Day Four: YARROW

Resilient, drought tolerant, fragrant, medicinal and an attractor of beneficial insects, Yarrow is a plant that offers many blessings

A powerful flowered plant, great for colds and fevers as it boosts the body’s ability to “sweat off” an infection, perfect for toning blood circulation and regulating blood pressure, as well for stimulating digestion and healing the intestinal membranes. Make some tea out of it and watch the magic happen. She is also a blessing for pollinators and attracting helpful flying predator insects into your garden space.

yarrow comes in many colors now

History and cultural relevance of Yarrow:

Yarrow is one the world’s oldest medicinal plants and has been used since ancient times.

Yarrow has a colorful list of names, and an even richer and more colorful history of use in European, Native American, and Chinese medicine.

Names include “Todzi-tonega” (Paiute), “Pannonzia” Shoshone, “Waabanooganzh” or “Plant of Life” (Ojibwe), nosebleed plant, “Cathair-thalmhainn” (Scotish-Gealic), 西洋蓍草 in Mandrin and “Biranjasipha” in sanskrit.

Yarrow is common and prolific, native to N America and Eurasia, and ancestors have been using it for a very long time (a 60,000 year old Neanderthal grave in Iraq contained a bed of flowers, including yarrow). The plant has feathery leaves (“Plumajillo”, a Spanish word for yarrow, means little feather), and appears to have an almost endless array of leaves (a common name and species name includes “Milfoil”, meaning a thousand leaves). The ancient Greeks called it Herbe Militaris – the Military Herb – because it was often used to staunch bleeding and support wound healing. The genus name (Achillea) links back to the Greek figure Achilles, who, according to legend, used the plant to treat wounds of warriors.

Mary Siisip Geniusz shares a variety of Anishinaabe spiritual and medicinal connections with yarrow, stating that yarrow (waabanooganzh) is a sacred medicine to her people. Yarrow would be made into a tea and used as a bath to protect the skin of those involved with their fire ceremonies, preventing the fire from burning them.

Yarrow is also Known as “nokwe'sikūn” [perfume reviver] to the First Nation peoples of the Great Lakes Region and “kīshkatoa'soanūk” to the Potawatomi (Bodwéwadmimwen) people of the Prairies.

When it comes to wound healing, yarrow has a long-standing and famous history of being used to cleanse wounds and help control the bleeding of lacerations, puncture wounds, and abrasions. Containing anti-inflammatory and antiseptic oils, as well as astringent tannins and resins, yarrow possesses excellent wound healing gifts. and also contains silica, which will help in repairing damaged tissue.

Yarrow was also considered an herb to avert evil. The Irish used to hang it up on St. John’s Eve to turn away illness and disperse spirits and in many places, it was hung in the home for protection. When going on a journey, you were to pull ten stalks of yarrow, keep nine, and throw the tenth away (as a tithing to the spirits), put the nine under the right heel and then evil spirits would have no power over you.

Yarrow was held in extremely high esteem by the ancient Celtic peoples of the British Isles and therefore had to be gathered with proper ceremony. The Irish are said to have not harvested Yarrow without reciting some formula at the same time such as this beautiful example translated by Carmichael:

“I will pluck the yarrow fair

That more benign will be my face,

That more warm shall be my lips,

That more chaste shall be my speech,

Be my speech the beams of the sun,

Be my lips the sap of the strawberry.

May I be an isle in the sea,

May I be a hill on the shore,

May I be a star in the waning of the moon,

May I be a staff to the weak.

Wound can I every man,

Wound can no man me.””

— CARMICHAEL

Below, herbalist Yarrow Willard explains the legend of Achilles and yarrow:

Nutrition Facts of Yarrow

The nutritional profile of yarrow includes vitamins A and C, potassium, zinc, magnesium, calcium, niacin a variety of flavonoids, rutin, and tannins, as well as coumarins, saponin, cineole, lactones, eugenol, terpineol, and other antioxidants. Furthermore, this herb can provide iron, phosphorous, and sulfur from its leaves.

Medicinal Properties of Yarrow

Yarrow has a vast array of medicinal properties. It’s antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, anti inflammatory, an excellent diaphoretic, vasodilator, febrifuge, haemostatic, diuretic, alterative, digestive, tonic, bitter tonic, hepatic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antihistamine, analgesic, expectorant, an emmenagogue, antiviral, stimulant, tonic, a vasodilator, and vulnerary wound healer.

