Achilles Thousand Leaves or Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)

This feathery plant has a long history and gets its name from the legendary Greek hero Achilles. The story goes that he used it on the battlefield to stop the bleeding of injured warriors. A poultice applied to bleeding wounds is actually effective as Yarrow is a hemostatic (aids in clotting).

Not only is yarrow known to be used for wounds, but holds as being used as an anti inflammatory, digestive aid, antispasmodic, and sedative.

Obviously, you should consult a medical professional as any of these articles should not be used in place of professional consultation for health issues.

Blood Clotting

The yarrow plant contains chemicals that support its historical use when applied to wounds to stop bleeding by encouraging coagulation.

Inflammation

There is also azulene, camphor, chamazulene, Eugenol, menthol, quercetin, Rutin, and salicylic acid contained within the yarrow plant that reduce inflammation and pain.

Antiseptic

The tannins, terpiniol, and cineol found in yarrow have antiseptic properties.

Stomach issues

A cup of chamomile tea is good for tummy issues but don't forget about yarrow. Yarrow contains some of the same properties as chamomile, acting as an antispasmodic to help relax the tissues in your digestive tract and provide some relief.

Antispasmodic

Those same properties that soothe a stomach ache contribute to reducing menstrual cramps among other spasms in your muscles.

Sedative

I'm sure that many of you who use herbs have heard of thujone. In large doses, thujone can be very dangerous! The effects of this chemical have been compared to marijuana, in terms of relaxation/sedation. The levels in yarrow are relatively low but, if taking other herbal remedies or any teas be aware of the presence of thujone in those herbs and how they may contribute to ingesting unsafe levels.

Other plants, like wormwood, have come under scrutiny for use due to the higher levels of thujone. I would always recommend using extreme caution when using herbs that contain thujone as high amounts can be toxic, cause kidney damage, vomiting, tremors, hallucinations, seizures, and is just an overall bad idea.

In small amounts the chemical acts as a sedative but if you are using multiple herbs that contain the chemical you could be putting yourself at risk.

Growing

Yarrow has many positive uses toward wound care, tummy troubles, and to top it off is relatively easy to grow, flowers beautifully, and is a good plant in your herb garden. It is perennial that is best grown in zones 3 to 9. Not to say it can't be grown elsewhere but, these zones will give you the best chance at success.

I recommend picking a spot where it can be kept under control and won't crowd out other slower, shorter growing herbs. It is also drought tolerant and will require minimal attention.

This pollinator friendly herb grows well next to broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, arugula, rosemary, lettuce, and spinach. The main reason for this is it attracts the bugs that eat the pests that destroy these companion plants. A real win for avoiding the use of chemicals in gardening and building pollinator friendly gardens.

Do not plant with cucumbers, winter squash due to its vulnerability to powdery mildew that can spread to these plants.

Conclusion

I would always recommend to test a plant topically for any reaction before ingestion. This could help identify potential issues, like allergies before introducing yarrow internally.

Do your homework, consult medical professionals, and always use caution when introducing something new into you!

It is still a lovely plant to grow and enjoy even if you never use it as an herb and the benefits to pollinators cannot be ignored.

PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD NOT USE YARROW!!!!

Do not use if you are allergic to plants like daisies or other Aster family plants.

Yarrow can make you sensitive to the sun.