history. In the Scottish Highlands, "Milfoil tea" is still given for melancholy to this day. Just remember 'Yarrow for Sorrow"...combating it, that is!

As far as 'maladies of the spirit', Yarrow has long had a reputation for being an herb of courage. In fact, history has reference to the Romans having used yarrow and nettles to combat fear and self-negation.

In mythology, Yarrow is the plant which Achilles used to stanch the bleeding wounds of his soldiers, hence the name of the genus "Achillea". Some say it was a different Achilles altogether. However, either way, Yarrow has a long history in ancient cultures as the "military herb", as shown by its older names of Soldier's Wound Wort and Knight's Milfoil. The Scottish Highlanders still make an ointment of Yarrow for wounds.

For a time, Yarrow was actually quite popularly used as a snuff, hence the common name of Old Man's Pepper.

MEDICINAL USES: Yarrow was "formerly much esteemed as a vulnerary", as many of its folk names imply, and is just as valuable today. Here are just a few of Yarrow's suggested medicinal uses...

- Yarrow tea is a good remedy for severe colds, especially when taken just at the start of a fever. In fact, Yarrow is one of the best known herbs for dry fevers, especially those accompanying 'eruptive' diseases in children such as measles.

M. Grieve in A Modern Herbal recommends an infusion of 1 oz dried Yarrow to 1 pint boiling water, taken warm "in wineglass full doses", with added honey to sweeten and a little Cayenne pepper to "open the pores freely and purify the blood".

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