The volatile oils work as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and diuretic agents. The tannins are aggressive astringents. The alkaloids are both hypotensive and hypoglycemic. Yarrow even has coumarin in its cells which works as an anti-thrombotic to reduce high blood pressure. The bitter compounds the tongue detects are due to flavonoids such as saponins and unpleasant tasting but powerful alkaloids like achilleine, trigonelline and betonicine. These are the secrets to yarrow’s actions in the digestive system, tissues and the blood stream.

Yarrow is a staple of the herbalist’s apothecary. It seems to grow anywhere and everywhere in Canada. The feathery leaves on the stem are topped by a cluster of tiny white flowers.

Yarrow is on top, Queen Anne’s lace on the bottom

The feathery leaves are what gives it the name millefolium - ‘thousands of leaves’. Not to be confused with wild carrot – Queen Anne’s lace – although not poisonous, Queens Anne’s lace forms an umbel of flowers and usually has a little dark dot at the centre, where Queen Anne reputedly pricked her finger and a drop of blood landed on the plant.

Yarrow on the left, Queen Anne’s lace on the right

Rub the yarrow leaves and/or flowers between your fingers, to inhale the camphorous, medicinal scent. The plant has many uses. At the start of a cold or flu, an infusion of yarrow, combined with peppermint, elderflowers, ginger and honey, is an immediate ‘go-to’ remedy. Among other actions, yarrow has a diaphoretic action, that is, it makes you sweat.

Yarrow Tea (Hot) Or Tincture For Fevers

“Fevers are our friend” is longstanding wisdom in the herbal tradition. Now, modern medicine is taking the same view.

“Fever is the body’s normal response to infection — it’s a natural defense mechanism,” Dr. Janice Sullivan, a professor of pediatric clinical care and clinical pharmacology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, told The Washington Post.

She explains that a high temperature triggers the body’s production of infection-fighting white blood cells, which inhibits the growth of viruses and bacteria, and that “If you lower the fever, you may be affecting the body’s ability to respond to that infection.”

Some of the many health benefits of Yarrow:

1. Digestive Support

The Cherokee, Gosiute, Iroquois, and Mohegan nations have traditionally used yarrow for digestive support, which makes since because bitter, aromatic herbs help digestion by stimulating the production of bile and pancreatic juices.

When used internally, yarrow’s bitterness increases digestion as well as the absorption of nutrients by the body. The astringent gifts of yarrow makes her very useful in stopping diarrhea.

Yarrow is most often taken as a tea or a tincture to support digestion and soothe stomach aches.

2. Anti-inflammatory

Yarrow is anti inflammatory in nature. It can efficiently handle inflammation of any types; be it of nasal or respiratory tracts resulting from the common cold or perhaps inflammation of circulatory system caused by any toxin (venom, narcotics etc.) getting into the blood stream.

3. Cardiovascular Support

Because it’s an astringent, yarrow is often used to tone veins, which can be helpful for varicose veins and/or hemorrhoids. The blood moving (vasodilation), cytoprotectant and anti-oxidant properties of yarrow leaves and flowers also make it supportive of overall heart health.

4. Antibiotic and Anti-cancer

The aerial parts of yarrow are also used to help break up phlegm, a common symptom of infection. Extracts of yarrow have been shown to have antibiotic activity and also to act against certain cancer cell types in a test tube.

5. Brain Health

Yarrow has been shown to aid certain brain disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and encephalomyelitis — inflammation of the brain and spinal cord caused by a viral infection.

A recent animal study noted that yarrow extract reduced the severity of encephalomyelitis, as well as the brain inflammation and spinal cord and brain damage it caused.

Plus, a rat study found that yarrow’s antioxidants have anti-seizure effects, making this herb a promising treatment for people with epilepsy.

Additional rat studies indicate that this plant may prevent symptoms of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, such as memory loss and impairments in physical movement and muscle tone

6. Offers Radioprotective Benefits

Including a healthy intake of antioxidant-rich foods offers specific radioprotective properties and can help mitigate the detrimental impact of artificial electromagnetic fields on human biology (which are produced by smart meters, cell phones, cell towers and 5G emitters).

Yarrow does indeed contain a number of compounds that should offer radioprotective benefits (due to potent anti-oxidants and essential oils contained within the foliage of the plant which help with free radical scavenging/DNA protection).

