Yarrow - The Medicinal Power Plant

Yarrow (achillea millefolium) has been used for making herbal medicines for thousands of years. If it’s growing in your garden keep it and use it. You are lucky to have it. It’s best known and used to stop bleeding (both internal and external) and to bring down fevers. However as with all medicinal plants there are many other ways you can use it - and sometimes you need to do your own investigations to figure out how it’s right for you.

Here are my top three uses of Yarrow:

1. Yarrow for wound care (ideal for stopping bleeding): For topical use on a cut you can bathe the wound with yarrow tea (place an ounce of flower heads dried or wilted in a quart jar, cover with boiling water and infuse for about 4 hours then strain to use); if you are out in the woods you could make a spit poultice by chewing some of the flowers and a little leaf and then spitting it onto the wound and washing it off later; or you could make a salve or tincture (or buy one). Yarrow is always in my first aid kit.

2. Yarrow for digestive support: Yarrow is bitter. As such it stimulates bile flow and supports the liver. It also helps relieve digestive spasms. Make a yarrow tea or take a few drops of tincture to support your digestive health.

3. Yarrow for reducing fevers: Sipping a yarrow infusion supports the body by helping us sweat and thus lower the body temperature or you can use this same tea and add it to your bath.

In the garden

Yarrow growing beside chives

Meditation notes from my journal on Yarrow (sometimes I like to sit by a plant and see what comes up in my mind in a meditation - this is what I got):  I rise up.  Yarrow.  I blossom a thousand times and my energy blossoms a never ending cascade of abundance for those who are strong.  I am not a plant for the meek and mild.  I am for the bold.  Although you can use me to heal illness. I may grow with others of my kind or on my own.

Rise up.  Be authentic.  Bold.  Stand up and be strong.  We will help you blossom and take you to the next level.  We will naturally transport you up, holding your hand as you rise, you don’t need to be afraid because we will support you, you will know you are supported with our help.  We stand forwards.  Never afraid.  Never feeling alone.  Take our medicine to grow.  And be wise.  Intellect is supported to find true wisdom.  We are a wise plant.  Yes we are the warrior goddess too.  The hunts woman loved us.  

Pick us fresh at our best to support your rising up and make our essence to use us this way.  You will never be alone.  We are not alone because we are so many in what you call one.