Yarrow |
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| Common Name | Yarrow |
| Scientific Name | Achillea millefolium |
| Yarrow is also called Old Man's Pepper, Knight's Milfoil, Soldier's Woundwort, Nosebleed, Devil's Plaything, Bloodwort, Hemming and Sewing, Staunchweed, Carpenter's Weed, Thousand Seal, and Sanguinary. Yarrow's Latin name, Achillea millefolium, derives from Greek mythology: Before the siege of Troy, the centaur Chiron told Achilles of the plant's healing virtues so he could use it on his warriors' battle wounds. Millefolium means "a thousand leaves," and refers to yarrow's finely cut foliage. An important first-aid treatment through the centuries, yarrow's astringency is thought to stem the flow of internal and external bleeding. Herbalists also have faith in yarrow tea to induce perspiration, cleanse the system, and cure a bad cold. Straight dried yarrow stems are "thrown" by Chinese fortune-tellers before consulting the I- Ching-the Book of Changes, an ancient guide to oracular wisdom. | |
| Plant | Perennial, hardy to - 30ºF (- 34ºC). The creeping rootstock sends up clumps of greyish-green stems, which branch toward the top and bear alternate, feathery, deeply cut leaves. From June to November, grayish-white, pale lavender, or yellow flowers appear at the stem ends in flat-topped clusters. |
| Height | 3 feet. |
| Soil | Average or poor. Well-drained. Moderate moisture. |
| Exposure | Sun or partial shade. |
| Propagation | Seeds planted indoors in March during the third lunar phase. More commonly, by root division in spring or fall or transplant of self-sown seedlings. |
| Care | Place plants 12 inches apart. If they are cut back after the first flowers fade, they may bloom again in fall. Divide clumps every other year. |
| Part used for Tea | Leaves and/or flowers gathered during summer and fall. |
| Taste | Mildly astringent. Somewhat like a mild sage tea. Pale yellow in colour. |
| How to Brew | BY INFUSION: 1 teaspoon dried yarrow leaves and flowers, or 1 tablespoon of the fresh herb, in 1 covered cup of boiling water. Steep for about 10 minutes. Strain. Sweeten with honey to taste. |
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