A few years ago I bought a yarrow plant to add to my garden. It was one of those intuitive moments because I knew in my heart that yarrow was good for something. I just wasn’t sure what that something was. Still, I had to have it but The Renaissance Man looked skeptical. This started me on the quest to find all I needed to know about yarrow.
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I brought my new baby plant home and quickly popped it in the dirt next to the garden sage. I promised The Renaissance Man it would be pretty and hardy.
Sure enough, the very next year the yarrow came back in full force. The new flower buds were a pretty peachy-pink and as they matured, they turned a soft off-white. Consequently, they also brought in a slew of butterflies and made our local bees very happy.
Things to Know about Growing Yarrow
Yarrow, or Achillea millefolium, is a hardy plant. It is grown in borders, ground cover, and also open meadows. It’s a member of the Compositae or Daisy family.
It prefers full sun and sandy or loamy, well drained soil. It thrives in hot dry conditions but should be watered if the rain accumulation is less that an inch per week.
Too much water will cause stem rot and not enough sunlight will cause the stalks to grow leggy which looks like tall lanky stems with the foliage spread far apart.
There was a small tree near my first yarrow plant that grew too big and blocked the sun. My poor yarrow suffered. By the third year it barely grew and never bloomed. When it didn’t return the following summer, I bought another and planted it in a sunnier spot.
Yarrow will grow just fine with only sunlight and average rain fall.
If you want yours to really thrive, top dress it with a little compost. Similarly, you could work a little Dr. Earth into the soil. I swear by this stuff. Be aware that extra rich soil will encourage very enthusiastic growth. That’s always fun.
I bought my plant from the local nursery, but you could start from seed after the last frost. The seeds will sprout quicker if the ground is warm so, depending on where you live, you might have better luck starting them indoors.
Yarrow plants should be spaced between one and two feet apart so they have room to grow. It will get between 2-4 feet tall. Like I said before, they are really hardy and need very little attention.
Another good thing to know about yarrow is they are susceptible to aphids and diseases related to too much water, such as, powdery mildew, rust, and stem rot. Likewise, they may cause contact dermititis, especially if you have an allergy to daisies. Just wear gloves and long sleeves when harvesting and processing.
Harvesting and Preserve
Harvesting yarrow is easy. I wait until all the flowers on a stalk have opened and turned white. This gives the pollinators a chance to do their thing and get their treat. A good time is around mid-morning, after the dew has evaporated but before the sun gets too hot.
Cut the stalk to about 4 inches from the ground. I only harvest one or two at a time but I don’t have a lot of plants and I only want the stalks that are ready.
A healthy, mature yarrow plant will have flower stalks in various stages of development. Some will be forming flowers, some will be ready and if you wait long enough some will be turning brown and developing seeds.
What now?
Once I’ve collected the stalks, I tie them together with some cotton twine and hang them upside down in my hall closet. I know that’s weird, but after some trial and error, it turns out this is the best place in this house. Your hall closet may not be the best place to dry flowers. Look for a place that is cool, dark and has good air flow. Preferably without a lot of traffic.
Yarrow only takes a day or two to completely dry. I know it’s ready when the leaves are crispy. I snip the flower heads off and then run my fingers down the stalk from top to bottom. Do this over a tray or bowl because the leaves come off easily and tend to get everywhere.
I store my dried herbs in air tight glass jars. I try not to chop them up too much, just enough to fit in the jar. Crushing the leaves releases the volatile oils and I’d rather wait until I’m ready to use it.
By the way, I was right; This baby does have some really powerful magical and medicinal qualities.
Things to Know about Yarrow Medicine
*I share this for informational purposes only; because I’m a geek and I love learning about this stuff. Please don’t use it as a substitute for seeking professional help. If you have a medical problem, please consult a medical professional.
Yarrow was also called Wound wort. It was traditionally used to staunch bleeding and heal wounds. It works especially well when it’s combined with comfry and plantain. Us freshly bruised leaves or powder the dry leaves for a styptic.
Yarrow tea is used to treat flu symptoms. Steep one ounce of dried plant in one pint of boiling water for 10 minutes. The leaves tend to be bitter. The dried flowers make a better tasting tea especially if blended with other herbs.
