Yarrow has a long history of use in ritual throughout the world. In the I Ching, Yarrow Stems are used for casting. In cultures where dreams are important to divination, yarrow is added to dream pillows to encourage prophetic dreams. In fact, folklore says that Yarrow can be used in incense or oil to cleanse the aura. Prior to divination, a tea is suggested, to help the mind focus without distraction.*
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. It is therefore a close cousin of Marigolds. The flower has a strong scent that is sweet and reminiscent of chrysanthemum. Known commonly as Yarrow, the plant goes by many other names, indicating a long and wide history of use: old man’s pepper, devil’s nettle, sanguinary and nosebleed plant – just to name a few. Yarrow grows throughout much of Europe, North America, and parts of Asia.
Yarrow’s botanical name, Achillea millefolium, not to mention one common name, “Soldier’s Woundwort,” originates from the Greek legend of Achilles, who reputedly prescribed Yarrow to wounded warriors at risk from blood loss. Today, Yarrow is dried for use in crafts and to make tinctures and essential oils. The entire plant is used, both dried and fresh and is best when gathered while in flower.
Native American herbal medicine makes extensive use of yarrow. Among the Micmac people of Maine, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, the stalk was chewed or stewed to induce sweating to “break” fevers and colds. They also pounded the stalks into a pulp to be applied to bruises, sprains, and swelling.
The Cherokee, Gosiute, Iroquois, and Mohegan peoples used it as a digestive aid. Other herbal healing traditions use yarrow to treat a variety of conditions characterized by swelling, often combined with echinacea, elder flower, ginger, and peppermint.”
The flowers and leaves can be made into an aromatic tea and the essential oils found in the flowering heads. Its basic constituent components are Alpha Pinene, Acetate, Borneol, Beta Pinene, Borneol, Cineole, Camphene, Camphor, Gamma Terpinene, Isoartemisia Ketone, Chamazulene, Limonene, Sabinene and Tricyclene.
Recommended use: 3g of Yarrow made into tea by steeping yarrow for 5-15 minutes. Try it with Peppermint & Chamomile for a clearing and further calming effect. The flowers can be used instead of hops to brew beer. Linnaeus believed that beer made in this fashion was far more intoxicating.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to cure, treat, diagnose, or prevent any disease.
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