Yarrow Monograph

Yarrow 

Achillea millefolium

Quick Reference

Common names: yarrow, common yarrow, milfoil, nosebleed plant, soldier’s woundwort, knight’s milfoil, thousand-leaf
Latin name: Achillea millefolium
Plant family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
Parts used: aerial parts (leaves, flowers, stems)
Primary actions: styptic, vulnerary, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, antimicrobial
Best preparations: fresh poultice (first aid), infusion (tea), tincture, infused oil, salve
Safety rating: generally safe with specific cautions
Grown at Wild Clover Farm: yes — grows wild and cultivated

Botanical Description and Identification

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is one of the most important medicinal plants in traditional herbalism worldwide. Named after the Greek hero Achilles, who was said to use it to treat soldiers’ wounds, yarrow has long been valued as a frontline first-aid herb. It is found on every continent except Antarctica and thrives in a wide range of climates.

Plant Characteristics

Flowers:
Yarrow produces flat-topped clusters of many tiny flowers, usually white but sometimes pale pink. Each flowering cluster measures approximately 2 to 4 inches across. Individual florets are small, about one-eighth inch in size. Flowers bloom from late spring through summer and are aromatic when crushed.

Leaves:
Leaves are the plant’s most distinctive feature. They are finely divided, feathery, and fern-like, giving rise to the name milfoil, meaning “thousand leaves.” Leaves measure 2 to 8 inches long and emerge from a basal rosette as well as alternately along the stem. They are dark to medium green, slightly fuzzy, and strongly aromatic when crushed.

Stems:
Flowering stems are upright, slightly fuzzy, and angular rather than round. They arise from the basal rosette and support the flat flower clusters.

Roots:
Yarrow has a fibrous root system with spreading rhizomes. These underground runners allow the plant to spread horizontally and form colonies over time.

Key Identification Notes

Yarrow is distinctive once familiar, but careful identification is essential when foraging.

• Feathery, finely divided leaves with a soft texture
• Flat-topped clusters of small white or pale pink flowers
• Strong, aromatic scent when leaves or flowers are crushed
• Upright flowering stalks arising from a basal rosette

Several toxic plants, including poison hemlock and water hemlock, may resemble yarrow at a glance. Always confirm identification using multiple characteristics before harvesting.

Native Range and Habitat

Yarrow is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, Asia, and North America. It has naturalized widely and is now one of the most broadly distributed medicinal plants in the world.

Yarrow grows in a wide variety of habitats, including meadows, grasslands, pastures, roadsides, forest edges, and disturbed areas. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun but tolerates partial shade and poor soil conditions.

The plant is extremely cold-hardy, drought tolerant once established, and adaptable to a wide range of soil types and pH levels.

Growing Yarrow

Climate and Growing Conditions

Yarrow grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9 and is one of the easiest perennial herbs to cultivate.

Sunlight:
Full sun produces the strongest growth and best flowering, though light shade is tolerated.

Soil:
Yarrow prefers well-drained soil and performs best in lean to moderately fertile conditions. Rich soil encourages excessive growth and weaker medicinal quality.

Water:
Low to moderate water is sufficient. Once established, yarrow is drought tolerant and prefers soil to dry slightly between waterings.

Temperature:
Yarrow tolerates extreme cold and heat, though it may go semi-dormant during prolonged hot weather.

Propagation

From seed:
Seeds require light to germinate and should not be buried. Sow in spring after the last frost or in fall for natural cold stratification. Germination occurs within 10 to 21 days. First-year plants typically form a basal rosette and may not flower until the second year.

By division:
Division is the easiest propagation method. Established plants may be divided in spring or fall and replanted 12 to 18 inches apart. Divisions often flower the same season.

By rhizome cuttings:
Sections of rhizome may be planted horizontally and will readily establish under suitable conditions.

Care and Maintenance

Yarrow requires minimal care once established.

• Water during establishment only
• Avoid heavy fertilization
• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued bloom, if desired
• Divide plants every three to four years to maintain vigor
• Contain spreading rhizomes if necessary

Yarrow has few pest or disease issues and is generally resistant to deer and rabbits.

Harvesting Yarrow

What to Harvest and When

The aerial parts of the plant are harvested for medicinal use.

Harvest when flowers are just beginning to open or at full bloom for maximum potency. The best time of day is midmorning, after dew has dried but before midday heat.

Plants may be harvested two to three times per season by cutting back one-third to one-half of the growth. Leave sufficient growth for regrowth and pollinators.

Harvesting Methods

• Cut stems with clean scissors or pruners
• Harvest leaves separately before flowering, if desired
• Harvest flowers alone or with leafy stems

For immediate first-aid use, fresh leaves and flowers may be crushed and applied directly to minor wounds to stop bleeding.

