Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Yarrow grows in meadows, roadsides, and open fields across much of the world. It has fine, feather-like leaves and flat clusters of small white or pink flowers. It blooms through summer and tolerates poor soil and dry conditions. The plant spreads easily and holds its ground where others fail.

Yarrow grows wild in meadows, roadsides, and open fields all over the world. The plant has delicate, feather-like leaves and flat clusters of tiny white or pink flowers. It blooms all summer long and grows in poor soil and dry conditions. Yarrow self-seeds freely, holding its own when other plants can’t thrive.

The plant is named for Achilles, the Greek warrior believed to have first used it to staunch wounds. Generations of people have turned to yarrow to stop bleeding and clean out cuts and scrapes. The fresh leaves can be applied to minor wounds. Teas and tinctures have long been used to reduce fever, improve circulation, and soothe the stomach [1][2].

Yarrow has been used for women’s health for centuries. Herbalists rely on yarrow to help alleviate menstrual cramps and reduce or normalize the menstrual cycle [3]. The leaves and flowers contain anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compounds, including flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones [4]. Modern research continues to study the effects of yarrow on pain and wound healing [5].

Wild yarrow stabilizes the soil with deep roots, and provides food for pollinators. The plant is light in structure but resilient in spirit—a plant that thrives and heals itself.

[1] U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. “Plant Guide for Achillea millefolium – Habitat, Traditional Uses, and Ecological Traits.” https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_acmi2.pdf

[2] U.S. Forest Service. “Fire Effects Information System – Ethnobotany of Yarrow among Native Peoples.” https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/forb/achmil/all.html

[3] Moradi, M., A. Niazi, K. Abbasi, S. Mollazadeh, and M. Nouravaran Feizabadi. “The Impact of Achillea millefolium on Primary Dysmenorrhea and Menstrual Bleeding: A Systematic Review.” Journal of Midwifery & Reproductive Health 12, no. 2 (2024): 4153–4163. https://doi.org/10.22038/JMRH.2023.68062.1991

[4] MDPI Plants. “Phytochemical Composition and Pharmacological Effects of Achillea millefolium.” 2022. https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/3/305

[5] Ali, S. I., et al. “Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Achillea millefolium L.” Phytotherapy Research (2017). https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5840