yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Flavor Profile and Uses
Identification
Harvesting Instructions
- Distinct, floral, medicinal, earthy, slightly bitter, and slightly sweet taste when prepared as a tea
- Has a rich history of medicinal use dating back at least as far as the Neanderthal
- A bitter tonic herb containing tannins, up to 1.4% volatile oil, lactones, flavonoids, and up to a dozen different anti-inflammatory compounds
- A "go-to" during cold and flu season because of its strong diaphoritic properties that assist our bodies in reducing fever and eliminating pathogens
- First choice in herbal first aid kits for stopping bleeding - simply pick a few leaves and apply fresh
Identification
- Bi-pinnate, fern-like leaves borne from laterally spreading rhizomes that support multiple flower stalks that usually grow 1 - 3' tall
- Individual ray- or disk-shaped flowers bloom profusely from midsummer through fall and range in color from pure white to bright pink and yellow
- Entire plant is pleasantly aromatic and reminiscent of the smell of chrysanthemums
- Thrives with full sun and well drained soils that other plants find too poor (prefers sandy, gravelly loam but will perform well in rich garden soil)
Harvesting Instructions
- Cut the entire aerial portion of the plant when flowers begin to open
- Hang in bundles upside down in an area protected from the elements with good airflow, checking every couple of days
- For small amounts, chop roughly and dry in a single layer on a screen
- Once completely dry, store in an airtight container (preferably with paper or desiccation packets added to absorb moisture and prevent molding over time)
Carpenter, Jeff, and Carpenter, Melanie. The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer. Chelsea Green Publishing, 2015.