WebMD cautions that prolonged use can cause bleeding problems and to stop using it 2 weeks prior to having surgery.
Some other ways to use yarrow include:
- Adding yarrow to a steam bath in an effort to treat headaches and fever.
- Make into an ointment to relieve scrapes and bruises.
- As a chest rub for congestion.
- As a body rub for sore muscles and arthritis.
Combine yarrow with other herbs to enhance the effect; like eucalyptus for chest congestion or peppermint for sore muscles. - Make into a tincture for daily use. Use to relieve symptoms of upper respiratory infection, heavy menstrual bleeding or inflammation.
- Make Yarrow tea to treat gastric upset, intestinal cramps and dysentery.
- Yarrow can also be made into a poultice and a compress.
Back in the day, yarrow really was one of the go-to’s for injury or intestinal problems. These days, it isn’t considered safe for pregnant women to use. Yarrow is also contraindicated for people taking blood thinners.
Essential oil
Yarrow essential oil is used to treat gynecological problems. It is also used topically to heal stubborn wounds and to stimulate hair growth.
Never ingest essential oils and always dilute with a base oil before using on the skin.
Things to Know about Yarrow Magic
Yarrow is considered sacred to Achilles (its namesake), Aphrodite, Hermes and the Horned God. It is one of the 9 Sacred herbs.
The plant’s energy is ruled by Venus as well as the Element of Water.
Yarrow is a common ingredient in spells for healing, courage and intuition
- First of all, carry yarrow with you in charm bags or as a talisman to boost your self-esteem and courage.
- Perhaps, you would rather use the dried herb and flowers in a ritual bath to increase intuition and open your third eye.
- You could also burn dried Yarrow* as an incense to aid healing or to rid space of negative energies as an alternative to white sage.
- Finally you could add dried flowers to dream pillows to aid in restful sleep.
I’ve also read to add the dried flowers to dream pillows for prophetic dreams, so I’m not sure if it would be restful.
*note: be careful when burning random plants, especially if you have allergies or respiratory problems.
*Fun Fact* Did you know that yarrow was used in elaborate exorcisms by the early church?
Couples used to hang dried yarrow over their marriage bed. This was to ensure a loving relationship for 7 years.
*Really? Only 7? Perhaps that is when it needs to be replaced.
Maybe, that was considered a long marriage and if you both live that long then you didn’t need anymore magic?
The ancient Chinese used dried yarrow stalks to cast for the I Ching because they believed the plant had a perfect balance of Yin and Yang
Things to know about Yarrow and Energy Work
I believe the most potent magical use for Yarrow would be in energetic healing rituals because it is such a potent physical healing herb.
Physically, yarrow is known to both stop a wound from bleeding and also to provide anti-everything* protection so it can heal correctly.
*by anti-everything I’m referring to the anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties of the plant.
Using this idea, magically, Yarrow can also stop the flow of energy and protect us energetically so we can heal.
Right now you may be thinking, “Whoa! Heather, wait, we don’t want energy to stop! That’s a bad thing, Energy has to flow!”
You are not wrong. Just like blood has to flow inside the body, energy has to flow through the body so stopping that would be a bad thing. However, we don’t always control our energy flow, do we?
Sometimes we just let our energy fly around, wherever our ADD drags us!
Sometimes we wish we had another set of hands.
And then, sometimes we pray for a cloning machine so we could do more!
Okay maybe that’s just me.
In this sense, I’m thinking of the times when we give too much; when we allow too much; when we take on too many responsibilities…..
I’m thinking of those times when our energy is just given so quickly and completely that we’re left empty with nothing left to renew ourselves.
After spending some time with Yarrow, I feel like this would be a good herb to add to our rituals and our charm bags because it will remind us to set boundaries. It can also encourage us to say no sometimes and to remember to slow down and take the time to rejuvenate ourselves.
That’s what I’m planning on using it for.
Do you have yarrow growing in your magical garden? Have you used it for medical or magical reasons? What are your favorite ways to use this amazing plant? Leave a comment let me know!
Don’t have any yarrow? I’ve got some! You can find it here.
Need more than that? You can get it in bulk here.
