For those unfamiliar with Yarrow, it is technically called Achillea millefolium. This latin name comes from the Greek hero Achilles. Yarrow was used during the Trojan war to treat wounds. If fresh leaves are wrapped onto a wound in a poultice they encourage clotting and aid in healing. Some people still use yarrow leaves for cuts and grazes. It is a perennial herb. Yarrow is a highly versatile remedy, with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic volatile oils, and astringent tannins.
My purpose for growing yarrow is to treat hayfever, allergy problems, colds, flu, coughs and sore throats. For this you use the flowers and aerial parts. Today my flowers hit full-bloom stage, so it was time to clip it. I took my kitchen scissors and clipped each blooming stalk about one foot below the flowers. The stem-end is then wrapped with string and it gets hung in a warm, dry place to dry out. I hang mine in my garage. When it is dry I separate the flowers from the aerial parts.
From the flowers an infusion can be made. This can be drank for upper respiratory phlegm or used externally as a wash for eczema. The flowers can also be added fresh into boiling water and inhaled to ease hay fever and mild asthma.Fresh eucalyptus and peppermint can also be added to the boiling water to clear the sinuses. A yarrow infusion/tea(8oz.) can be drank three times a day. Combined with other herbs, yarrow tea is good for colds and flu.For colds add echinacea and goldenseal. For coughs add marshmallow root, licorice and slippery elm to the yarrow. For sore throats add slippery elm, marshmallow root, goldenseal and licorice. Yarrow is also a tonic to the nervous system.
The aerial parts get cut into small pieces when they are dried. From these an infusion can be made and used to reduce fevers(causes sweating so the fever breaks) and as a digestive tonic. Yarrow stimulates circulation and can be used for high blood pressure.A tincture can also be made from the aerial parts. As a tincture take 1ml (20 drops) three times a day. The tincture is used for urinary disorders, menstruel problems and to improve cardiovascular health. Yarrow helps regulate the menstrual cycle, reduces heavy bleeding, and eases menstrual pain. The aerial parts can also be used in a compress to soothe varicose veins and phlebitis.. Just soak a gauze pad in the infusion or diluted tincture and place over the veins or affected area.
If you have no need of the herb, you will still enjoy the beautiful flowers this plant produces. They are small white flowers that grow in large clusters. Even the fern-like leaves are a nice addition to a bouquet.
