Yarrow
A versatile aromatic perennial traditionally used to regulate bleeding, move stagnant blood, support fevers, clear heat, strengthen mucous membranes, aid digestion, and tone the vasculature. Its amphoteric nature allows it to both staunch bleeding and promote circulation as needed.
Achillea references Achilles, who, according to Greek tradition, used the plant to treat soldiers’ wounds during the Trojan War. Millefolium means “a thousand leaves,” referring to its finely divided foliage. The common name Yarrow derives from the Anglo-Saxon gearwe and Dutch yerw. Names such as “devil’s plaything” reflect its historical use in divination, while “field hop” (Sweden) refers to its former use in beer brewing. The Spanish name plumajillo (“little feather”) describes its feather-like leaves.
Yarrow is a classic diaphoretic for fever, especially when the skin is hot, dry, and secretions are suppressed; hot tea or tincture in warm water effectively promotes sweating, moistens the skin, and encourages resolution of heat. Its volatile oils and bitters stimulate respiratory secretions, helping to reduce lung congestion, excessive mucus, and symptoms of sinusitis, allergies, hay fever, and colds, while its mild antibacterial and immune-supportive qualities enhance recovery. Taken before meals, it improves the digestion of fats and proteins. In the gastrointestinal tract, yarrow tones mucous membranes, reduces inflammation, and supports conditions such as mild diarrhea, post-infectious irritation, gastroenteritis, colitis flares, diverticulitis, IBS, hemorrhoids, and lingering inflammation following stomach flu or food poisoning; tincture can help reduce bleeding in ulcers and hemorrhoids. It is also useful in urinary tract irritation—including cystitis and urethritis—by easing burning, soothing tissues, reducing inflammation, and assisting with hematuria. Yarrow’s vasodilating and hypotensive actions help calm individuals with heat patterns, tension, flushed face, or a full bounding pulse. As a hemostatic, room-temperature infusions, cold infusions, or tincture help reduce passive internal bleeding in the intestinal or urinary tracts and excessive menstrual bleeding, as well as bleeding associated with fibroids, ovarian cysts, mittelschmerz, or postpartum hormonal imbalances; it also assists in nosebleeds, gum bleeding, and body sputum. Frequent small hot infusions can stimulate delayed or suppressed menstruation and help reduce uterine stagnation, clotting, or retained lochia. Topically, yarrow supports venous tone and reduces distention, aiding varicose veins, spider veins, and hemorrhoids; it is also widely used as a vulnerary for first-aid conditions such as cuts, bruises, abrasions, sprains, strains, carpal tunnel flares, and various inflammatory injuries. Its poultice can reduce toothache or gum pain. Yarrow essential oil provides cooling, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects, supports tissue regeneration, helps prevent scarring, and is helpful for bruises, sprains, strained muscles, tendonitis, arthritis, neuralgia, varicose veins, eczema, dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, poison oak, gum inflammation, dental abscesses, gingivitis, and canker sores.
Yarrow has long been used as a snuff and was known as “old man’s pepper.” In Sweden, it was called “field hop” for its role in early beer brewing. In the 17th century, young leaves were added to salads, and rinsing the scalp with yarrow tea was believed to prevent baldness. It was carried as a charm in weddings to secure seven years of love and used in divination and folk magic. Some Indigenous groups applied yarrow before fire-related ceremonies. It has been used to soothe sore throats, desensitize breasts after childbirth, and in ritual and first-aid traditions worldwide.
A perennial, aromatic herb 20–80(–100) cm tall, arising from a creeping, branched rhizome that produces erect to ascending, angular, striated stems that are sparsely pubescent below and nearly glabrous above. Leaves are alternate, soft, finely dissected, and fern-like; lower leaves are oblong-lanceolate (5–20 cm long) and divided two to three times into many narrow, linear lobes, while upper leaves are smaller, sessile, and less divided. Foliage is gray-green, sparsely villous to glabrous, and aromatic when crushed. The inflorescence is a flat-topped compound corymb 4–10(–15) cm wide, composed of numerous small capitula. Each flower head is 3–5 mm tall and 4–5 mm wide, with 3–5 white to pinkish ray florets surrounding 10–30 yellow disk florets; the involucre is campanulate, 3–5 mm high, with overlapping oblong phyllaries edged in dry, scarious margins. The fruit is a small, flattened, ribless cypsela (2–3 mm) without pappus, grayish to light brown.
Avoid long-term use at high doses. Individuals hypersensitive to the Asteraceae family may experience contact dermatitis. While it may support relief of mild urinary tract irritation, any signs of the infection progressing to the kidneys—such as severe back pain or high fever—require immediate medical attention.
The essential oil contains ketones and should not be used in children under 10 years old or during pregnancy.
Fresh flowers/leaves: 1:2–1:3, 75–95% alcohol
Dry flowers: 1:5–1:6, 60% alcohol
Dose: 10–60 drops up to 4× daily
Fresh flowers and leaves: 1:3 (50% glycerin : 50% alcohol)
Dose: 10–60 drops up to 4× daily
Hot or cold infusion. Avoid boiling, as heat destroys volatile oils; keep the lid on to retain aromatics.
Christina Sinadinos, David Hoffman, Bryan Bowen, and notes from relevant CSHS lecturers.