Yarrow is used to exorcise evil from locations or even people. It confers protection and courage when worn and attracts friends and loved ones. When dried and used in wedding bouquets, it guarantees at least seven years of love.
References to yarrow date back many thousands of years. Fossils containing yarrow pollen have been found in 60,000-year-old Neanderthal burial caves. Achilles reputedly used the herb to dress wounds during the Trojan War, hence its botanical name, Achillea millefolium. The herb was still being applied to battlefield injuries during the American Civil War, 3,000 years later. Its war time vulnerary use caused yarrow to be dubbed "Herba Militaris", the military herb, in early Europe. Other nicknames for yarrow include "bloodwort" and "nosebleed". "Millefolium" means one thousand leaves and refers to yarrow's finely divided foliage.
The ancient Chinese method of foretelling the future, based on the I Ching, a classical book of the Confucian era (551--479 BC), uses 50 sticks of dried, stripped yarrow stems. These are tossed into the air and meaning is attributed to the pattern they form upon falling.
The herb's common name is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word, "gearwe", which would have been pronounced something like "Yawraway".
The genus "Achillea" comprises of over 80 species. If you've resisted adding this weedy and invasive plant to your herb garden, with its dull white and pink flowers, you'll be delighted to learn that breeders have recently augmented the herb's color range to include lilacs, crimsons and clear whites. These improved cultivars are generally less invasive than the species, but may revert to the latter if allowed to go to seed. Wild and cultivated yarrows hybridize freely. The Richter's catalogue for 2000 lists the following varieties: Standard, the preferred type for medicinal use; Mace, with its spicy aroma of the oriental spice; Moonshine, the best variety for drying; Red; Sneezewort; traditionally used as a snuff for clearing nasal congestion; Woolly, a low mat-forming variety with golden flowers (this particular yarrow will rot if not given good drainage), and Yellow, a tall variety - up to 5 feet - with large yellow flowers.
Yarrow grows easily from seed and will thrive in the most marginal of soils with the exception of soggy ground. Indeed, manure or fertilizer, or too much shade, will cause the development of weak stems. The herb prefers full sun in slightly acid soil, although a few species prefer a higher pH. Yarrow is a winter hardy perennial in zones 3 to 9 and thrives better with cool nights. It will attract many species of butterflies to your garden, along with lady beetles and tiny parasitic wasps that prey on aphids. Also, yarrow discarded in your compost pile will speed decomposition.
Standard yarrow can be cultivated as a lawn. It will withstand light foot traffic and will eventually choke out weeds. It should be mowed about three times a year to prevent flowering. Sow the seed in late summer or spring, using half pound of seed per 100 square yards. Spread evenly and press lightly into a prepared bed with a roller. Do not use fertilizer.
The wisdom of yarrow's traditional use as a wound healer has been verified by current research. More than 82 medicinal compounds have been found in the herb. Achilleine works as a hemostatic (blood clotting agent) and an astringent. A German study published in Planta Medica in 1994 found that the chamazulene in yarrow inhibits the formation of leukotriene, which triggers inflammation. Another German study, published in Arzneimittelforschung in June 1995, found that yarrow's flavonoids (which provide the plant's pigment) help the body produce prostaglandin, a chemical that controls smooth muscle contraction. When taken internally, this makes yarrow a useful herb for relieving gastrointestinal ailments including diarrhea, bloating and cramps. According to the German Commission E, yarrow's antispasmodic qualities make it particularly useful for treating menstrual cramps. Yarrow is also antibacterial and contains salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin. To reduce fevers, yarrow combines well with elder flower, peppermint, boneset, cayenne and ginger. For reducing blood pressure it may be combined with hawthorn, linden flowers and European mistletoe. These herbs may be taken internally as teas or tinctures. To make yarrow tea, steep one tablespoon of the dried herb in one cup of boiled water for 10-15 minutes. Strain and drink three cups in one day for gastrointestinal problems, fever, hemorrhoids or bruises, or drink all three cups at once to slow heavy menstrual bleeding. For toothaches and minor cuts and burns, apply the tea topically.
To combat a cold, make a tea of yarrow along with elderflower and peppermint. Combine equal amounts of all three herbs. Infuse one teaspoon of the dried herb mixture - twice as much if you're using fresh herbs - and allow it to steep in one cup of water for 10 minutes. Drink three cups a day. If you can catch the cold early enough, you'll find this a very effective remedy.
Yarrow is not toxic, but allergies to the herb are common and sensitivity appears to increase with use. Even simple teas that contain yarrow can cause a mild skin rash and increase photosensitivity. If these symptoms develop, use should be discontinued.
Because of its potential as an allergen, yarrow should be used in moderation in the kitchen. Its leaves and buds have a mellow, sage-like flavor and may be added to wild salads and soups. Mace yarrow (Achillea decolorans) is the one species with culinary appeal. Its narrow, sharply toothed green leaves have a distinctive nutmeg or mace aroma. A small amount of the leaves, finely minced, add a pleasing piquancy to soups, stews, salads (especially potato salads) and cheese dishes.
Yarrow is enduringly popular for dried flower arrangements and wreaths. The yellow-flowered yarrows in particular last for years with minimal fading. The new pastel cultivars do fade upon drying, but the resultant muted colors are still beautiful and popular among crafts aficionados.