Yarrow

Yarrow is a hardy, long-lived perennial that is easy to grow from seed and well suited to a wide range of conditions. Seed can be sown indoors in trays in early spring, or sown directly outdoors once the risk of frost has passed and the soil has begun to warm.

Sow the seed on the surface of the compost or soil and gently press it in; do not cover, as light helps to trigger germination. Keep the compost evenly moist but not waterlogged. For best results when sowing indoors, place trays in a warm position or heated propagator at around 18–25°C. Germination is usually reliable, typically taking around 10–20 days.

Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick out into individual pots and grow on until well established before planting out. If sowing directly, thin seedlings once established. Allow a spacing of around 30–45cm between plants, depending on how large you want clumps to grow.

Yarrow prefers full sun and free-draining soil and is particularly well suited to poorer or drier ground. Very rich soils can encourage excessive leafy growth and floppiness. Once established, it is drought tolerant and requires little ongoing care.

Plants usually produce leafy growth in their first year, followed by flat-topped flower heads in summer in subsequent years. Yarrow spreads readily by underground rhizomes as well as by seed, and can naturalise easily if conditions suit it. Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigour and keep plants in check.

The volatile oils found in yarrow, which include the blue chamazulene that is also found in chamomile essential oil, all contribute to the inflammation and infection-reducing properties that make yarrow such an important part of every herbal first aid kit.

This astringing and tightening effect on the exterior of the body is also of benefit internally for enhancing circulation as well as ironically stopping internal bleeding too. So it’s both a ‘blood’ mover’ and a ’styptic’; think veins, circulation and mucus membranes when it comes to Yarrow.

This ability to redistribute blood has made yarrow popular for hypertension, just as its astringent and bitter tastes helps with too much fluid in the digestive system; loose bowels and acidity. Its impact on the pelvic region make it helpful for menstrual and urinary imbalances too.

Yarrow is also a renowned diaphoretic that when taken as a hot tea helps to dilate the peripheral blood vessel circulation and gently diffuse the heat of an early seasonal infection, often used with peppermint and elderflowers. Its inflammation reducing and ‘exterior releasing’ properties make it a potential ally in hay fever.

Yarrow should be harvested just when the flowers come into bloom throughout the summer. Place on a drying rack and leave overnight at 40C.

For a herbal tea add 1-2 tsp of the cut herb to a cup of freshly boiled water, cover and infuse for 15 minutes. Best taken with a blend of other herbs for the desired effect.

Here’s how to make a tincture, an oil or a poultice.

Not to be taken in pregnancy.

Note on allergies to Asteracea family: One potential downside of the sesquiterpene lactones found in the Asteracea family is that they can act as mild to potent allergens for susceptible individuals. Reported reactions have ranged from varying degrees of allergic contact dermatitis all the way up to severe anaphylaxis requiring emergency treatment. Because these compounds are so widely distributed among the Asteraceae, cross reactions can easily occur. A person might become sensitized to the sesquiterpene lactones in one plant (e.g., Ragweeds – Ambrosia spp.) and subsequently will have a reaction to a novel species (e.g., Chamomile or Yarrow) in the family. This is why the herbalist should be cautious when using Asteraceae herbs with people who have a tendency toward respiratory and contact allergies or problems with chronic eczema / atopic dermatitis.