Hello again for the fourth time this week (can you tell I am on holidays???).
Today I am bringing you another herbal profile - this is another plant that I have growing in my garden, and I am currently drying - it is YARROW.
BOTANIC NAME ~ Achillea millefolium
AKA ~ Herbal Militaris, The Soldier's herb, Seven year's love, sanguinary, thousand seal, woundwort, stench weed, ladies mantle, milfoil, field hops and many, many more..
GENDER ~ Female (cold).
ELEMENT ~ Water.
PLANET ~ Mars & Venus.
DEITY ~ Achilles, Venus, Quan-Yin.
CRYSTAL ~ Bloodstone.
NOTED ~ For its healing properties both internally and externally. It is a herb of peace and friendship.
FOLKLORE ~ It was used on battlefields during times of war and conflict to stop wounds from bleeding out. The Druids used yarrow stems to divine the weather for each coming season, and according to the ancient writings, they were more accurate than those of our satellite pictures today. Used by Chiron the Centaur to cure the heel wound of Achilles
USES ~ Internally it has a calming affect and can also increase perspiration. Yarrow tea can be taken to relieve all bodily weaknesses caused by infectious diseases like colds and flu, or any other prolonged debilitating illness, it is often mixed with other herbs to speed up its work. Externally it is an antiseptic and speeds up wound healing. Can be used in oils and salves for a healing balm. Great for men who cut themselves shaving - just go out to the herb garden, grab some Yarrow leaf and press it firmly against the spot - the bleeding will stop.
WITCHCRAFT USES ~ It is used in workings for Healing, Courage, Friendship, Psychic abilities, Hex breaking, Love, Clairvoyance, Exorcism and keeping negative energies at bay.
Used in Love sachets and marriage charms.
If worn as an amulet it will ward off negativity.
A tea of Yarrow drunk before divination will enhance one's powers of perception.
Can be added to incense blends to keep evil at bay.
FOR GARDENERS ~ it is a great thing to mix Yarrow and Comfrey into your compost bin to speed up the compost activation. All you need is a few leaves chopped up and mixed in to your compost. Yarrow will also enhance the flavour, strength and health of any other herb gown near it (but beware - it spreads like the mint family does, so be careful where you put it in your garden). I have a white variety (as seen in these pictures) growing by my Sage and WOW - that sage (& Yarrow) is potent.. I would love to find the pink or red variety to grow as well - but I haven't seen any for sale yet.
YES - I did another entry into my little book of Mischief,
even has a little secret addition:
Yarrow pressed onto the page from my garden..
Yarrow has to be one of my favourites in the garden, not only is it handy to have, but it looks pretty with its feathery leaves and stems of flowers in the spring and summer.
So there you have it - a run down on the wonderful YARROW.
Join me next time when I will be looking into another herb from my witches garden.
Until then, take care of yourself and those you love,
Blessings to you all.
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