Yarrow

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Wild Food

By Roger Phillips

Published 1986

  • About

Achillea millefolium Yarrow is a perennial, common on all but the poorest soils throughout the British Isles. It occurs in meadows, pastures, grassy banks, hedgerows and waysides and flowers from June to October. It can be found in different shades of pink to white. The whole plant is used and can be collected from May to November.

The generic name is derived from the Greek warrior Achilles who, during the Trojan War, saved the lives of his warriors by healing their wounds with yarrow. In Sweden yarrow has been used as a substitute for hops in the preparation of beer, to which it was supposed to add an intoxicating effect. Yarrow tea can be brewed as a remedy for severe colds.