The word I think of when I think of yarrow is stop. It can be ‘stop’ or ‘STOP!!’ Yarrow is known as a warrior herb. If you think about the name, it makes sense: Achillea for Achilles (Greek legend that was unstoppable, except for his heel) and millefolium (thousand leaves).

Yarrow is a member of the Apiaceae family with parsley and carrots (and poison hemlock!). It grows about 1-3 feet in height and has groups of flowers on the ends of the stems. The leaves are carrot-leaf-like. Yarrow comes in many colors – usually the plain white is used for herbal preparations, but pink yarrow…. well, it’s kinda special in a flower essence way.

For the herb, yarrow is used to strengthen the person that is dizzy, restless, dull minded, and congested. Yarrow helps to tighten up tissues. It works great as a styptic. Given hot as a tea, it is a diaphoretic; given cold, it is a diuretic. Yarrow is great at the start of a cold or fever – it has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties as well. It decreases capillary congestion, so while it helps with bleeding, it can also break up congested/congealed blood. Because of this (and because it can be a uterine stimulant) it is contraindicated in pregnancy.

As a flower essence, it also ‘stops’. Yarrow is for enforcing boundaries – it tells people, “No, you may not just come in just anywhere. There is the door or gate.” Pink yarrow specifically is for protection of boundaries. I have found it helpful with clients that have a hard time saying ‘no’ to things that are not in their best interest.

Taste wise, it’s not fabulous, but not horrible either. It reminds me a bit of thyme, but a little more bitter and resinous.

Great plant for landscaping and herbal use. And it spreads easily, but not like a mint.