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Yarrow

(Achillea millefolium)

This plant is associated with Greek God Achilles -  it is both powerful and distinctive, and once you have seen it you will start to notice it everywhere!

Yarrow - Alchemilla millefolium
Yarrow
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Fun facts

  • A member of the Asteraceae, or 'daisy' family. As with sunflowers, daisies or dandelions, each flower head is actually made up of a composite of many ray flowers (petals) and disk flowers (in the centre) - each with their own reproductive system. You can see the disk flowers that quite clearly on the top picture above. 

  • The herb's Latin name, Achillea millefolium, relates both to the Greek god Achilles and also the plant's supposed thousand leaves, which have a feathery appearance.

  • Some accounts say that Achilles' mother, Thetis, bathed him in the waters in which the plant grew, which made him invincible, but held him by the heel (hence his weakness!). Others say that Achilles used the herb to heal his warriors during battle. The historian in me wants to look up these sources - so I'll have to get back to you on that! 

  • It is well known for staunching blood, hence its common name 'bloodwort'.

  • It is commonly called "the plant doctor", as it's thought that planting it next to unhealthy plants will improve their growth! [2]

Properties 

  •  Astringent, circulatory, antiseptic, urinary antiseptic among others. Acts specifically on blood and circulatory system and has a dual function - it encourages blood flow when it is lacking and also acts to suppress excessive blood loss. [1]

Uses 

  • A highly medicinal plant, it can be use for healing wounds.

  • If you have a nosebleed you can scrunch it up and put it up your nose, it'll stop the bleeding. "Nosebleed" is one of its common names. 

  • Leaves and flowers are edible. I think it tastes reminiscent of  rosemary. You can use it as a herb for eg on roast potatoes, or add it to a salad. 

  • Makes a good tea as well, and this is traditionally used to break fevers. [1]

  • It is recommended to avoid this plant during pregnancy. 

Observations

  • This was one of the first plants I learnt to identifying when I started foraging.  It is an interesting plant because at first glance it looks like it might have characteristics in common with the umbellifer carrot family as it has many white flowers in a sort of upside down umbrella shape, not too dissimilar for example to Queens' Anne's Lace (or poison hemlock).  However when you look closely you not only realise that a) each flower is a composite flower but b) the feathery leaves are quite distinctive from anything that grows in the carrot family.

  • It often grows in lawns, and I indeed have many patches in my lawn. My toddler knows that mummy likes to go out side and pick yarrow!

  • I have included a closeup of yellow yarrow above (a photo taken in Ealing) - but this may be a garden escape as some cultivated varieties do have bright colours. Most wild yarrow is white or pale pink. [2]

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