Botanical Name:  Achillea millefolium

Plant Family:  Asteraceae, Compositae (closely related to the Chamomiles)

Common Names: Bloodwort, Herba Militaris, Knight's Milfoil, Milfoil, Nosebleed, Old Man's Pepper, Schafgarbe, Soldier's Herb, Woundwort

Origin:  Native to Europe and North America Yarrow thrives in sunny, warm areas and is often found in meadows and along roadsides, as well as growing on dry, sunny slopes.

History: The name Yarrow is a corruption of the Anglo-Saxon name for the plant gearwe (the Dutch yerw). It is thought the name Achillea comes from the legend that Achilles was thought to have used Yarrow to heal his men and to stop the bleeding wounds of his soldiers during the siege of Troy. Another view is that it came from a Greek doctor named Achilles who recorded the plant's details. Millefolium is derived from the many segments of its foliage.It was called by the ancients, Herba Militaris (Military Herb).

It was thought to be the herb used by Chiron the Centaur to heal the heel of Achilles.

The Cahuilla Indians used it as a mouthwash for:

• pyorrhea
• toothache

Tradition:

The Druids used:

• Yarrow stems to divine the weather for each coming season
• Yarrow as one of the nine sacred herbs used in rituals to protect from evil
• Fossils of Yarrow pollen have been found in ancient burial caves

Yarrow 

• had the ability to keep a couple together for 7 years
• warded off negativity when worn
• was added to a bath protects from harm
• was held in the hand to repel fear
• was presented as a gift to newlyweds
• was used in love sachets
• was used to make I-Ching Sticks

Culpepper placed the herb 'under the influence of Venus'

In European folk medicine, Yarrow has traditionally been used to treat:

• bleeding
• colds
• fevers
• hemorrhoids
• menstrual ailmentsstomach and intestinal upsets
• wounds

Plant Constituents

Contains:

• Achilleic Acid
• Achillein (said to be identical to Aconitic Acid)
• dark green volatile oil
• gum
• resin
• tannin
• and earthy ash consisting of:
• chlorides of potash and lime
• nitrates
• phosphates

Usage

Medicinal Parts Used: The whole herb (above-ground parts including flowers, leaves and stems) It is gathered for medicinal use when it is in bloom

Yarrow is used for:

Bacterial and Viral conditions

• in the early stages of measles and other eruptive diseases
• venereal disease
• vaginal itch from vaginosis

Blood Conditions

• acts on the blood vessels of the pelvis
• bleeding hemorrhoids
• blood in the urine
• builds up the blood
• coagulates blood
• heals internal and external wounds
• reduces bleeding
• stimulates blood renewal with a beneficial effect on bone marrow
• stops bleeding of external wounds
• stops bleeding of lungs and stomach

Brain and Nervous System Conditions

• neuritis
• migraine headache caused by weather changes

Cardiovascular Conditions

• angina pectoris
• circulatory disorders
• vascular spasms

Female Complaints

• contraceptive
• inflammation of the ovaries
• menstrual irregularities especially in young girls
• menopausal problems in older women, especially inner restlessness
• menstrual cramps and pain
• pelvic troubles
• prolapsus of the uterus
• stops internal and external bleeding during childbirth
• uterine fibroids
• vaginal itch

Gastrointestinal Complaints

• abdominal disorders
• diarrhea
• digestive complaints
• dysentery
• enteritis
• flatulence (gas/wind)
• indigestion and heartburn
• inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract
• lack of appetite
• regulates bowel movements
• relaxes the sphincter muscles
• sluggish digestion
• stomach cramps, with St. John's Wort

Genitourinary Conditions

• aids the function of the kidneys
• bedwetting
• increases flow urine of urine
• sluggish kidneys

Glandular Conditions

• heals the glandular system

Inflammatory Conditions

• rheumatic pains
• reduces inflammation

Immune Conditions

• fights infection

Liver Conditions

• aids the function of the liver and gallbladder
• gallbladder conditions
• liver disorders
• stimulates and regulates the liver
• stimulates bile flow

Muscular Conditions

• Muscle spasms

Respiratory System

• breaks a cold
• bronchitis
• colds
• head congestion, accompanied by severe pain, giddiness, nausea, running and weeping eyes, sharp pain the eyes and nose bleeding
• influenza, combined with Elder Flowers and Peppermint
• lung cancer, combined with Calamus Root
• relieves body weakness caused by colds and influenza-like conditions

Other Conditions

• brings down temperature in fevers by promoting perspiration
• gum ailments
• obstructed perspiration
• prolonged debilitating illness
• toothache

It is used externally as a cleanser or a wash for:

• boils
• chafed hands
• eczema
• greasy skin
• opening the pores of the skin
• pimples
• poor complexion
• prevention of baldness
• sore nipples
• wound healing

and in an ointment for:

• hemorrhoids

Other Uses:

• Compost activator
• Enhances flavor, strength and health of other herbs growing near it

Action:

• anodyne [an agent that soothes or relieves pain)
• anti-hemorrhagic [an agent to stop hemorrhages]
• anti-inflammatory [an agent to stop inflammation]
• antiseptic [an agent for inhibiting the growth of microorganism on living tissue or destroying pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria]
• antispasmodic [an agent which relieves or eases muscular spasms, cramps or convulsions]
• aromatic [a substance having an agreeable odor and stimulating qualities]
• astringent [a binding agent that contracts organic tissue, reducing secretions or discharges of mucous and fluid from the body]
• beneficial to the reproductive organs
• blood purifier
• carminative [an agent for easing griping pains, colic and expelling gas from the intestines]
  chologogue [an agent for increasing the flow of bile into the intestines]
• diaphoretic [an agent that promotes perspiration]
• diuretic [an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine which cleanses the urinary system]
• hemostatic [an agent that controls bleeding]
• prophylactic [an agent to ward off disease]
• stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues giving more energy]
• tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]  
• vulnerary [a healing application for wounds]

Precautions

Drug Interactions:

Do not use Yarrow without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following medications:

• None indicated