Yarrow

Book of Shadows - Gardening

Written by Madame Aradia

Saturday, 14 November 2009 15:55

Ah, late autumn....a time of year when the trees have shed their leaves, frost is heavy on the ground, some might spend their evenings near a warm fire sipping hot cider, and....colds and flus are circulated. And what better way to combat that cold or flu than with hot yarrow tea. Yarrow has many uses-yes, including aiding in recovery from colds and flus. Some say the “golden cure” is peppermint, elderflowers, and yarrow. Yarrow is also useful for inducing sleep, easing pain and bruises when applied as a poultice, reducing blood pressure, and speeding up blood clotting (thus explaining another common name for yarrow, Nosebleed). Really, the list of ailments yarrow is known to help is endless. This herb is also a natural antiseptic and has anti-inflammatory properties. Native to Europe and Asia, yarrow is a very common, unfussy herb. It likes full sun, but will tolerate poor, dry soil. Even if not used for its medicinal purposes, yarrow is still great to grow in your garden for the benefit of the other flowers and herbs. It attracts predatory insects like wasps, ladybugs, and hoverflies and repells bad ones. The leaves are a good fertilizer when added to compost, and it has even been discovered that sick plants will become healthy when grown near them. During the Middle Ages, yarrow was worn to protect the wearer from just about everything....though most often for love and friendship or protection. Legend says the herb would also provide courage, improve psychic powers, and even prevent baldness. It was also used in exorcisms...perhaps explaining another name for the herb, Devil’s Nettle. Other common names for yarrow include Arrowroot, Wound Wort, Milfoil, Field Hops, Lady’s Mantle, and Witch’s herb. My own varieties of yarrow are pictured here.