Yarrow
Latin: Achillea millefolium
Family: Asteraceae (with the original name Compositae)
Family: Asteraceae (with the original name Compositae)
Yarrow was named Achillea by Linnaeus because the plant is mentioned in the Iliad as having been used by Achilles, on the instruction of Chiron, to heal the wounds of his soldiers.
Yarrow is a plant of Fire and Air, of Angels, Feathers, and the Sun. Medicinally speaking, Yarrow is best known for its wound-healing ability – staunching blood from the smallest to deepest cuts, providing antibacterial protection and pain relief while knitting broken tissues together with its feathery, lance-like leaves.
Its flowers are most often white, especially when found growing wild, although they may also be found in a range of lovely-soft pastel pinks and lavenders. This white and pastel color signature, along with its feathery leaves indicates yarrow’s signature of purity and protection, and yarrow’s medicinal properties perfectly reflect these qualities.
Its flowers are most often white, especially when found growing wild, although they may also be found in a range of lovely-soft pastel pinks and lavenders. This white and pastel color signature, along with its feathery leaves indicates yarrow’s signature of purity and protection, and yarrow’s medicinal properties perfectly reflect these qualities.
The genus Achillea L. belongs to Asteraceae (Compositae) plant family. Achillea contains around 130 flowering and perennial species, plants within this genus typically have hairy and aromatic leaves and flat clusters of small flowers on the top of the stem.
Native to temperate regions of the northern hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia, this magical herb has been used medicinally for thousands of years in many cultures around the world. It has been used traditionally by Native Peoples throughout history, considered a sacred ‘Life Medicine’ by the Navajo people.
Native to temperate regions of the northern hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia, this magical herb has been used medicinally for thousands of years in many cultures around the world. It has been used traditionally by Native Peoples throughout history, considered a sacred ‘Life Medicine’ by the Navajo people.
"Feathery, lance-shaped leaves, alternately arranged, aromatic, and finally dissected along the midrib, range in color from dark green to light grayish green and become smaller in size and shorter-stalked as they climb the stem. From mid spring to mid-autumn, numerous composite flower heads bloom in flat to round-topped clusters. Several whorls of dry, overlapping bracts cup each flower head, which is made up of 3 to 12 usually white but sometimes pinkish ray flowers and 10 to 75 pale yellow to cream-colored disk flowers." (Scott Kloos, Pacific Northwest Medicinal Plants)
Properties & Actions
Antipyretic, Diaphoretic, Peripheral vasodilator, Hypotensive, Venous Tonic, Astringent, Anti-hemorrhagic, Anti-catarrhal, Hemostatic/Styptic, Diuretic, Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory, Spasmolytic, Digestive bitter, Vulnerary
Benefits & Uses
“Yarrow, when administered hot and copiously, will raise the heat of the body, equalize the circulation, and produce perspiration. It opens the pores freely by relaxing the skin, and it purifies the blood of toxins. Yarrow regulates the liver and the secretions of the entire alimentary canal; It tones the mucous membranes of the stomach and bowels, and is healing to the glandular system. Yarrow will never weaken a patient, because of its tonic action.” (Dr. Christopher)
- Yarrow tea makes an excellent sitz bath that helps heal hemorrhoids and post-childbirth vaginal tissue.
- Yarrow tea is also helpful for digestive issues relating to leaky gut and ulcers.
- As a tincture, it can be helpful in slowing excessive menstrual bleeding, particularly during peri-menopause. It is also an herb that was commonly carried by midwives to help prevent postpartum hemorrhaging.
- The leaves can be placed in the nose in order to staunch the blood from nosebleeds.
"Yarrow embodies opposites. It stops bleeding and moves stagnant blood, stimulates and relaxes, grounds and uplifts, and opens and enhances sensorial experience while providing energetic protection.
Yarrow leaves stop bleeding from the smallest cuts to the deepest wounds, prevent infection, and relieve pain in wounded areas. Chew the leaves in the field to make a poultice or apply the tincture, oil, or salve to speed the healing of cuts and abrasions.
In the same way it closes physical wounds, Yarrow also seals holes in the energetic body. If you feel overwhelmed while entering a room full of people, take small doses of yarrow leaf and flower tincture to strengthen and firm your energetic boundaries. Small doses of the tincture also open up the senses to enhance visual acuity and auditory perception.
