02/20/2025
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) in its pure white form. The premiere wayside styptic, most of us have used the plant spontaneously in first aid, from minor boo-boos to spurting blood. Just chew up the flowers and/or leaves and apply. You know, this plant is an example of how breeders can do plants a great disservice. The multicolored versions of the plant are intrinsically less useful in herbal medicine. Unfortunately, the red colorations are dominant and will affect pure stands from a distance. Here I'll show a picture of really good flowers, and a bit more info. Seeds and plants available online at Strictly Medicinal Seeds.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Family: Aster (Asteraceae)
Hardy to zones to 4 to 8
(Official Yarrow; White Flowered Yarrow) Creeping herbaceous perennial flowering white to 2 feet. Native to temperate zones worldwide. Traditional usage (TWM): vulnerary, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and styptic. Plant prefers standard garden soil or poor soil, full sun and requires little water. Sow in flat or direct seed. Germ. in about 8 days in warm soils. Grows vigorously in any kind of soil. You know, a lot of people plant roman chamomile for lawns, but if an even more unusual lawn is desired, yarrow is a great choice! It spreads joyfully, makes a very cushy carpet, dissuades other plants from interloping, and may be mowed back as easily, or more easily, than chamomile. Space plants 18 inches apart.