Yarrow whole flower – Achillea millefolium

A hardy perennial, yarrow produces white to pinkish flowers clustered in dense corymbs. It is known for its light fragrance, tonic properties, and varied internal and external uses. The whole flower, naturally dried, retains its elegance and aromatic richness.

Description

Growing between 30 and 80 cm tall, yarrow grows wild in Europe, Asia, and North America. Its deeply cut leaves evoke the thousand tiny leaflets that give it its name. It blooms from June to September. The flowering tops are harvested by hand and then dried at low temperatures to preserve their fragrance, color, and traditional properties.

Nomenclature

• Common names: Yarrow, soldier's herb, St. John's wort, nosebleed
• Latin name: Achillea millefolium
• Family: Asteraceae (Compositae)
• Part used: Whole flowering tops
• Form: Dried whole flower
• Origin: Europe, temperate Asia, North America
• English name: Yarrow
• Name in German: Schafgarbe
• Name in Spanish: Milenrama
• Name in Italian: Millefoglio
• Name in Arabic: عشبة النجار (ʿUshbat an-Najjār)

Main virtues

Yarrow is traditionally recognized for its tonic, balancing, and aromatic properties. It is used in infusions, floral baths, or incorporated into cosmetic preparations for its soothing and purifying qualities.

Main constituents

Essential oils (camphor, azulene, cineole), flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, tannins, phenolic acids, resins, coumarins.

Use and dosage

• Infusion: 1 to 2 tablespoons per cup of boiling water. Infuse for 8 to 10 minutes, then filter.
• Bath: decoction of 20 g per 1 liter of water, added to bath water or used for fumigation.
• Cosmetic: in concentrated infusion for lotion or floral compress.

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• May be allergenic in people sensitive to Asteraceae.
• Not recommended during pregnancy or in case of anticoagulant treatment.
• Prolonged use not recommended without professional supervision.

History and origin

Its name evokes the hero Achilles, who is said to have used it to heal his wounded soldiers. Present in ancient and medieval pharmacopoeias, it is also associated with ritual uses in Central Europe. Valued for centuries, it continues to be harvested for its aesthetic appeal and natural versatility.

Miscellaneous information

• Storage: dry, away from light and humidity.
• Packaging: kraft bag, airtight box or glass jar.
• Appearance: entire flowering tops, white to cream.
• Odor: herbaceous, floral, slightly camphorous.

Sources and references

• Medicinal Plants of Europe – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• European Medicinal Herbarium
• Ancient texts by Dioscorides and Hildegard of Bingen
• USDA GRIN database – https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov

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