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Achilles
reputedly used the herb to dress wounds during the Trojan
War, hence its botanical name, Achillea millefolium.
The herb was still being applied to battlefield injuries during
the American Civil War, 3,000 years later. Its war time vulnerary
use caused yarrow to be dubbed "Herba Militaris",
the military herb, in early Europe. Other nicknames for yarrow
include "bloodwort" and "nosebleed". "Millefolium"
means one thousand leaves and refers to yarrow's finely divided
foliage.
The ancient Chinese method of foretelling the future, based
on the I Ching, a classical book of the Confucian era (551-479
BC), uses 50 sticks of dried, stripped yarrow stems. These
are tossed into the air and meaning is attributed to the pattern
they form upon falling.
The herb's common name is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word,
"gearwe", which would have been pronounced something
like "Yawraway".
The genus "Achillea" comprises of over 80
species. If you've resisted adding this weedy and invasive
plant to your herb garden, with its dull white and pink flowers,
you'll be delighted to learn that breeders have recently augmented
the herb's color range to include lilacs, crimsons and clear
whites. These improved cultivars are generally less invasive
than the species, but may revert to the latter if allowed
to go to seed. Wild and cultivated yarrows hybridize freely.
The Richter's catalogue
lists the following varieties: Standard, the preferred type
for medicinal use; Mace, with its spicy aroma of the oriental
spice; Moonshine, the best variety for drying; Red; Sneezewort;
traditionally used as a snuff for clearing nasal congestion;
Woolly, a low mat-forming variety with golden flowers (this
particular yarrow will rot if not given good drainage), and
Yellow, a tall variety - up to 5 feet - with large yellow
flowers.
Yarrow grows easily from seed and will thrive in the most
marginal of soils with the exception of soggy ground. Indeed,
manure or fertilizer, or too much shade, will cause the development
of weak stems. The herb prefers full sun in slightly acid
soil, although a few species prefer a higher pH. Yarrow is
a winter hardy perennial in zones 3 to 9 and thrives better
with cool nights. It will attract many species of butterflies
to your garden, along with lady beetles and tiny parasitic
wasps that prey on aphids. Also, yarrow discarded in your
compost pile will speed decomposition.
Standard yarrow can be cultivated as a lawn. It will withstand
light foot traffic and will eventually choke out weeds. It
should be mowed about three times a year to prevent flowering.
Sow the seed in late summer or spring, using half pound of
seed per 100 square yards. Spread evenly and press lightly
into a prepared bed with a roller. Do not use fertilizer.
The wisdom of yarrow's traditional use as a wound healer has
been verified by current research. More than 82 medicinal
compounds have been found in the herb. Achilleine works as
a hemostatic (blood clotting agent) and an astringent. A German
study published in Planta
Medica in 1994 found that the chamazulene in yarrow
inhibits the formation of leukotriene, which triggers inflammation.
Another German study, published in Arzneimittelforschung
in June 1995, found that yarrow's flavonoids (which provide
the plant's pigment) help the body produce prostaglandin,
a chemical that controls smooth muscle contraction. When taken
internally, this makes yarrow a useful herb for relieving
gastrointestinal ailments including diarrhea, bloating and
cramps. According to the German
Commission E, yarrow's antispasmodic qualities make it
particularly useful for treating menstrual cramps. Yarrow
is also antibacterial and contains salicylic acid, the active
ingredient in aspirin. To reduce fevers, yarrow combines well
with elder flower, peppermint, boneset, cayenne and ginger.
For reducing blood pressure it may be combined with hawthorn,
linden flowers and European mistletoe. These herbs may be
taken internally as teas or tinctures. To make yarrow tea,
steep one tablespoon of the dried herb in one cup of boiled
water for 10-15 minutes. Strain and drink three cups in one
day for gastrointestinal problems, fever, hemorrhoids or bruises,
or drink all three cups at once to slow heavy menstrual bleeding.
For toothaches and minor cuts and burns, apply the tea topically.
To combat a cold, make a tea of yarrow along with elderflower
and peppermint. Combine equal amounts of all three herbs.
Infuse one teaspoon of the dried herb mixture - twice as much
if you're using fresh herbs - and allow it to steep in one
cup of water for 10 minutes. Drink three cups a day. If you
can catch the cold early enough, you'll find this a very effective
remedy.
Yarrow is not toxic, but allergies to the herb are common
and sensitivity appears to increase with use. Even simple
teas that contain yarrow can cause a mild skin rash and increase
photosensitivity. If these symptoms develop, use should be
discontinued.
Because of its potential as an allergen, yarrow should be
used in moderation in the kitchen. Its leaves and buds have
a mellow, sage-like flavor and may be added to wild salads
and soups. Mace yarrow (Achillea decolorans) is the one species
with culinary appeal. Its narrow, sharply toothed green leaves
have a distinctive nutmeg or mace aroma. A small amount of
the leaves, finely minced, add a pleasing piquancy to soups,
stews, salads (especially potato salads) and cheese dishes.
Yarrow is enduringly popular for dried flower arrangements
and wreaths. The yellow-flowered yarrows in particular last
for years with minimal fading. The new pastel cultivars do
fade upon drying, but the resultant muted colors are still
beautiful and popular among crafts aficionados.
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