Yarrow, Achillea millefolium

dealing with painful bee stings and insect bites. It also has some analgesic properties, which help with pain. Recipes. Wooly Lamb’s Ear Tea: You will only need fresh leaves of Wooly Lamb’s Ear and water. Bruise the fresh leaves by pounding then add them to a pot of simmering water. Simmer the leaves for a 5 to 10 minutes and cool. Strain the liquid through a fine sieve or coffee filter to remove all leaf particles. Drink or use as a wash.

I always keep yarrow in my medicine bag, as it has many uses. It is also called nosebleed plant, squirrel’s tale, plumajillo, and soldier’s woundwort. I recognize it by its feathery leaf shape, texture, and scent. It is in the Aster/Daisy Family. It is found in temperate zones throughout the world. Identification: Yarrow is an erect plant that grows from a spreading rhizome. The plant has finely divided feathery leaves that grow along the stem. Plants grow 1 to 3 feet (0.3m to 0.9 meters) in full sun to partial shade. Its bipinnate or tripinnate leaves are 2 to 8 inches (5 cm to 20 cm) long, and can be hairy. Leaves are arranged spirally on the stem in groups of 2 to 3. Each leaf is divided into many leaflets, which are further divided into smaller leaflets. The silvery-green leaves are fern-like and feathery. Flowers bloom from May to July. Each inflorescence is a cluster of 15 to 40 tiny disk flowers surrounded by 3 to 8 ray flowers. The scent of yarrow is similar to chrysanthemums, and the flowers are very long lasting. Colors range from white to yellow, pink, and red. Yarrow is a good companion plant in a garden, as it repels many garden pests while attracting beneficial insects. Edible Use: You can eat the leaves raw or cooked. They are bitter and are best eaten young. The plant is very nutritious; however, I don’t recommend eating a lot of it because of its blood clotting ability. The flowers and leaves are used to make tea, but the leaf tea is bitter. A little raw honey helps. Medicinal Use: All parts of the plant are used medicinally. Stopping Internal & External Bleeding: Yarrow quickly stops bleeding by contracting the blood vessels and encouraging clotting. Yarrow contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial compounds that ease swelling and promote healing. It also helps disinfect wounds. If it is possible, clean the wound before applying yarrow. Yarrow will quickly stop bleeding and bind any dirt or infectious materials into the wound, so best to clean first if possible. To use yarrow leaves on a wound or abscess, chop or rip the leaves finely and apply to the wound. I often carry dried powdered yarrow with me for this purpose. Cover the wound with a soft cloth and leave it in place. Repeat 2 to 3 times daily until the wound is healed over and the swelling is gone. Yarrow oil or tincture can be used to treat nosebleeds and other minor injuries, as can yarrow powder. Place a few drops of oil or tincture on the affected area or apply it to a tissue or cloth and place it on the wound.

Bruises, Sprains, Swelling, and Hemor-

rhoids: For bruises, sprains, hemorrhoids, and other swellings, use a poultice of yarrow leaves or stems pounded into a paste and applied to the injured area and cover. Infused yarrow oil or salve works well for bruises, sprains, swelling, and hemorrhoids.

Antibacterial and Antifungal: Yarrow is a strong antibacterial and antifungal. It will heal a wound quickly. Do not use on deep puncture wounds as it will heal it too quickly and you want the wound to heal from the inside out. It is a great addition to a first aid salve. It is also a strong antifungal. Fevers, Colds, and Measles: Yarrow reduces the duration of the measles virus, colds, and fevers. It is quick to bring down a fever. Either chew raw yarrow or drink yarrow tea to induce sweating and reduce fevers.

An easier (and more palatable) method is to take yarrow in tincture form. It opens the pores, encouraging perspiration, and purifies and moves the blood. Menstrual Problems: Yarrow tea or tincture treats menstrual problems ranging from a lack of menstruation to excessive bleeding and cramping. It tones the uterine muscles after childbirth, reduces cramping by relaxing the smooth muscles, and prevents hemorrhage. It also helps to bring on menses. Dental Pain: To reduce inflammation and relieve dental pain, chew on a piece of fresh yarrow root or yarrow leaves. In addition to its anti-inflammatory and anti-infection benefits, yarrow contains salicylic acid, a pain reliever that acts quickly. Mastitis: As an antibacterial and an anti-inflammatory yarrow works well for mastitis. A leaf poultice seems to work the best while alternating between warm and cold compresses (cabbage leaves also work well for mastitis).

Anxiety and Relaxation without Sedation:

Yarrow seems to reduce anxiety without sedative effects. It has a calming effect on the central nervous system. Harvesting: Yarrow is best when young, picked in the spring or early summer before the flowers have been pollinated. Dry the leaves, stems, and flowers for later use. Once the herb is dry, store it in a capped jar in a cool, dark, and dry location. Warning: Do not eat yarrow or take yarrow tea during pregnancy. Some people are allergic to yarrow. Do not use it if you are allergic to plants in the Aster/Daisy family, if you develop a rash, or if any irritation occurs. Do not use before surgery. Recipes. Yarrow Tea: One teaspoon dried yarrow flowers and/or leaves, one cup boiling water, sweetener, if desired. Pour one cup of boiling water over one teaspoon of dried yarrow flowers or leaves. Cover and allow the tea to steep for 5 minutes. Sweeten with raw honey or maple syrup. Yarrow Tincture: Ingredients: fresh yarrow leaves and flowers, vodka, brandy, or other alcohol, 80 proof or higher. Chop yarrow into small pieces and pack it tightly to fill a glass jar. Fill the jar with alcohol and cover it tightly. Check the jar every few days and add more alcohol as needed to keep the jar full. Allow the tincture to steep for 6 to 8 weeks. Strain the alcohol through a few layers of cheesecloth and squeeze out all the liquid. Discard the herbs, label the jar and store your tincture in a cool, dark place.

Yarrow Oil: Fresh or dried yarrow leaves, organic olive oil or another carrier oil. If using fresh yarrow, cut the leaves into one-inch (2.5 cm) pieces and allow them to dry. Place the herbs into a jar or heatproof container and add oil just to cover the herbs. Fill a small pot about 1/3 full of water and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to a simmer before using. Place the jar of oil and herbs into the water, preventing the water from getting into the oil container. Use the water like a double-boiler to gently heat the herbs and oil for 2 to 3 hours. Do not overheat! Allow the oil to cool, then filter it through a couple of layers of cheesecloth. Squeeze the cheesecloth to get all the oil. Discard the herb and use the oil for medicinal purposes. Yarrow Salve: Ingredients: ½ cup (4 oz or 125ml)) Infused Yarrow Oil, 1-ounce Beeswax. Using a double boiler, mix the beeswax and the infused oil until the beeswax has melted. Check the consistency by dipping a spoon in and putting it in the fridge to harden. If it is not hard enough, add more beeswax. If too hard add more oil. Pour into your jar or tins and let harden. Label and date.