Achillea millefolium 

Medicinal Preparations:

Tincture (ratio & % alcohol): Fresh: 1:2 -1:3 60%   Dry:1:5 60% or 1:6 60%
Drops: 10-60  Times a day: 4x

Glycerite: Fresh: 1:3   Glycerin: 50%   Water: 50%

Habitat and Botanical Description: 

Yarrow is a highly aromatic perennial that flourishes in a sunny, warm habitat. Often found along roadsides, meadows, mountains, deserts and coastal dunes from May to August. A beautiful show of tiny white to pink flowers in dense, flat topped clusters. The leaves are fern like and the stalks grow up to 3’ tall.

Medicinal Uses:

Internally, the leaves and flowers (fresh preferred but dried is great too!) are used in tea or tincture to lessen the symptoms of colds and flu especially when accompanied with fever and pain. Its cooling volatile oils dilate the blood vessels and stimulate sweating to encourage heat loss. Great for when that fever is trapped within the body and needs to be released. It is cooling and sedative to excess heat.
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Yarrow is a diuretic and a urinary antiseptic cooling the tissues in the bladder and urethra. It is one of the best herbs for UTI and cystitis. ⁠
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Yarrow is also an effective blood mover and stimulant suitable for damp/stagnation tissue states. A cup of hot tea stimulates delayed menses and beneficial when experiencing a clotting, cramping menses and helps to promote a more regular flow.⁠

Yarrow is an effective hemostatic and contains anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. It is beneficial to all manners of wounds, lacerations, bruises, bites and stings. Contains mild disinfectant properties and is useful in  salves.⁠ A bath made with a strong tea (ounce of herb steeped in 2 quarts water) for tendon and joint inflammation.

Yarrow is known as the protection herb and helps us to have strong, healthy boundaries. It creates a shield so that we may do our work in the world and avoid unnecessary energy leaks and distractions that can ultimately deplete us. My teacher Sajah Popham at the school of evolutionary herbalism says, "Yarrow can take our traumas, struggles and challenges in life, and turn them into teachings. Turning poison into medicine, weakness into strength, judgement into compassion. Yarrow gives us the strength to face the wounded part of ourselves, and have to courage to help others too."

Harvesting:

During the summer months gather the recently flowered stalks and bundle together with twine a couple inches from the cut ends and hang out of direct sunlight with adequate ventilation. Once dried, strip off the leaves and trim the flowers. Store in a glass jar, lid and label. 

Beauty: 

The flowers can be simmered in water and used as a facial steam to promote a healthy complexion.

Contraindications:

Recommended Products:

• Witch in the Woods Yarrow Hydrosol
• Witch in the Woods Botanical Body Oil
• Natura Sophia Yarrow Spagyric Tincture