Yarrow

Achillea ptarmica 'Perle'

Family / Subfamily
Asteraceae / Asteroideae

Tribus
Anthemideae

Genus
Achillea

Related genera
Artemisia, Chrysanthemum, Leucanthemum, Matricaria, Tanacetum

First an introduction on the Common Yarrow. The second part deals with the so-called Sneezewort Yarrow.

Common Yarrow

Names

The English name yarrow comes from the Saxon (Old English) word gearwe, which is related to both the Dutch word gerw and the Old High German word garawa.

The Common Yarrow goes by English names such as arrowroot, bad man's plaything, carpenter's weed, death flower, devil's nettle, eerie, field hops, gearwe, gordaldo, hundred leaved grass, knight's milefoil, knyghten, milefolium, milfoil, millefoil, noble yarrow, nosebleed plant, old man's mustard, old man's pepper, sanguinary, seven year's love, snake's grass, soldier, soldier's woundwort, staunch weed, stanch weed, thousand-leaf (as its binomial name affirms), thousand-seal, woundwort, yarroway, yerw.

German names include Achilleskraut, Augenbraue der Venus (Supercilium Veneris), Bauchwehkraut, Blutkraut, Blutstillkraut, Feldgarbenkraut, Frauenkraut, Frauendank, Gachelkraut, Gänsezungen, Garbenkraut, Gotteshand, Grillengras, Grundheil, Grützblume, Kachel, Katzenkraut, Katzenschwanz, Lämmerzunge, Margaretenkraut, Schafrippen, Schafzunge, Tausendblatt, Teekraut, Zangeblume.

History and Folklore

The name Achillea comes from mythic hero Achilles, who according to Homer was taught by Chiron to use the herb to heal the battle wounds of soldiers with it. (see also Ilias, 11. Song, Verse 822ff.) For centuries it has been carried in battle because of its magical as well as medicinal properties.

Yarrow was one herb identified at Shanidar IV, a Neanderthal flower burial of northern Iraq, dated c.60,000BCE along with a number of other medicinal herbs.

Yarrow was part of potions to induce abortions of unwanted children, e.g. during medieval times it was applied by so-called 'Engelmacherinnen'. On the contrary, yarrow is hung in bundles over the cradle of a newborn to protect its soul. In Hebrew tradition it is connected to the child-stealing demon goddess Lilith, which is carried on in other branches of esoteric folklore. Witches were purported to use yarrow in incantations and summoning the devil. Contrary Yarrow amulets were believed to protect the wearer against all manners of evil, from blindness to barking dogs.

It has particular links with love and divining one's future spouse. Some people believed that you could determine the devotion of a lover by poking a yarrow leaf up your nostril and twitching the leaf while saying, "Yarroway, yarroway, bear a white blow: if my love loves me, my nose will bleed now". Nursery rhymes say if you put a yarrow sachet under your pillow, you will dream of your own true love. If you dream of cabbages (the leaves do have a similar scent), then death or other serious misfortune will strike. A folk belief states that if you hang a bunch of dried yarrow or yarrow that had been used in wedding decorations over the bed, you can thus ensure a lasting love for at least seven years.

Yarrow sticks have a longstanding traditional use in divination, e.g. as part of the I Ching.

Before the use of hops yarrow was used as part of old-fashioned beer flavoring herb mixture called gruit.

Medicinal Uses

The herb is purported to be analgetic, diaphoretic, astringent, tonic, stimulant and mild aromatic. It contains isovaleric acid, salicylic acid, asparagin, sterols, flavonoids, bitters, tannins, and coumarins. The plant also has a long history as a powerful 'healing herb' used topically for wounds, cuts and abrasions.

Leaves, stems and flowers are used in teas and tinctures or the freshly squeezed plant juice is applied. A classic use is because of its astringent effect. Decoctions have been used to treat inflammations, such as hemorrhoids, and headaches. The aerial parts act as a tonic for the blood, stimulate the circulation, and can be used for high blood pressure, especially supporting venous blood flow back to the heart, and it is a classic herbal remedy against varicoses, swollen calves and general circulatory disorders. On the other hand it can also stop bleeding and staunch the bloodflow.

The dark blue essential oil, extracted by steam distillation of the flowers, is generally used as an anti-inflammatory or in chest rubs for colds and influenza. For a massage oil for inflamed joints, dilute 5-10 drops yarrow oil in 25 ml infused St. John's wort oil. A chest rub can be made for chesty colds and influenza. Combine yarrow with eucalyptus, peppermint, hyssop, or thyme oil, diluting a total of 20 drops of oil in 25 ml almond or sunflower oil.

A steam bath made from the flowers is said to have anti-allergic effects, e.g. could serve as a remedy against hay-fever.

The leaves promote clotting and are used to stop nosebleed.

Other uses are for phlegm conditions, as a bitter digestive tonic to encourage bile flow, and as a diuretic. Also useful in menstrual disorders, and as an effective sweating remedy to bring down fevers. It also acts as an abortive.

Navajo Indians considered it to be a "life medicine", chewed it for toothaches, and poured an infusion into ears for earaches.

Yarrow intensifies the medicinal action of other herbs taken with it.

List of accounted usages (from Wikipedia): Analgesic, Amenorrhea, antiphlogistic, anti-inflammatory, bowels, bleeding, blood clots, blood pressure (lowers), blood purifier, blood vessels (tones), catarrh (acute, repertory), colds, chicken pox, circulation, contraceptive (unproven), cystitis, diabetes treatment, digestion (stimulates), gastro-intestinal disorders, choleretic, dyspepsia, eczema, fevers, flu, gastritis, glandular system, gum ailments, heartbeat (slow), influenza, insect repellant, inflammation, emmenagogue, internal bleeding, liver (stimulates and regulates), lungs (hemorrhage), measles, menses (suppressed), menorrhagia, menstruation (regulates, relieves pain), nipples (soreness), nosebleeds, piles (bleeding), smallpox, stomach sickness, toothache, thrombosis, ulcers, urinary antiseptic, uterus (tighten and contract), gastroprotective, varicose veins, vision, may reduce autoimmune responses

Other Species

Sneezewort Yarrow

Achillea ptarmica is native to temperate zones of Eurosia, thrives in sunny places and on moist grounds, e.g. alongside rivers. The plant is known as Sneezewort, Sneezeweed, Bastard Pellitory, European Pellitory, Fair-maid-of-France, Goose Tongue, Sneezewort Yarrow, Wild Pellitory, White Tansy. Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The dried, powdered leaves are used as a sneezing powder, and the whole plant yields an essential oil that is used medicinally. Leaves are Cardiac; Diaphoretic; Digestive; Emmenagogue; Odontalgic; Sternutatory; Styptic. The leaves are also used as an insect repellent. In Germany this species is known as Sumpf-Schafgarbe or Bertram-Schafgarbe and is appreciated for its larger and filled white flowers.

A third species of interest is Achillea filipendulina - English Fernleaf Yarrow; German Goldgarbe, Farnblättrige Schafgarbe, Hohe Schafgarbe, Hohe Garbe, Gold-Schafgarbe.

Sources

Wikipedia English, Wikipedia German

Fotos © Teufelskunst