7. Enhances Female Reproductive Health :

   Because Yarrow is a uterine stimulant, it is important not to use this herb after ovulation if you think you may be pregnant. This herb is best used in preparation for pregnancy, or after pregnancy and breastfeeding, to tone the uterus. May also be used to heal stagnant fertility conditions and promote regular menses.

   Yarrow is a traditional tonic to stimulate the uterus to bring on menses. This works well for a boggy, weak uterus. Yarrow aids in toning the muscles of the uterus, as well as increasing muscular activity of the uterus, which serves to initiate menstrual flow. The stimulation of the muscles of the uterus aid in the shedding of the endometrium, stimulating regular menstrual cycles in the absence of pregnancy. This is a wonderful herb for women with absent periods, also known as Amenorrhea. If you have not had a period for a long time, or if your period is late and you know you are not pregnant, Yarrow may aid in bringing on menses. *Do NOT use Yarrow if you think you may be pregnant.

Habitat of the herb:

Meadows, pastures, lawns etc. on all but the poorest soils.

You can find yarrow all over the globe in fields, yards, and sandy soils. It grows from rocky beaches to alpine meadows. This plant is also found in the prairies or areas with less humidity or rainfall. The plant thrives in soils with a pH of 5.1 to 7.5.

It is said that the Plants that grow on wind swept sea cliffs and mountainsides have the strongest medicine. American Achillea lanulosa looks identical to the European A. millefolia and high elevation A. alpina.

Edible parts of Yarrow:

Leaves - raw or cooked. A rather bitter flavour, they make an acceptable addition to mixed salads and are best used when young. The leaves are also used as a hop-substitute for flavouring and as a preservative for beer etc. Although in general yarrow is a very nutritious and beneficial plant to add to the diet, it is wise to enjoy in moderation. An aromatic tea is made from the flowers and leaves. An essential oil from the flowering heads is used as a flavouring for soft drinks.

Uses

The flavor of yarrow is sweet but also somewhat bitter with an anise-like scent. It’s often compared to tarragon. When using it in cooked dishes, keep in mind that it’s a soft herb and high heat destroys its flavor. Fresh or dried it can be used to flavor beans, soups, or as a bitter agent in beer or beverage-making (like hops).

Yarrow uses in cooking include the following:

Younger leaves can be used in soups or stews similar to how you would use a delicate leafy green like spinach.

The leaves can also be dried and used as an herb in cooking.

The dried or fresh herb can be substituted for tarragon in recipes.

For sautéed dishes, add it at the very end.

Use it to make infused vinegars and oils.

Fresh, young leaves and flowers can be used in salads.

How much yarrow to use:

Herbalist Rosalee de la Foret recommends the following adult doses:

• Yarrow tea: 1tsp/8ounces of water steeped 30 minutes, up to 3-9g/day

• Fresh yarrow plant tincture of 1:2 ratio in 95% alcohol, 2-5mL/day

• Dry yarrow plant tincture of 1:5 ratio in 40% alcohol, 2-5mL/day

How To Make Yarrow Tea :

Add 1 teaspoon of dried (or 1 tbsp fresh) yarrow flower to one cup of boiling water. Cover and steep for 30 minutes, then strain and serve.

How Make Yarrow Tincture :

you can make your own 1:5 tincture (as recommended above) using the method below.

Mix 1 ounce dried yarrow (by weight) with 5 ounces (by volume) of 80 proof or higher alcohol and allow it to infuse for six to eight weeks. Strain and store in a dark glass dropper bottle. The tincture can be used as a mosquito repellent when applied to the skin, but always make sure you test it on a small area first, especially if you have sensitive skin.

How to make Infused Oil :

Making an infused oil with yarrow is easy, and this serves as a useful treatment for wounds, inflamed muscles, and bruises. Its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties helps to reduce varicose vein swelling. Just grind up some dried leaves and flowers, place them in a glass jar, and cover with a carrier oil in a 1:4 ratio, with one part dried plant matter and four parts oil.

You can use any kind of high-quality neutral carrier oil that you prefer.

Seal the jar tightly with a lid and set it in a dark place for a few weeks, shaking daily to agitate the mixture.

You can also choose to leave the jar in the sun to heat infuse for the first few days. Be sure to move it to a cool, dark location for the remainder of the infusing time.

After 4-6 weeks, strain the oil and use it as is, or try melting in some beeswax and essential oils to make an herbal salve. This can be stored in tins or jars in a cool, dark place.

