August 2026’s Herb of the Month: Yarrow

Though yarrow’s Latin name, Achillea millefolium, provides a glimpse into its many uses (“Achillea” like Achilles, the mythical Greek soldier, who used yarrow to provide aid to soldiers’ wounds), its common name of “yarrow” is thought to have been derived from the Celtic word “garw,” which means “rough.” Yarrow is both rough in texture and able to withstand rather inhospitable conditions. You can see yarrow growing intentionally in many gardens, and you can also see it growing on the side of the highway or in cracks on the sidewalk.  

Common name: Yarrow, Soldier’s Woundwort, Carpenter’s Weed

Latin name: Achillea millefolium

Part Used: all aerial parts; the flowering tops have the highest concentration of aromatic oils, the leaves contain medicinal tannins, and the root can be used in some cases for local pain. The most common example is a toothache.

Properties: anodyne (a medicinal plant used to soothe or relieve physical pain), anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, aromatic (contains beneficial essential oils), astringent (causes tissues to tighten, dry up extra fluids, stop minor bleeding, and tone loose skin or mucous membranes), diaphoretic (stimulates perspiration to help manage fevers), stimulant (metabolic, circulatory, and organ stimulant), tonic (focuses on long-term general health and preventing illness before it starts)

Taste: Bitter, pungent/aromatic

Energetics: warming and drying

History

So many of the herbs we’ve talked about in this series have had a medicinal history dating back to antiquity. However, I think this herb may have one of the oldest and longest histories of use in this series. Fossilized yarrow pollen has been found in burial caves that date back to about 60,000 years ago. While we can’t know the significance this plant played that far back, we know that throughout the historical record, herbalists employed yarrow for its vulnerary characteristics – this means that it helps with wound healing. 

Ancient Greeks

Speaking to that vulnerary capacity, according to Greek mythology, Achilles, the soldier and hero of the Trojan War, would use yarrow leaves to help stop the bleeding from battle wounds. We actually get yarrow’s genus name, Achillea, from this concept. It was even known as Herba Militaris at one point, or “military herb,” for its aid to soldiers’ health as an antibacterial and coagulant. 

Indigenous Americans

The Cherokee use yarrow for both medicinal and ritual purposes. Medicinally, they use yarrow for treating digestive issues, fevers, and headaches. In ceremonies, they would also use yarrow at times as part of purification rituals.

The Iroquois use yarrow as a medicinal herb to treat fevers in babies. They also use it to help with convulsions, worms, and cases of diarrhea.  

Medieval Europe

Medieval herbalists would recommend bathing your head in yarrow tea to help slow hair shedding or balding. Specifically, Culpepper, a medieval herbalist, would brew a strong yarrow tea to help cure hemorrhoids. He wrote that the “leaves cure wounds, and is good for inflammations, ulcers, fistulas, and all such runnings as abound with moisture.”

Ancient Chinese

Yarrow is said to grow around the gravesite of Confucius. Further, yarrow straws are used in divination practices. According to an old Chinese proverb, yarrow has the ability to brighten the eyes with intelligence, balance yin and yang, and facilitate the meeting of heaven and earth. 

Benefits

Fevers/Colds/Influenza

Yarrow can help reduce inflammation in the upper respiratory tract and lungs.  And due to its strong aromatic compounds, herbalists consider yarrow an aromatic decongestant. That means it can be helpful for upper sinus congestion, such as a stuffy nose, and for excess mucus production. For coughs, yarrow can help open airways and relax bronchial tissues. Additionally, yarrow can break a fever by employing its diaphoretic properties. This causes the body to sweat and bring heat to the extremities, essentially moving the fever up and out. 

Digestive Aid

Yarrow has a long history as a digestive aid. It stimulates appetite and can assist in the digestion of fats. Additionally, it can be used for post-meal discomfort. It soothes stomach cramps, excess flatulence, and gastritis.  As a bitter tonic, yarrow helps increase saliva and stomach acid production – the first two steps in proper digestion. It’s actually one of the bitter herbs used to make Vermouth (a pre-dinner aperitif). 

Wound Healing

As we’ve seen, yarrow has been traditionally used for wound healing throughout history. This is likely due to its high concentration of tannins. Tannins, as in tea or red wine, have astringent properties on both the exterior and interior surfaces of the body, meaning they help heal wounds at multiple levels. Yarrow contains volatile oils such as cineole, which have antiseptic properties, and azulene, which reduces inflammation and stimulates tissue repair. 

Emotional Aspects of Yarrow

As we mentioned before, yarrow has a history of being used to balance yin and yang and support heaven meeting earth. This paints a picture of an herb that sustains and produces harmony. Much like it produces harmony medicinally (by healing wounds), it also helps produce harmony within the self. Energy practitioners use yarrow as an ally during times of transition, when energy fluctuates between extreme highs and lows. Yarrow helps balance these extremes. Yarrow flower essences provide spiritual protection, working specifically to balance and support those who are easily influenced by others. It’s an excellent ally for those who need extra help creating and sustaining emotional and physical boundaries. 

Holy moley, we can’t believe it’s already been 2 years since we started this Herb walk! If you’d like to take a trip back down the path and check out the other herbs we have featured, click HERE!