Drying and Storage

Dry yarrow promptly after harvest.

Air-drying:
Bundle small groups of stems and hang upside down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for one to two weeks.

Screen drying or dehydrator:
Dry in a single layer at low heat, approximately 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, until fully crisp.

Properly dried yarrow retains its aroma, snaps cleanly when bent, and shows no residual moisture.

Store in airtight containers away from light and heat. Shelf life is one to two years.

Traditional and Modern Uses

Yarrow has a long history as a first-aid and fever herb.

Primary Uses

• Stops bleeding and supports clotting
• Promotes wound healing
• Reduces inflammation
• Supports fever management through sweating
• Aids digestion as a bitter tonic
• Supports circulatory and lymphatic systems

Historically, yarrow was used on battlefields, in folk medicine, and in domestic first aid for cuts, scrapes, nosebleeds, fevers, and digestive discomfort.

Energetics and Traditional Classification

• Temperature: warm to neutral
• Moisture: dry
• Taste: bitter, aromatic
• Tissue affinities: blood, skin, mucous membranes, digestive tract
• Energetic indications: excess heat, bleeding, inflammation, stagnation, acute injury

Yarrow is traditionally classified as a styptic vulnerary and circulatory stimulant, known for its paradoxical ability to both move blood and stop bleeding. It is indicated where heat and stagnation coexist, particularly in acute conditions involving trauma, inflammation, or infection.

Primary Herbal Actions

• Vulnerary: promotes wound healing and tissue repair
• Styptic: helps stop bleeding, internally and externally
• Anti-inflammatory: reduces heat and swelling
• Diaphoretic: promotes sweating during fevers
• Antimicrobial: supports resistance to infection
• Carminative: eases digestive cramping and gas
• Circulatory stimulant: improves peripheral circulation  

Preparation Methods

Fresh Yarrow Poultice

Fresh leaves or flowers are crushed and applied directly to minor cuts, scrapes, or nosebleeds to stop bleeding. This traditional use remains one of yarrow’s most valued applications.

Yarrow Tea

Yarrow tea is prepared by steeping dried aerial parts in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Tea is traditionally used for fever management, colds, and digestive support. It is typically taken short term.

Yarrow Tincture

Yarrow tincture is prepared using fresh or dried plant material and alcohol. It is used internally for fever, digestion, and menstrual support and externally for wound care.

Yarrow Infused Oil and Salve

Infused oil made from dried yarrow is used as the base for healing salves and massage oils. Preparations are commonly applied to bruises, sore muscles, minor wounds, and inflamed skin.

Safety and Contraindications

Yarrow is generally safe when used appropriately, but specific cautions apply.

• Pregnancy: avoid internal use due to emmenagogue effects
• Breastfeeding: use caution with internal preparations
• Allergies: individuals sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family may react
• Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant use: consult a health care provider

Side effects are rare but may include skin irritation or photosensitivity in sensitive individuals.

Yarrow is appropriate for minor first aid but does not replace medical care for serious wounds or health conditions.

Wild Clover Farm Notes

At Wild Clover Farm, yarrow grows both wild in meadow areas and cultivated in garden beds. It is harvested two to three times per season and dried in bundles for long-term storage.

Fresh yarrow is kept readily available during the growing season for immediate first-aid use, while dried yarrow remains a staple in the farm’s herbal first-aid supplies year-round.

Yarrow’s resilience, usefulness, and deep historical roots make it an essential ally in both the garden and the medicine chest.

Oklahoma/Zone 7 Growing Notes

• Perfectly adapted to Oklahoma - heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant, winters reliably
• Laughs at summer heat and keeps blooming June-Sept even at 100°F+
• Can spread aggressively in fertile, moist soil; divide every 2-3 years to control
• Blooms continuously all summer unlike many heat-stressed herbs
• White-flowered wild yarrow grows throughout Oklahoma fields and roadsides - harvest respectfully from clean areas or choose colorful cultivars (pink, red, yellow) for garden interest

Foraging:

• Common in meadows, lawns, open fields, and roadsides
• Harvest aerial parts just before or during early flowering
• Identify by finely divided, feathery leaves and strong aromatic scent
• Avoid confusion with non-aromatic members of the carrot family
• Harvest lightly from each patch to ensure regrowth

Common Questions

Can yarrow be used on open wounds?
Yes. Yarrow is a classic first-aid herb for bleeding and minor wounds.

Is yarrow safe internally?
Yes, in typical doses. Avoid long-term high-dose use during pregnancy.

References and Further Reading

• Wood, Matthew. The Earthwise Herbal
• Hoffmann, David. Medical Herbalism
• Moore, Michael. Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West

Disclaimer

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Always consult a qualified health care provider before using herbal products, especially during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or when taking medications.