Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
A sturdy white meadow herb with one of the oldest wound-healing traditions on earth — Achilles's legendary plant, still valued for fevers, bleeding, and resilience.
At a glance
Sharp, slightly camphor-like, and faintly medicinal when fresh. Dried, it mellows to an earthy, faintly spiced bitterness. The infusion is pale gold-green and quite astringent.
- Fever-reducing diaphoretic tea
- Minor wound first-aid (poultice or wash)
- Heavy menstruation support
- Bitter digestive tonic
Modern research
Tradition
Yarrow may be the world's oldest documented medicinal plant — pollen was found in a 60,000-year-old Neanderthal burial in Shanidar Cave. In classical antiquity its Latin name commemorated Achilles, who reportedly packed his soldiers' wounds with it. Over 40 Native American nations used it. The pattern is global and consistent: stop bleeding, break fevers, ease pain.
Modern evidence
Despite extensive traditional use, yarrow lacks the clinical trial evidence of more heavily studied herbs. Most evidence is in vitro or from animal models. The mechanisms are well described (anti-inflammatory, hemostatic flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones) but have not been validated in human RCTs. This is a gap in research, not evidence of inefficacy — the herb has simply not been prioritized for expensive clinical trials.
How to use
Tea from the dried aerial parts (leaf and flower) is the traditional form. It is bitter — combine with elderflower and peppermint for a fever blend, or with chamomile for cramps. Fresh leaf poultice on minor wounds is the simplest use: chew or bruise a small handful and press on the wound.