by Teresa M

Created on: July 25, 2008   Last Updated: July 27, 2008

Yarrow (achillea millefolium) is part of the daisy family. A perennial with white and pink flowers, it's most often found in pastureland from May to September. Its downy, dark green leaves and stems grow on short branches.

The Healing Herb

Yarrow's generic name "achillea" refers to the Greek hero Achilles, who was believed to have made poultices from its leaves to treat his warriors after battle in the Trojan War. Because of this yarrow was known as "Militaris" or "the military herb" at that time. According to legend, Achilles learned of its powers from Chiron, the physician Centaur. Chiron treated Achilles for burns inflicted by his mother when she tried to incinerate him, as he was her unlucky seventh child.

Woundwort is another name given to yarrow, as it was traditionally used to heal open wounds and stop flow of blood. However, contradicting truths occur in the history of its usage in stemming or encouraging blood flow. According to Lightfoot's Flora Scotica, written in 1777, "The common people in order to cure the Headache do sometimes thrust a leaf of it up their nostrils, to make their nose bleed."

Celestial Influences and Divination

Yarrow is strongly associated with the planet Venus (a symbol of love) and with the moon (a symbol of maternal love). For this reason, it must be cut on the night of the full moon to be effective for divination of all things related to love. However, this love is of the courting nature, not of a sexual nature.

According to a British folk lore record of 1878, girls in love would recite:
"Green arrow, Green arrow, you wear a white bow;
If my love love me, my nose will bleed now;
If my love don't love me, it ont bleed a drop;
If my love do love me, twill bleed every drop."

Other times, young women picked yarrow from a grave yard on the night of a full moon, then sewed an ounce of it into a small sachet. After placing it under pillow at night, they would recite:
"Thou pretty herb of the Venus tree,
Thy true name is Yarrow.
Who is my true bosom friend to be?
Pray tell me tomorrow."
That night they would dream of their future lover.

Protection

As with so many herbs, yarrow leaves were hung by the cradles of new-born babies to protect them from evil spells. It was also believed to ward off negativity when worn as an amulet. It could even protect a marriage, keeping a couple together for at least seven years, giving it the folk name "seven years' love".

Modern Uses

Keep in mind that in the case of pregnant or nursing women, this potent herb should be avoided completely. Also some people have found it to cause dermatitis or make their skin sensitive to sunlight if taken internally.

Otherwise, keep yarrow blossoms in your pocket and you will attract a new love. Also, deeply inhale the fragrance of its blossoms and you will see situations more clearly.

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