Traditional Use

Yarrow has been revered as a powerful wound herb since ancient times, famously associated with the Greek hero Achilles, who was said to have used it to treat his soldiers' battlefield injuries. This reputation gave rise to its botanical name, Achillea. Traditionally, fresh yarrow leaves were applied directly to wounds to help staunch bleeding, and the plant was widely used across Europe for internal and external healing.

Clinical Discussion

Fresh yarrow leaf acts as a styptic, helping to stop bleeding in deep cuts and wounds. The whole herb contains essential oils with potent antimicrobial properties, including chamazulene, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound that gives yarrow essential oil its deep blue colour when steam-distilled. Interestingly, 18th-century herbalist Bergius observed that this blue oil only developed when the plant was grown in clay-rich soils, while yarrow from sandy soils produced a weaker green or yellow oil.
As a bitter, aromatic herb, yarrow also supports the digestive system, especially the liver, by stimulating bile flow and aiding fat absorption. It increases circulation to the abdominal and pelvic areas, making it useful for menstrual conditions linked to stagnation, such as amenorrhoea. Its diaphoretic action encourages sweating, supporting fever management during colds and flu. A classic remedy combines yarrow with mint (Mentha spp.) and elderflower (Sambucus nigra) as an infusion for early-stage viral infections. Externally, its astringent and vulnerary properties make it effective in sprays or lotions for varicose veins, haemorrhoids, and slow-healing wounds.

Cultivation & Harvesting

Yarrow is easy to grow and makes a beautiful, low-maintenance addition to any herbal garden or wild patch. Once established, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and tolerates drought and poor conditions. Sow seeds in spring or divide established clumps in autumn to propagate.
Harvest the aerial parts, leaves and flowering tops for medicinal use, just as the flowers begin to open, ideally on a dry, sunny morning when the volatile oils are at their peak. Dry in bunches, hung upside-down in a warm, shaded, well-ventilated area.
Although the roots are less commonly used, you can grow and harvest them in the second or third year, digging them up in autumn after the plant has died back.