By Caitlin Potere
Yarrow is an indispensable herb that you’ll always find growing in my herb garden. Its versatility is formidable, making it an excellent tool in your herbal medicine kit. If you asked an herbalist what single plant they would bring with them to a deserted island, their answer will most likely be “Yarrow!” It’s used to control bleeding, heal bruises and wounds, treat the symptoms of colds and flus, and has beneficial anti-inflammatory and healing effects on the gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract. The Latin name is Achillea millefolium, named after the Greek myth of Achilles—in the story, Achilles is given Yarrow to help heal the injuries of his soldiers. Other interesting nicknames for this plant include “Master of the Blood,” “Wounded Healer,” and “Woundwort.”
Yarrow is a classic herb for treating symptoms of viral diseases like colds and flus for all ages. It combines well with peppermint and elder flower to make a pleasant tasting tea. Yarrow has powerful styptic (stop bleeding) properties. Apply the tincture, powdered dried herb, or crushed fresh herb directly. Topical application is also useful for a variety of injuries including sprains, bruises, rashes, insect bites, cuts, and abrasions. (An infused herbal oil can work nicely here.) Yarrow is also extremely useful for dental health. The leaves and flowers can be chewed for mild oral pain relief. A mouthwash made with tea or tincture has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory actions that can be helpful for sores, gum disease, and ulcerations.
Yarrow has a pungent, bitter flavor that stimulates digestion. It can be taken as a tea or tincture to help with indigestion and bloating. Many herbalists use Yarrow as part of a larger protocol to treat leaky gut syndrome and other gastrointestinal issues because of its anti-inflammatory effects on the gastric mucosa (stomach lining). Several studies indicate that Yarrow can help prevent ulcers and stomach inflammation. Some people find that drinking a daily cup of Yarrow tea during their cycle helps relieve painful menstrual cramping. Yarrow is a multidimensional herb that has healing effects all over the body. It is both a beginner’s herb and an advanced herb. The longer you study it, the more uses you will find.
Yarrow also has a spiritual dimension. Yarrow is a deeply protective plant on the spiritual level. The dried plant can be placed around the home or carried in a medicine bag or locket as a protective charm. White Yarrow flower essence is one of my favorite essences. As a flower essence, Yarrow helps us develop and maintain the integrity of healthy boundaries. You may identify as an empath, or you feel like you often “take on” or “absorb” other peoples’ energy. White Yarrow flower essence helps reinforce the energetic boundaries between ourselves, and others, and prevents the transmission of unhealthy or negative energies. It feels like a protective field of white light is surrounding you and encouraging you to respond from a higher perspective. You can learn how to make flower essences from your own garden plants. Alternatively, local herbalist Bronwen Gates makes a wonderful product called “Yarrow Protection Magic,” which is available at Castle Remedies.
Yarrow is a very handsome plant that has wild native populations growing throughout North America, as well as many varieties that have been developed by gardeners for beauty and color. When you’re purchasing seeds or seedlings for medicinal use, ensure that they are Achillea millefolium (common yarrow), which is the “wild” species and grows clusters of white flowers. Garden-bred varieties usually have a special name like “Golden Yarrow” and come in colors ranging from bright yellows, to pinks, reds, and oranges.
Fall is the perfect time of year to plant Yarrow seeds—this is the time that wild Yarrow plants are going to seed! Yarrow can be direct seeded in your garden in late fall or early spring. It’s a perennial plant that will keep coming back year after year. It’s not picky, either—Yarrow grows in standard garden soil or poor, depleted soils, and doesn’t require any extra watering. Choose a spot in full sun, scatter the seeds, and gently tamp them into the surface of the soil. The seeds are very small, so you may consider this trick: mix them with sand to make them easier to strew. Alternatively, you can sow the seeds in a flat and transplant them later. Space plants about 18” apart.
Both the flowers and the leaves are used medicinally. Gather the flowers at their peak when they are pearly white and vibrant. This is usually mid-summer and a great time to gather the leaves, too. The leaves should be green and lush, giving a strong medicinal smell when crushed. I recommend harvesting entire stalks and hanging them to dry. If you don’t have space for hang-drying, you can gather flowers and leaves separately, and lay them in single layers on window screens or in a dehydrator. For hang-drying and screen drying, place in a cool, dark, dry area with good air circulation for 2 – 4 weeks until crisp-dry. For a dehydrator, dry on a low heat setting (between 95⁰F and 105⁰F) and check every eight to 12 hours for dryness. Store for one to three years in an airtight container, ideally with a food-grade silica packet.
Some safety information for your consideration: Yarrow is in the aster plant family and should be avoided by people with severe ragweed allergies. Avoid internal use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Excessive doses may cause nausea and vomiting.
Caitlin Potere is an herbalist and enthusiastic Project Grow community gardener. Potere manages Castle Remedies, a holistic pharmacy in Ann Arbor, and she is also a coordinator of the annual Great Lakes Herb Faire. You can contact her by email at caitlin@castleremdies.com.
If you would like to learn more about adding herbs to your garden, check out Potere’s free online class: Herbs for the Michigan Gardener, which covers 20 different medicinal and culinary herbs suited for the southeast Michigan garden. It’s pre-recorded so you can watch at your own pace. Visit CastleRemedies.com and click on “Classes.”
Related Content:
A community garden is like a little shared oasis, a special spot where folks from all walks of life come together to grow delicious veggies, fragrant herbs, and beautiful flowers. It becomes a green sanctuary, where members roll up their sleeves, dig in the dirt, and let nature work its magic. Often organic, community gardens help promote soil health and community connection as much as they do delicious, locally grown food.