Achillea millefolium

Achillea millefolium, commonly known as yarrow () or common yarrow, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Growing to 1 metre (3+1⁄3 feet) tall, it is characterized by small whitish flowers, a tall stem of fernlike leaves, and a pungent odor. The plant is native to temperate regions of Eurasia and North America. It has been introduced as feed for livestock in New Zealand and Australia. It has some potential uses, including in traditional medicine.

Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

Edible Uses

The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, though they have a rather bitter flavour. They make an acceptable addition to mixed salads and are best used young. The leaves are also used as a hop substitute for flavouring beer and as a preservative in brewing. An aromatic tea can be made from the flowers and leaves, and an essential oil from the flowering heads is used as a flavouring for soft drinks. Although yarrow is generally a nutritious and beneficial addition to the diet, some caution should be exercised — see notes on possible toxicity in the known hazards section.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are eaten in small quantities to make a cool somewhat bitter addition to salads. The fine leaves stripped off the stems are also boiled well then eaten. (It has a reputation as a herb in medicine). The dried leaves are also used for tea. They are also used as a hops substitute. The young leaves are cooked as a vegetable. They are also used for pickles. The flowers are used in herbal teas and lemonade. They are also fried in butter and sprinkled with sugar or orange juice. Caution: It should probably not be eaten in significant quantities nor for extended periods of time as it can cause rashes.

Medicinal Uses

Yarrow has a high reputation in herbal medicine and is widely used both internally and externally for a broad range of conditions, particularly wounds, bleeding, colds, fevers, kidney diseases, and menstrual pain. The whole plant is used fresh or dried, and is best harvested when in flower. It is antiseptic, antispasmodic, mildly aromatic, astringent, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, odontalgic, stimulant, bitter tonic, vasodilator, and vulnerary. It also contains the anti-inflammatory compound azulene, though levels vary even among plants growing in the same habitat. The herb combines well with elder flowers (Sambucus nigra) and peppermint (Mentha x piperita vulgaris) for treating colds and influenza. Fresh leaf can be applied directly to an aching tooth to relieve pain. Large or frequent doses taken over a long period may be potentially harmful, causing allergic rashes and increased skin sensitivity to sunlight.

Known Hazards

Large or frequent doses taken over a long period may be potentially harmful, causing allergic rashes and increased skin sensitivity to sunlight.

Distribution

A temperate plant. The plant is native to Europe. It suits most soil conditions. It is drought and frost resistant. It grows best in well drained soils. It suits hardiness zones 3-10. Hobart Botanical Gardens. Tasmania Herbarium.

Where It Grows

Africa, Alaska, Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Bolivia, Bosnia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, Chile, China, Croatia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Europe*, Falklands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hawaii, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, North America, Norway, Pacific, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, West Indies,

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils and situations but prefers well-drained soil in a sunny position. Shade tolerant. Plants live longer in poor soil and do well on lime. Established plants are very drought tolerant; they can show distress in very severe droughts but usually recover. It remains green after grass has turned brown in a drought. Plants succeed in maritime gardens. The plant has a very spreading root system and is usually quite invasive. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures to about -25°c. Yarrow is an excellent plant for growing in lawns, meadows, orchards, etc.; it is tolerant of repeated close cutting and of being walked on. It works to improve the soil fertility. A very good companion plant, it improves the health of plants growing nearby and enhances their essential oil content, thus making them more resistant to insect predation. Some named forms are selected for their ornamental value. 'Pink' (syn. 'Rosea') has aromatic foliage and deep pink flowers. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. A good bee plant is an important nectar source for many insects. For polyculture design and the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub, etc. and size shown above), information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. Yarrow can be harvested from late spring to early summer, primarily in bloom. Yarrow typically flowers in late spring to early summer.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring or early autumn in a cold frame; it generally germinates within 1–3 months. Prick seedlings out into individual pots once large enough to handle and plant out during summer. Divide plants in spring or autumn — very straightforward, and divisions can go directly into their permanent positions at any time of year. Basal cuttings of new shoots can be taken in spring; collect shoots at around 10cm tall, pot individually, and keep in a warm but lightly shaded spot. They should root within 3 weeks and be ready to plant out by summer.

Other Uses

The growing plant repels beetles, ants, and flies, and has been burned to ward off mosquitoes. A liquid plant feed can be made by filling a container with leaves, covering with water, and leaving to soak for one to two weeks; the resulting dark liquid is then diluted approximately 10:1 with water before use. Yarrow is an essential ingredient in the 'Quick Return' herbal compost activator, a dried and powdered herbal mixture that speeds up bacterial activity in compost heaps. The fragrant seeds have been used to impart a pleasant scent indoors. An essential oil obtained from the leaves — present at 0.6 to 0.85% — is used medicinally. The leaves have also been used as a cosmetic cleanser for greasy skin. Yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the flowers. Yarrow spreads quickly via its roots and makes a good ground cover plant. It is a dynamic accumulator, drawing minerals and nutrients from the soil into a more bioavailable form for use as fertiliser or mulch.

Other Information

It is sold in local markets. Foraged plants are provided to restaurants in Sweden.

Notes

This one is used in medicine. It contains inulin that produces fructose and therefore doesn't boost blood glucose. There are about 85-100 Achillea species. They are temperate in Europe and Asia.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Ajenquillo, Akarkhara, Altamisa, Aster yaro, Biranjasif, Bunch of Daisies, Chopandiga, Civanpercemi, Falsa altamisa, Gandana, Hajdučka trava, Hazaraterevuk, Herezan, Hundred-leaved grass, Kraujazole, Lule te bardha, Milenrama, Milfoil, Milhojas, Momadnu, Navadni rman, Parsmanduk'i, Pelaski, Plumilla, Raudrohi, Rojmari, Rooamari, Ryllik, Sanguinary, Shi, Soldier’s Woundwort, Sporiš, Thousand Leaf, Tysiachelistnik, Verihein, Wodaa kwasiba

References (69)

• Abbet, C., et al, 2014, Ethnobotanical survey on wild alpine food plants in Lower and Central Valais (Switzerland). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 151 (2014) 624–634
• Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 10
• Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 6
• Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 442
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 44

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