Day 28: Yarrow tea

Achillea millefolium

Isn’t it funny that sometimes when we look for something, we cannot find it. Yet, when we stop looking, the thing appears, as if it had been hiding, playing a game. This happens to me with yarrow. It hides in the grass, rarely getting to flower due to frequent cutting.

When I find a good patch, I love to stroke it, like moss, or my cat Mossy. It’s a bit like Earth fur. I like finding Earth fur.

ID features

When hiding in the grass it is tiny, (2cm), up to 20cm. However, if left to flower it will reach around knee high or even up to a meter.

It has very feathery leaves, its Latin name, millefolium, means “many leaves”. The leaves cover almost the entire length of the stem. They grow facing one direction, with a hairy backside and glossier front. They are deeply lobed.

When young, each stem is just its own piece, with no branching. When mature, the stem has a number of these long individual stems and leaves which grow around the stem at an even distribution.

The flowers are white and grow in clusters at the top. They are particularly aromatic when crushed.

Medicinal uses

You may know yarrow as one of the field remedies to stop bleeding. It is frequently employed in tea mixes to reduce excessive menstrual bleeding. It is a styptic so will contract the little capillaries enough to staunch bleeding.

When taken over time, it strengthens and tones the tissues of the pelvic organs which has a regulating effect on the period. It will also bring on a bleed that is slow to start due to congestion, relieving any associated pain as the flow is encouraged.

Yarrow has a strengthening effect on the blood vessels by toning their inner wall. At the same time, or where needed, it relaxes the smooth muscle layer of the blood vessels. This means it will tone in cases of lax varicose veins and relax in the case of high blood pressure, (hyper-tension). So, it has a normalising action.

As a peripheral dilator, yarrow is used well for bringing down fevers. As the blood vessels dilate, they become closer to the surface of the skin which has an overall cooling effect by encouraging sweating.

Additionally, yarrow is a bitter herb, particularly when including the flowers. It shares some of the soothing digestive healing qualities of chamomile.

How to make a cuppa

I picked about 6 leaves and cut them up for my teacup. When the flowers are out in the summer, I would add those as well.

Taste

Today I found the taste very mild. Fresh and green. It was only on munching the remains of my tea that I could detect any bitterness. If I’d have had flowers, I think it would have tasted stronger. I imagine it may also be stronger after a sunny period and in more mature plants.

Cautions

Do not drink if pregnant as it is a herb that can induce menstrual bleeding.

Click the button below to listen to my:

Yarrow tea audio reflections

 For those Local to me:

You can book me to host a herb walk either one-to-one, with a friend or as a group, (up to 20 participants max.) £10pp for group, or £30 single/in a pair. Bring a flask of hot water for a foraged tea. Contact to arrange date and time. Locations in and around the Bristol and North Somerset area.

sarah-janecobley@healthneedsthyme.co.uk

 Herbal Medicine Consultations

I am a qualified medical herbalist, trained in much the same way as a GP. However, my medicines are from nature's medicine chest. They nourish and strengthen so that your body can heal itself. I offer consultations via video call and send tonics out in the post. Email me to book an appointment: sarah-janecobley@healthneedsthyme.co.uk