The Many Wonders of Achillea
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), a flowering herb native to Europe, Asia, and North America, has for centuries been celebrated for its countless medicinal properties and aromatic qualities. This remarkable plant can be used in various forms, including herbal teas, herbal infusions, hydrosol, and essential oil.
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Walther Müller Illustrator1
Ancient Battlefield to Modern Herb Garden
In early 2000s an archeological dig in northern Spain uncovered the remains of several Neanderthals dating back over 50,000 years. Scientists scraped tartar from the the teeth and discovered evidence of Yarrow and Chamomile![2]
According to myth, Achilles was the first to use Yarrow to help staunch the bleeding of wounded soldiers in the 13th or 12th century BCE. The ancient Greeks called it Herba militaria because of this use on the battlefield.
In 1753, Carl Linneaus, the Father of Plant Taxonomy, renamed Yarrow Achillea. This renaming may have been to honor Achilles who was known as the greatest of Greek soldiers, lauded for his loyalty and courage. The species name millefolium describes the plant’s feathery leaves, which have the appearance of a thousand (mille) tiny leaves (folium) on each stem.
In the garden, Yarrow’s deep roots help reduce soil erosion. As a companion plant, it enhances the ability of other garden plants to repel harmful insects and attract beneficial ones. They make beautiful cut and dried flowers. And Yarrow plants come in a rainbow of colors!
Whether employed as a garden helper, or in herb, essential oil, or hydrosol form, today Yarrow is valued for its energetic cleansing and protective nature. Much like Lavender in its energy, Yarrow goes where it’s needed. It has a balancing, harmonizing effect on the mind, body, and herb garden.
Yarrow: The “Cure All” Herb
Harvested from the plant’s leaves and flowers, Yarrow is renowned for its numerous health benefits. The white blossomed variety is most commonly used in herbal applications.
In teas, the herb is commonly used (sparingly) to relieve digestive and respiratory issues, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the immune system. It has a relaxing effect on smooth muscle, making it useful for intestinal and menstrual cramping.
In an infused herbal oil, Yarrow can be applied to bumps, sprains, strains, and muscle pulls to reduce inflammation and bruising. Incorporate the herbal oil into a salve and apply to wounds to stop bleeding and speed healing. Combine the herbal oil with Yarrow essential oil and massage gently into areas with varicose veins.
Sore throat? Make a gargle with a strong infusion of Yarrow herbal tea.
Combine Yarrow, Peppermint, and Lavender or Chamomile as a beautiful as a bath additive! Then sip your tea in a tepid bath to help cool the body.
“An ointment of the leaves cures wounds, and is good for inflammations, ulcers, fistulas, and all such running as abound with moisture.”
~Nicholas Culpeper, Complete Herbal (1850)[3]
Yarrow Essential Oil: The Blue Beauty
Extracted through steam distillation of the plant’s flowers and leaves, Yarrow essential oil has a sweet, herbaceous, somewhat fruity aroma. Like the herb, the essential oil has a broad range of therapeutic applications.
Yarrow essential oil…
- Promotes relaxation, relieves stress, and enhances feelings of calmness
- Reduces inflammation in muscles and joints
- Eases inflammation and aching of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis
- Soothes pre-menstrual cramping
- Encourages cell regeneration to reduce the appearance of scars
- Supports skin health with inflammatory skin conditions, like acne and eczema.
I don’t generally diffuse Yarrow essential oil, preferring instead to use it in topical applications which combine its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and skin-nourishing properties with its calming aromatic energy. I particularly enjoy combining the essential oil with the herb infused oil for this purpose.
Why is the Essential Oil Blue?
Only when Yarrow is steam distilled does the blue color appear. This is due to a breakdown of the chemical compound matricin into another chemical called chamazulene. Chamazulene is what gives Yarrow, German Chamomile, and Blue Tansy essential oils their incredible blue hue.
🔶️Special Safety Considerations: Chamazulene inhibits CYP2D6 metabolized drugs via all routes of application. Essential oils containing chamazulene may interfere with these medications.[4]
🌺See my Recommended Suppliers below
Yarrow Hydrosol: My Favorite Form
Like the essential oil, Yarrow hydrosol, also known as Yarrow floral water, is the product of steam distillation. It’s a gentle, versatile form of Yarrow, especially suitable for a variety of skin care applications.
