Article

Yarrow

Written by Francis Rosenfeld

Topic: GardeningPublished Recently added
No ratings yet576 viewsSign in to rate

A resilient weed, native to the northern hemisphere, yarrow grows wild in open fields and along the sides of the roads, and had only recently gained the privilege to be cultivated in flower gardens.
Don't judge this humble herb to be ordinary, Achillea millefolium is a well documented medicinal plant, astringent, anti inflammatory and tonic, but above all it has a special gift: it is a hemostatic agent.
Yarrow is such a powerful anticoagulant that it stops the bleeding from small cuts and scrapes almost instantly, a quality which made it the go to herb for dressing wounds back in the day, in almost every culture. This explains some of yarrow's other names too, like sanguinary or soldier's woundwort. Legend has it that Achilles himself had rendered his skin impenetrable by covering it with yarrow tincture, hence the name of the genus.
Its chemical composition shares elements with those of willow bark and chamomile, which is why the plant exhibits similar properties. It is astringent and soothes irritation, useful qualities in skin care, particularly for the oily or acne prone types. As with all home remedies, avoid during pregnancy.
Yarrow oil helps reduce scarring. It contains essential antioxidants, stimulates the growth of new cells and promotes the health of existing ones, and this makes it a fountain of youth of sorts, definitely worthy of a place in both your medicinal garden and your natural beauty arsenal.

Article author

About the Author

Main Areas: Garden Writing; Sustainable Gardening; Homegrown Harvestr
Published Books: “Terra Two”; “Generations”
Career Focus: Author; Consummate Gardener;
Affiliation: All Year Garden; The Weekly Gardener; Francis Rosenfeld's Blog

I started learning about gardening from my grandfather, at the age of four. Despite his forty years' experience as a natural sciences teacher, it wasn't structured instruction, I just followed him around, constantly asking questions, and he built up on the concepts with each answer.

I started blogging in 2010, to share the joy of growing all things green and the beauty of the garden through the seasons. Two garden blogs were born: allyeargarden.com and theweeklygardener.com, a periodical that followed it one year later. I wanted to assemble an informal compendium of the things I learned from my grandfather, wonderful books, educational websites, and my own experience, in the hope that other people might find it useful it in their own gardening practice.

Further reading

Further Reading

4 total

Article

Creating a beautiful and safe pool area is about more than just installing a pool. The material you choose for your pool deck plays a big role in how your outdoor space looks and feels. Many homeowners wonder whether they should go with concrete or pool deck pavers. This is a common question because both options have advantages, and the choice can affect the safety, maintenance, and overall style of your backyard. If you’re planning to deck or pave around the pool, it&r

January 3, 2026

Article

A swimming pool brings comfort, fun, and value to a home or business. Whether it is used for family relaxation or commercial purposes, a pool must stay clean, safe, and fully working at all times. Many people focus only on water cleaning and chemicals, but the real work happens in the pool equipment. Pumps, filters, heaters, and other systems work together every day to keep the water moving and balanced. When any of these systems stop working correctly, the entire pool can su

January 3, 2026

Article

Creating a comfortable and inviting outdoor area can turn your backyard into a personal sanctuary, perfect for relaxation and entertainment throughout the seasons. At LNG Landscapes, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with landscaping in Minnesota. Here's how to transform your backyard into a year-round retreat. Embrace the Seasons with Smart Design Minnesota experiences diverse weather conditions, so designing a backyard retreat requires though

May 20, 2025

Article

Having a pool is a great way to relax, have fun, and get some exercise. However, just like everything else on your property, pools need care and attention to stay in great shape. One important part of pool care is pool resurfacing. Over time, the surface of your pool can become worn, cracked, or discolored. Pool resurfacing helps fix these issues and makes your pool look and feel new again. Choosing the right material for resurfacing your pool can be tricky because there are

May 14, 2025