Herbal Teas on the Cheap: Part 9 - Yarrow

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.

Herbal Teas on the Cheap: Part 2 - Found Recipes

Searching the Internet, I found some recipes for herbal tea blends at Straight From the Farm :



We will look at each ingredient is more depth in following posts, and perhaps come up with some blends of our own.

HERBAL TEA RECIPES
Created by Straight from the Farm

Floral Fantasy Tea
3 parts Lavender
3 parts Yarrow
1 part Chamomile
1 part Stevia


Spiced Anise Tea
4 parts Anise Hyssop
1 part Cinnamon
1 part Vanilla Bean
1 part Cloves


Devoted Remembrance Tea
3 parts Rosemary
3 parts Lavender
3 parts Marjoram
2 parts Anise Hyssop


Dark Rose Tea
2 parts Rose Hips
3 parts Anise Hyssop
3 parts Yarrow
1 part Bergamot


Aromatic Mint Tea
2 parts Spearmint
1 part Marjoram
1 part Sweet Woodruff
1 part Sage

Good Start Tea
2 parts Yarrow
2 parts Rose Hips
2 parts Lavender
1 part Marjoram
1 part Stevia


Chocolate Mint Tea
4 parts Chocolate Mint
3 parts Lavender
2 parts Sweet Woodruff
1 part Stevia
1 part Rose Hips


Black Licorice Tea
2 parts Anise Hyssop
2 parts Bergamot
2 parts Marjoram
2 parts Spearmint


Everything & More Tea
1 part Lavender
1 part Yarrow
1 part Anise Hyssop
1 part Stevia
1 part Spearmint
1 part Bergamot
1 part Rose Hips
1 part Calendula

Love Charm Tea
3 parts Yarrow
1 part Lavender
1 part Anise Hyssop
1 part Spearmint