Yarrow leaves move stagnant blood. To initiate a delayed or sluggish menses, especially when clotting is present, take the tincture or the tea. Apply the leaf oil or a wash of the leaves to clear stagnant blood from improperly healed bruises." (Scott Kloos, Pacific Northwest Medicinal Plants)
Yarrow leaves stop bleeding from the smallest cuts to the deepest wounds, prevent infection, and relieve pain in wounded areas. Chew the leaves in the field to make a poultice or apply the tincture, oil, or salve to speed the healing of cuts and abrasions.
In the same way it closes physical wounds, Yarrow also seals holes in the energetic body. If you feel overwhelmed while entering a room full of people, take small doses of yarrow leaf and flower tincture to strengthen and firm your energetic boundaries. Small doses of the tincture also open up the senses to enhance visual acuity and auditory perception.
Yarrow leaves move stagnant blood. To initiate a delayed or sluggish menses, especially when clotting is present, take the tincture or the tea. Apply the leaf oil or a wash of the leaves to clear stagnant blood from improperly healed bruises." (Scott Kloos, Pacific Northwest Medicinal Plants)
Yarrow Flower Essence
"Yarrow offers protection from negative influences such as radioactive fallout and thought forms from psychic attack or extreme emotionalism. It does this by enhancing the aura. It balances the upper and lower poles in the body. The umbrella-shaped yarrow flowers disrupt radiation waves because radiation travels at those same peculiar angles and is dispersed when it meets a similar field. Pink Yarrow essence is more for protection against negative emotions, while white yarrow offers better protection against radiation.
Negative emotions being projected towards someone can be stopped by Yarrow. It stabilizes a person working with emotionally disturbed people, so that they do not become too empathic with those people.
Telepathy and levitation can gradually develop when Yarrow is ingested over a period of time. if applied externally, it stimulates the aura, and it is a good tonic for the meridians." (Gurudas, Flower Essences and Vibrational Healing)
Negative emotions being projected towards someone can be stopped by Yarrow. It stabilizes a person working with emotionally disturbed people, so that they do not become too empathic with those people.
Telepathy and levitation can gradually develop when Yarrow is ingested over a period of time. if applied externally, it stimulates the aura, and it is a good tonic for the meridians." (Gurudas, Flower Essences and Vibrational Healing)
Role in Detox
Yarrow places a significant role in the process of healing and detoxification. That is its ability to induce sweating. Along with the Liver and Digestive System, the Kidneys, Lungs, and Lymphatic System, one of the body’s primary methods of eliminating toxins is through the Integumentary System, or Skin, and especially through the process of sweating. (The skin is often referred to as the ‘Third Kidney,’ because it removes acids and toxins from the blood.) The medicinal action of promoting sweating is known in herbalism as ‘diaphoretic.’ Yarrow is a supreme diaphoretic herb.
In Dr. Morse’s ‘Detox Miracle Sourcebook,’ from the section describing the ‘cold sheet method,’ a hydrotherapy method involving a hot bath to induce sweating followed by wrapping up in an ice-cold sheet to further remove toxins from the body, he says, “I suggest drinking a hot herbal tea made from Yarrow or Ginger Root to increase this heat-inducing process and to maintain hydration. As the heat begins to dilate or open the skin, coupled with the diaphoretic properties of the herbs, especially Yarrow, you will begin to sweat. This also stimulates the blood and lymphatic systems, increasing circulation and elimination through the skin.”
In Dr. Morse’s ‘Detox Miracle Sourcebook,’ from the section describing the ‘cold sheet method,’ a hydrotherapy method involving a hot bath to induce sweating followed by wrapping up in an ice-cold sheet to further remove toxins from the body, he says, “I suggest drinking a hot herbal tea made from Yarrow or Ginger Root to increase this heat-inducing process and to maintain hydration. As the heat begins to dilate or open the skin, coupled with the diaphoretic properties of the herbs, especially Yarrow, you will begin to sweat. This also stimulates the blood and lymphatic systems, increasing circulation and elimination through the skin.”
Resources & Recommended
