Yarrow

by Gudrun Maybaum
Autumn 2002

Common name: Yarrow
Botanical name: Achillea Millefolium
Family name: N.O. Compositae

Yarrow is one of the earliest known herbs. The fossilized pollen of yarrow has been found in Neanderthal burial caves dating back 60,000 years. Since ancient times, it has been used as a medicinal plant and magical potion.

Two of the tales of how it got its scientific name, Achilla Millefolium, involve Greek mythology. Achillos, an ancient Greek doctor, is said to have cured a seriously wounded warrior named Telph with it. The other one claims that the Greek hero Achilles gave it to his soldiers to stop the bleeding of their wounds during the war against Troy.

In the English herbal tradition, yarrow was one of the "allheal" plants. People used it as an astringent, and as a salve to heal sores, In addition, they chewed the leaves to lessen toothaches. To the Navajo, it was the life medicine and used as a general panacea. Other native Americans used it as an infusion for earaches. Early settlers drank a tea made from it for urinary problems, head colds and many more ailments. Its stems and leaves have been used not only to stop bleeding by pressing them on the wound, but for burns and bruises as well.

Yarrow can be found in lawns, meadows, pastures, and very often by the roadside, all over Europe, West Asia and North America.

Yarrow belongs to the stimulant category, which is reputed to increase energy, stimulate circulation, break up obstructions, warm the body, and stop internal bleeding. So far, scientists have identified more than 100 active chemical compounds in yarrow.

The magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus contained in yarrow aid bone formation, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission. The high concentrates of these minerals also help with muscle spasms, depression, hypertension, muscle weakness, nausea, lack of coordination, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Yarrow's high content of the volatile oils achilletin and achilleine puts it in the bitter herb category. Like most bitter herbs, yarrow helps to purify the blood of waste material. The volatile oils it contains absorb impurities and break them down into forms which are more easily eliminated from the body. One such impurity is uric acid crystals in the blood, the elimination of which helps prevent or ease gout. It also helps balance liver function and secretion production in the alimentary system.

The tannin in yarrow acts as an astringent which firms and tones tissue, especially of the internal organs, that can become flaccid and inefficient through consumption of certain foods or exposure to a toxic environment. It also works as an antiseptic and a virus inhibitor (antiviral), and can kill other harmful microorganisms. The pain-relieving ability of yarrow is thought to be due to its prostaglandin-inhibiting action.

Excessive use of yarrow can cause headaches and skin irritation. The essential oil is very powerful and should not be used with birds.

Yarrow grows almost everywhere at sunny sites. The small clusters of pinkish-white flowers that bloom from summer to autumn contain more of the valuable medical properties, although the stems and leaves can also be used. The best time to gather yarrow is late morning, when the sun has just dried off the dew.

References:
The Little Herb Encyclopedia, Jack Ritchason, N.D.
Herbal Medicine, Sharol Tilgner, N.D.
The Herbal Handbook, David Hoffman
The Way Of Herbs, Michael Tierra, L.A.C., O.M.D
10 Essential Herbs, Lalitha Thomas
http://www.friedli.com/herbs/yarrow.html
http://www.allsands.com/Health/Alternative/yarrowherb_zix_gn.htm
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/y/yarrow02.html
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/g2603/0007/2603000743/p1/article.jhtml
http://www.holisticonline.com/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h313.htm
http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?PageType=article&ID=1769