Yarrow Achillea millefolium:
Parts used: leaf and flower
Properties:
Spiritually:
Protection: repel malevolent forces and bring a sense of safety and security. Divination: Yarrow has been used in divination rituals, particularly in ancient Celtic and Chinese traditions. Strength and Courage: Yarrow is associated with strength, courage, and resilience. Love and Relationships: Linked to love, relationships, and marriage. Promote fidelity, loyalty, and harmony in relationships.
Energetic:
1. Cooling
2. Relaxes and tightens
Actions:
1. Astringent/Vulnerary tightens and tones tissues that are lax.
2. Stimulated digestion as a bitter tonic
3. Circulatory Stimulant: great for venous circulation
4. Hemostatic (stop bleeding)
5. Stimulant/Relaxant Diaphoretics open pores and vasculature and stimulate blood where tension
6. Emmenagogue: promotes blood flow during menses
7. Alternative: Help the body to eliminate
8. Anti-inflammatory
9. Antiseptic: antimicrobial/fungal actions both topically and internally
Taste:
Bitter
Pungent due to aromatic oils
Astringent, maybe even acrid
Organ Affinity:
1. Circulatory system and blood
2. Digestive system
3. Urogenital system
4. Skin and mucous membranes
5. Immunity
Planetary Association: Yarrow is associated with the planet Venus. It’s a distinctly Venusian and feminine plant treating Venus and Mars pathology. It is also associated with Chiron, the wounded healer in the Greek mythology.