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Here is a lovely article that provides more info on this beautiful plant :

My Love Affair With Queen Yarrow

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Yarrow in the Garden

Humans are not the only beings to make use of the many gifts of yarrow.

Birds use leaves to line their nests, and studies suggest it reduces parasite pressure in nests of baby birds. And take care not to disturb the pollinators or butterfly larvae that also use this plant.

Gardening and Gathering Yarrow

I have never had to plant yarrow in my garden in BC or Ontario. It pops up in spots I neglect effortlesly. It prefers the full sun with dry soil but grows easily under maple trees in the drought garden by the street. You can pick it in sand dunes, on top of mountains and along the edge of a neglected apple orchard. This rangy perennial grows in zones 3-10 and range wildly in height from 6-48 inches.

Gardeners living in deer country can grow this herb without fear of unwelcome grazers. It’s been propagated in a wide variety of heights and colors for its beauty in the garden as well as for how well it dries. From its native white to a soft pink often called Apple Blossom, to the dark golden yellows and reds, all varieties of yarrow are reputed to be excellent medicine. If you plan to use yarrow in dried arrangements, plant one of the varieties that boasts large and sturdy flower heads on long, straight stems.

In a similar way to dandelions and nettle, this plant has extensive roots that draw nutrients from deep within the soil.

It can bring potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper to the surface, improving the soil quality for other plants when used as a mulch material or added to the compost pile.

Some gardeners also use yarrow instead of comfrey to make a tea fertilizer to apply as a soil conditioner.

Because it is drought tolerant and can grow in poor, dry soils, it is also useful for combating erosion. It is sometimes even used as a drought tolerant lawn replacement in xeriscaping.

The beautiful flowers attract beneficial insects such as predatory wasps, which eat common garden pests and pollinate other plants.

I have observed that Parasitoid Wasps (such as Tiphia vernalis and Tiphia popilliavora) particularily enjoy foraging for yarrow nectar in our garden. These are important insects in the food chain because these parasitic wasps contribute to the mortality of Japanese and of oriental beetle grubs. The first species is the spring Tiphia or Tiphia vernalis. These wasps are active from May to early June and they attack the 3rd instars grubs (overwintered, oldest grubs). The second species is the summer Tiphia or Tiphia popilliavora. The summer Tiphia attack 2nd or 3rd instar grubs from August to early September. The wasps are solitary therefore they do not form nests. Tiphia females live for about a month and may lay 40-50 eggs on as many different grubs.

Many parasitoid wasp species visit flowers to obtain nectar and/or pollen that provide essential nutrients. This in turn has been shown for many parasitoid species to improve fecundity, longevity and increase rates of parasitism (so more flowers that provide food for the parasitic wasps means less japanese beetles and other 'pests').

Therefore, leaving some yarrow growing in your yard (or intentionally planting it in your garden not only provides increased pollination rates, beauty and medicine but also may help you control the numbers of Japanese Beetles in your garden.

In a new food forest, you’ll want to protect the soil until the trees have matured and begin to provide shade. A mixed cover crop can be used in this less-visited area to build soil, mine minerals, break up compacted soil, and attract beneficial insects.

In Gaia’s Garden, Toby Hemenway suggests the following mix that includes yarrow, mowing just once or twice per year:

• annual rye

• clovers

• daikon radish

• dill

• fennel

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I hope you found this information helpful and will try foraging for (and/or cultivating) some yarrow and find peace of mind in the knowing that you are surrounded in food and medicine.

If we learn from Mother Nature and accept her open hand we can thrive and nurture our bodies in any and all situations (while staying guided by integrity and love).

We can align our wealth and health with the health and wealth of the living Earth and through merging with her regenerative capacity and inherent abundance we can become irrepressible. We are the ones we have been waiting for.

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For more information on Yarrow :

Yarrow: The Wound Healer:

- https://thepracticalherbalist.com/advanced-herbalism/yarrow-the-wound-healer/

- http://wildfoodsandmedicines.com/yarrow/

- https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/yarrow#

Yarrow the garden enhancer:

“Why and How To Grow Yarrow In A Permaculture Food Forest” : https://redemptionpermaculture.com/why-and-how-to-grow-yarrow-in-a-permaculture-food-forest/

“5 Reasons to Grow Yarrow in Your Garden” : https://www.tenthacrefarm.com/grow-yarrow/