Achillea millefolium, or Yarrow by its common name, is one of the more versatile herbs one can use.

What I love about herbs is how well rounded they are. One herb has seemingly countless actions in the body even though they often get thought of for only one or two main purposes. I enjoy reviewing the herbs as after more than a decade practicing I still learn little nuances about them from time to time. Herbs continue to teach, inspire, and help me to transform my patient’s lives.

Achillea millefolium, or Yarrow, was one of the first plants that really stuck with me in medical school. My connection with Yarrow was from planting it at my parent’s house in Ohio. We were drawn to it at the nursery because of its beautiful flowers, but I had no idea of its medicinal properties at the time. My family and I planted a few plants, but as the years passed the yarrow took over the area in which it was planted. Years later, sitting in a classroom and learning about Yarrow, I was transported back to my yard and even now when I use Yarrow with a patient I still remember the smell, feel, and beauty of the plant.

Achillea’s actions include diaphoretic, anti-styptic, bitter, and astringent to name a few. This powerful herb can be used with allergies, hemorrhoids, circulatory disorders, influenza/colds, menorrhagia with weakness in the uterus, uterine spasms, and even mucous membrane conditions. I have often used achillea in my formulation for women with restlessness, pelvic pain and heavy periods. But, recently, as I was re-reading about this amazing herb I was also reminded of its importance within cold and flu support!

Application-wise, it can be used topically on open wounds or hemorrhoids, used as a tea, tincture (of course), but even in a bath. This powerful herb has many things to offer the body. It can even help to break fevers, as implied earlier. Yarrow can even help strengthen those who are sensitive to others and their environment. Moving forward, Achillea/Yarrow will likely become a bigger part of my tincture formulations.

Thank you, Herbs, for your powerful healing properties!

Image Credit: Petar Milošević (Wikipedia) (CC BY-SA 4.0)