Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is an upright perennial that grows from 1 to 3 feet in height. It produces pink to white flowers in June. The yarrow will spread from rhizomes underground, so caution must be used when planting to the control this herb.
There is much lore associated with Yarrow. It is also know by a variety of other names: Milfoil, Old Man's Pepper, Soldier's Woundwort, Knight's Milfoil, Herbe
Militaris, Thousand Weed, Nose Bleed, Carpenter's Weed, Bloodwort,
Staunchweed, Sanguinary, Devil's Nettle, Devil's Plaything, Bad Man's
Plaything, and Yarroway. The Highlanders still use it to make an ointment to apply to wounds and they dispel melancholy with Milfoil tea. It has been used for many hundreds of years to staunch the flow of blood from various wounds inflicted on the battlefield. In Sweden, it is known as "field hop" and has been used in the production of beer.
Planting and Growing Yarrow
Yarrow spreads rapidly and multiplies easily by seed. Care should be taken to prevent it from taking over the entire area. It would be most suitably grown in pots. The flowers, white or pale lilac,
being like minute daisies, in flattened, terminal, loose heads, or
cymes. The whole plant is more or less hairy, with white, silky hairs lying close to the stem.
Harvesting, Drying and Storing
The whole plant can be harvested. The leaves, stems and flowers should be harvested in late Summer, when the plant is in bloom. Dehydrate using a drying screen or your dehydrator. Store in a cool, dark place into ready to use.
