Healthy Living

Like many herbs used in herbal therapies, Yarrow has an ancient history. The generic name comes from Achilles who, according to legend, saved the lives of his warriors by healing their wounds with yarrow leaves. Crushed and rolled in the hands, the plant provides a temporary styptic to check blood flow. Millefolium means 'thousand leaves', which were reputed to help binding a wound and scab formation. One of this astringent herb's ancient names is 'Soldier's Woundwort', along with 'Carpenter's Weed', 'Staunchweed' and others that show its popularity and prolonged use over many centuries.

Medicinal Applications of Yarrow

This amazing medicinal herbal tea can help with colds and flu, and also help you see in pure color. The herb tea has also been used in the past for stimulating appetite, helping stomach cramps, flatulence, gastritis, enteritis, gallbladder and liver problems and internal hemorrhage - particularly of the lungs. It's effect is described as 'diaphoretic', causing the dilation of surface capillaries and helping poor circulation. The promotion of sweating can be useful for fevers and colds. Yarrow mixed with Elderflower and Peppermint (sometimes Boneset) is an old remedy for colds. A decoction of yarrow has been used for all sorts of external wounds and sores from chapped skin to sore nipples. Yarrow leaves have also been used in tobacco or snuff mixtures and a decoction rubbed into the head is said to delay balding

In China, Yarrow is still considered to have sacred properties. Readers of the I Ching often use Yarrow stalks in their studies.

Side Effects of this Medicinal Herb

There is one danger to overuse of yarrow internally. Prolonged use of this natural herb may render the skin sensitive to light exposure. Limiting exposure to sunlight, and taking precautions to protect the skin is advised when using Yarrow as a medicinal herb.

This particular 'side effect', in fact, shows that Yarrow tea has some mild psychotropic effects. A couple of cups of this tea and you may notice a shift in the color and intensity of light around you. For artists or photographers, this photosensitization can sometimes provide a useful shift in perception. Through history, however, this property was less welcome. For example, another name attributed to Yarrow is 'Devil's Plaything' - one suspects that this name was given to several natural herbs used by the witches or 'Wise Women' who were systematically exterminated in the middle-ages in Europe.

Making Yarrow Tea

To make Yarrow herbal tea, add two or three fresh or dried leaves per person to boiling water and leave to infuse for 5 minutes or so. Sweeten this with honey if you like. Some people like it with a slice of lemon to give this tisane a clean edge.

Thanks to C. Esplan, D. Hoffman, J. Lust, R. Phillips