Yarrow has a long and interesting history in folklore. In days of yore, no self-respecting Saxon would leave home without it. They made sure it was tucked away in their protective amulet to ward off all manner of evil, sickness and misfortunate happenings. Middle Age brew masters used it in an herbal mixture as flavoring for beer.
An herbaceous plant, its biological name is Achillea millefolium and it belongs to the Asteraceae (common name Aster) family of plants. The flower tops are made up of small white daisy-like blooms and can most easily be recognized by its long feathery leaves. The leaves can be steamed and eaten as a vegetable or added to soup. Yarrow prefers well drained soil and is common in meadows and on roadsides. Butterflies are attracted to it and it makes a good companion in the garden, attracting beneficial insects, and improving the health of sick plants.
Yarrow’s medicinal properties are a bit of a contradiction as it is known to stop blood flow as well as start it. It’s good for skin problems, depression, inflammation, relieving cramps and spasms. Yarrow is anti-septic and also good for combating colds and flu. The essential oil is obtained from steam distillation and ranges from pale-greenish blue to dark blue in color. It has a spicy, sweet, herbaceous scent. It blends well with Frankincense, Myrrh, Chamomile, and Helichrysum.
I thought it interesting that Yarrow’s genus name “Achillea” comes from the mythic warrior Achilles who carried it with him during battle to treat wounds. Apparently he did not have any on him when he got shot in the heel! Achilles along with a long list of other famous mythic heroes, Ajax, Jason and Hercules among them, was a student of the centaur Chiron in the healing arts. Chiron was the antithesis of the typical centaur. Centaurs were notorious for their raucous antics and love of wine. Chiron, on the other hand was a gentle and wise centaur. He shared his knowledge of healing herbs, and I imagine Yarrow was high on his list.
Sun, Jun 20, 2010
Blog, Essential Oils