Yarrow, White
Achillea millefolium
Price: $2.75
SKU: 4000461Also referred to as ' Yarroway', 'Milfoil' or simply 'Yarrow', 'White Yarrow' has had a lot of interesting common names over the centuries. Alluding to its traditional medicinal usage, it was called, 'Soldier's Woundwort', 'Knight's Milfoil', Carpenter's Weed', Bloodwort', and 'Herba Militaris', among others.[1] Its botanical name, Achillea, is said to be derived from the ancient story of how Achilles, during the Trojan War, used the leaves of the plant to stop the bleeding of his fellow soldiers.
'White Yarrow' is a somewhat sprawling plant with silky looking foliage that can reach about twenty four inches tall. Its flowers are white to pale lavender in color, look like miniature daisies, and bloom from June into September. Yarrow nicely fills empty spaces around shrubbery in bark beds, attracts butterflies, and is attractive as a dried flower. A perennial plant in USDA zones 3 to 11. Each packet contains 0.1 gram, which is approximately 600 seeds.
The Victory Seed Company does not advocate medical self-diagnosis or
self-medication. Reference to the medicinal properties of plants are
described here for educational and historical purposes only and are not
to be construed as a prescription, prognosis or diagnosis for any
disease or illness. As with any remedies or medicines, you should
consult your personal health care provider before using.
As previously mentioned, 'White Yarrow' was historically used for its diaphoretic, astringent, tonic, stimulant, and mild aromatic medicinal properties..[1,2] Depending on the treatment, all parts of the plant were used.
For the treatment of severe colds, measles, and other "eruptive diseases," especially in children, it was used to commence fever. For this purpose, a tea or infusion was made using one ounce of dried yarrow to one pint of boiling water. After it has cooled down a bit, a little Cayenne pepper powder was added and then it was sweetened to taste with honey or sugar. Drunk warm, the dose was a wineglass full, several times a day. It is said to open pores.
Plant in a location that receives full sun and has well-drained
soil. Sow on the surface as the seeds need light to germinate. Thin as
needed and divide plants every three to four years to reinvigorate them,
as well as to increase your plantings.
Informational Resources:
- "A Modern Herbal," Mrs. M. Grieve, 1931, p. 863-864.
- "Tyler's Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs & Related Remedies," Steven Foster & Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D., MJF Books, New York, 1999.
