Biological Name:
Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
Natural Habitat:
Yarrow is a plant native to North America, Europe, and Asia. It can be found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, meadows, and forests.
Description:
Yarrow is a perennial herb that is native to Europe and Asia. It has small white or pink flowers and fern-like leaves. It is often found in dry open areas and is used in traditional medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is yarrow used for?
A: Yarrow is an herb. The above ground parts are used to make medicine. Yarrow is used for fever, common cold, hay fever, absence of menstruation, dysentery, diarrhea, loss of appetite, gastrointestinal (GI) tract discomfort, and to induce sweating. Some people chew the fresh leaves to relieve toothache.
Source
Q: Who should not drink yarrow tea?
A: Precautions and potential concerns Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not ingest yarrow, as it can trigger miscarriages and affect the menstrual cycle ( 29 , 30 ). Furthermore, people with bleeding disorders or who take blood thinners should avoid yarrow because it may increase the risk of bleeding ( 31 ).
Source
Q: Is yarrow plant toxic to humans?
A: Yarrow is not poisonous, either to humans or pets like cats and dogs. Guinea pigs and rabbits quite enjoy eating yarrow in dried form as hay.
Source
Q: Does yarrow have side effects?
A: Yarrow is generally considered safe to use medicinally, but possible side effects may include: Skin irritation when used topically. Sesquiterpenes in yarrow may cause contact dermatitis or skin rash.
Source
Q: How often should you drink yarrow tea?
A: Traditional Use: 2-3ml taken 2-3 times per day, or as directed by a Herbal Practitioner. Use 1-2 teaspoons per cup of boiling water and steep for 5 -10 minutes depending on taste. Yarrow essential oil can be used in the bath, or vaporized in an oil burner.
Source
Q: Is yarrow good for anxiety?
A: Eases Stress The goodness of potent flavonoids and alkaloids in the yarrow plant may relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Source
Q: Is yarrow toxic to dogs?
A: Yarrow is toxic for dogs to ingest. Many times a dog will not stop eating a plant just because it tastes bad. The symptoms of Yarrow poisoning in a dog include vomiting, diarrhea, scratching or rash, and increased urination.
Source
Q: Is yarrow an invasive plant?
A: Common yarrow is a weedy species and can become invasive. Proper care should be used to control the spread of the plant from its desired growing location.
Source
Q: Will yarrow take over a lawn?
A: Yarrow also grows quickly and may even be considered a weed to those who don’t want the plant to take over their yards.
Source
Q: What animal eats yarrow?
A: Forage: Western yarrow is a food source for bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, and deer. Sage-grouse, especially chicks, and other upland birds rely heavily on the foliage of western yarrow as a food source. Sage-grouse chicks also benefit from eating the insects associated with yarrow.
Source
Q: Does yarrow come back every year?
A: Yarrow is a herbaceous perennial, and it will come back every year. It also reseeds easily, so if you grow a patch, it should become well established in the area where it is planted.
Source
Q: Can yarrow be invasive?
A: Common yarrow is a weedy species and can become invasive. Proper care should be used to control the spread of the plant from its desired growing location.
Source
Q: Does yarrow spread easily?
A: Common yarrow spreads by self-sowing and underground stems. Self-sowing is easy to control—simply snip spent blooms. It’s important to remove spent flowers in yarrow varieties and hybrids to prevent plants from reverting to the parent form. (This happens because this group of plants readily cross breeds.)
Source
Q: What month do you plant yarrow?
A: For direct sowing outdoors, plant yarrow seeds in late fall in mild winter regions or in early spring (as soon as the soil can be worked) in cold winter zones. Tackle indoor starting about eight to ten weeks before you intend to tuck seedlings into the garden. Yarrow seeds benefit from a cold period prior to planting.
Source
Q: Does yarrow keep bugs away?
A: Yarrow is one of our favorite insect repellents. Its natural oils are known to repel mosquitos and other, flying insects. In fact, tinctures made from yarrow are supposed to be stronger than DEET and dotting some plants in amongst your other flowers is a sure-fire way to drop the insect population overnight.
Source
Q: What can you not plant near yarrow?
A: Aster.Bee balm.Purple coneflower.Butterfly weed.Lamb’s ear.Sedum.
Source
Q: What does yarrow look like in winter?
A: In winter, yarrow looks quite different. The stalk and flowers dry out, turning a dark brown color. Small pockets of seeds are left where the flowers used to be. Often you’ll still see the green, feathery leaves along the base of the plant, ready to grow again come spring.
Source
Q: Where does yarrow grow best?
A: Plant in an area that receives full sun to encourage compact growth and many flowers. In partial sun or shade, yarrow tends to grow leggy. Yarrow performs best in well-drained soil. It thrives in hot, dry conditions; it will not tolerate soil that’s constantly wet.
Source
Q: Will yarrow choke out weeds?
A: Some yarrows spread quite aggressively by underground rhizomes. These rhizomes can grow densely and create heavy mats of foliage and roots, which is helpful for weed suppression, but it can also choke out other plants you’re trying to grow in your garden.
Source
Q: What bugs does yarrow attract?
A: Ladybugs, hoverflies, damsel bugs, green lacewings, predatory wasps, and pirate bugs all appreciate Yarrow nectar. For beneficial predatory insects, yarrow provides a wealth of food by attracting cucumber beetles, aphids, and flea beetles.
Source
Q: Why is yarrow a problem?
A: However, yarrow becomes a problem when a paddock is cultivated and a crop sown. The rhizome system allows the yarrow to survive cultivation, so the re-establishing plants cause major competition problems with crop plants. Likewise, yarrow is commonly found in turf.
Source
