Yarrow is an herb of magic and medicine. A flowering plant native to the northern hemisphere yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is commonly used in folk medicine and herbology. Yarrow's benefits come from its toxic compounds.
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In the family Asteraceae, it's related to sunflower and daisy. Yarrow grows to 1 metre (3.3 ft ) tall and has a strong sweet scent. Visually Yarrow can resemble Queen Anne's lace or wild carrot (Daucus carota) and poison hemlock (Conium maculatum).
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Common yarrow is frequently found in the mildly disturbed soil of grasslands and open forests. Active growth occurs in spring. In the wild yarrow is white or, more rarely, pink. Cultivars are known for dramatic colors.
Native to the Old World, yarrow Achillea millefolium is introduced to North America by European immigrants. The plant grows from sea level to 3,500 m (11,500 ft) in elevation. Like plants of the nightshade family, yarrow prefers to grow in recently disturbed soil.
Yarrow is used in animal feed, but comes with warnings. The unprocessed plant can be toxic to dogs, cats, and in large amounts cause adverse effects in humans, cattle and horses.
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Manifestations of yarrow poisoning:
allergic skin rashes
induced menstruation
miscarriage
increased urination
increased salivation
brown urine
vomiting, diarrhea
dermatitis
abnormal sperm
If eaten by cows, yarrow gives an unpleasant flavor to the milk. This effect could be blamed on witches and witchcraft in history. Small amounts of yarrow are scientifically proven to improve blood circulation in livestock.
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Yarrow has been found in Neanderthal burials, suggesting use by humans at least 60,000 years ago. Despite its natural toxins, used by the plant used to discourage insects such as aphids and deter wild browsers, the entire plant is edible and has a high nutritious value.
Traditionally, yarrow is:
Applied to the skin for wounds and minor bleeding.
Taken by mouth to reduce inflammation and digestive problems
In tea or capsule form, as a sedative to relieve anxiety or insomnia.
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Health problems arise with over-consumption. Flowers and leaves have a bitter taste due to astringent acids. They're used in some liquors. Yarrow can be an ingredient in bitters, an herbal infusion taken after a meal to aid digestion.
Spiritually yarrow is a plant connected with healing and love. Originally it's a medicinal herb documented by the Greeks. Yarrow is ruled by planet Venus and element water.
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Leaves can be brewed as tea. In the Middle Ages, yarrow is part of the herbal mixture gruit. It's used to flavor beer before the use of hops.
Gruit is particular to each region and brewer. Its components can vary and the recipe is passed from a knowledgeable woman to the brewer, who is sworn to secrecy.
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The main ingredients of gruit may include:
Common heather (Calluna vulgaris).
Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea)
Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
Sweet gale (Myrica gale)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
... And more. Yarrow is a principle medical herb for the army in ancient times. It's called Herba militaris in the Classical era, used during battles to stop bleeding.
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Yarrow essential oil is a deep midnight blue. The oil is extracted by steam distillation of yarrow flowers. The chemicals giving yarrow its properties comes from chamazulene (proazulene), a blue-violet chemical compound derived from organic compound azulene.
Azulene is biosynthesized from matricin by such plants as chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium).
It kills the larvae of the invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus.
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In folk medicine the plant A. millefolium is used for various purposes including:
astringent properties
mild laxative (leaves).
to heal wounds and stop bleeding (crushed leaves)
Before the introduction of yarrow to North America, indigenous people use its native relatives such as western yarrow to treat toothache, earache and indigestion, and as insect repellent.
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Fresh flowering heads of yarrow are used in tinctures or concentrated herbal extracts. Smoked, yarrow leaves are thought to relieve congestion of the lungs.
Yarrow is also called Nosebleed Plant, Milfoil, Thousand-leaf, Soldier's Woundwort, Devil's Nettle, Devil's Plaything, Bad Man's Plaything, and Yarroway. In Sweden it's known as Field Hops. In Chinese tradition yarrow is considered a lucky plant.
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It's called Devil's nettle because it's thought to be a favorite plant of the Christian devil due to its association with magical sight. Leaves placed on the eyes are considered capable of inducing that gift.
Yarrow may be used in magic to produce visions or trance states. In large doses yarrow is psychoactive. In small doses it's considered to heighten the senses. Spiritually yarrow clears neural pathways to enhance hearing and vision.
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The plant is thought to receive its Latin name Achillea millefolium because Achilles uses it at the battle of Troy c. 1200 BCE to staunch wounds of soldiers. Achilles himself is killed by Paris of Troy with an arrow to the heel. In Greece yarrow is a symbol of war.
Yarrow has been popular in Irish lore for love divination. A girl cultivates a yarrow plant and places it under her pillow to dream of her soulmate. At weddings, yarrow represents a guarantee of seven years of love.
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Birds such as starlings use yarrow to line their nests, taking advantage of the plant's insect repellent properties to protect from parasites. Pollinators love yarrow due to its dense clusters of florets.
Achillea millefolium is cultivated as an ornamental plant with bright yellow, red and purple flowers. Yarrow enjoys the company of other plants and is often part of natural landscaping.
It's tolerant of drought and dry soils, and may be found in wildlife or butterfly gardens.
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Yarrow is effective as a medicinal herb and considered safe by health authorities for international consumption. Allergies may flare in people with daisy sensitivity.
Today, it's still used mainly as a tonic and as a cure for stomach disorders. Yarrow is an ingredient in over 20 pharmaceutical products and is popular in commercial European herbal remedies.
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It connects with the seventh chakra. Yarrow is used for divination and love spells. It's also considered effective in spells for contacting or locating a specific person. Worn as a charm, yarrow is said to protect the wearer and bestow courage.
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