The hydrosol doesn’t have a particularly pleasant aroma, however, so it’s best blended with other hydrosols that support skin health.
Here are some of my favorite Yarrow hydrosol skin care applications along with some suggestions for other hydrosols to combine with it.
- Refresh and revitalize the skin
- combine with Rose Geranium hydrosol in a mist and use through the day
- Balance pH, tighten pores, ease irritation
- combine with Rose hydrosol in a skin nourishing toner
- Combat acne and promote clear skin
- combine with Tea Tree hydrosol to enhance antibacterial properties
- Heal wounds and control minor bleeding
- combine with Lavender or Helichrysum hydrosol in an aftershave
- Soothe wind and sun burn
- combine with Peppermint hydrosol for skin cooling
- Ease ache of varicose veins
- combine with Witch Hazel hydrosol in a compress for affected areas
- Soothe itchy skin conditions, such as eczema and rashes
- combine with Roman Chamomile or German Chamomile to calm itching
🌺See my Recommended Suppliers below
💚PRO TIP: As a bonus, Yarrow hydrosol has the same soothing effect on our psyche that it has on our skin! Feeling a little frazzled? Experience the energetic cleansing of Yarrow hydrosol, by spritzing a little above your head, then, with closed eyes, breathe slowly and deeply.
Ingesting Yarrow Hydrosol
A spritz of Yarrow hydrosol into water several times a day is a gentle yet powerful detoxifier for the liver, renal system, and gastrointestinal tract.
Consider adding a refreshing squeeze of lemon or a spritz of revitalizing Peppermint hydrosol (or muddle a mint sprig) to further support these systems.
I encourage you to embrace the power of Yarrow and explore the many ways it can enrich your wellness journey.
References
- Köhler, F.E. (1887). Medizinal-Pflanzen. Gera-Untermhaus. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/mobot31753002839139/page/n1/mode/2up
- Barras, C. Neanderthal dental tartar reveals evidence of medicine. New Scientist, 18 July 2012. Retrieved from https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn22075-neanderthal-dental-tartar-reveals-evidence-of-medicine#.Uym1WdxGhOo
- Culpeper, N. (1850). Complete Herbal. Thomas Kelly, London. Retrieved from https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/49513
- Tisserand, R., Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Ed. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
📌More Essential Oil Pins
Mom’s Yarrow Shopping List
- Yarrow Herb (Achillea millefolium):
- Mountain Rose Herbs, organic
- Starwest Botanicals, organic (on Amazon).
- Peppermint Leaf (Mentha x piperita):
- Elanen naturals, organic (on Amazon)
- Mountain Rose Herbs, organic
- Cinnamon Sticks (Cinnamomum spp):
- FGOrganics, organic (on Amazon)
- Mountain Rose Herbs, organic.
- Yarrow Essential Oil (Achillea millefolium):
- Aromatics International, organic
- Plant Therapy, organic.
- Yarrow Hydrosol (Achillea millefolium):
- Aromatics International, organic.
- Mint Hydrosols (Mentha spp):
- Spearmint Hydrosol (Mentha spicata) from Aromatics International, organic
- Peppermint Hydrosol (Mentha x piperita) from Aromatics International, organic (also on Amazon)
- Both of of Aromatics’ mint hydrosols are excellent spritzed into chilled still or sparkling water!
Cultivate your Green Thumb! Grow your own organic herbs, vegetables, and fruits from seed with the non-GMO, open pollinated seeds from my trusted suppliers: Seed Needs (on Amazon), Survival Garden Seeds (on Amazon), and Botanical Interests.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is for educational purposes only.
All recipes provided are for personal use and are not designed for re-sale or large-scale manufacturing.
Please consult your doctor, naturopath, herbal practitioner, or other qualified health professional for medical advice and before starting any herbal regimen, particularly if you are pregnant or nursing, have any existing medical conditions, or are taking any medications.
Chris P | Author, Certified Aromatherapist, Natural Skin Care Formulator
Chris (“Mom”) enjoys formulating bespoke aromatherapy, skin care, and herbal products to support her family, pets, friends, and clients. She also loves experimenting with recipes in the kitchen. An avid reader, writer, and lifetime learner, Chris enthusiastically explores research rabbit holes and then writes about her discoveries.💚 (Learn more >>)
