Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is also known as Gordaldo, Nosebleed plant, Old Man's Pepper, Sanguinary, Milfoil, Soldier's Woundwort, Thousand-leaf. In Greek it is known as achillea, agriapsithia, hiliofilo, semesanta.



It is often cultivated in gardens as an ornamental plant. Leaves have a characteristic shape and color. Their strong odor is similar to camphor and they taste bitter and sharp. Above-ground parts are used for their therapeutic properties.



Plant is collected during its blossom, from June to September.



Yarrow contains 0.5% volatile oils, flavonoids, tannins and a bitter alkaloid. It is purported to be a sudorific, hypotensive, styptic, diuretic and antiseptic. It helps in colds and influenza. It can be used as one of the best sudorific herbs and as an optimal remedy against fever. It dilates the peripheral blood vessels and lowers the blood tension. It stimulates digestion and helps the blood vessels. It can also be used in infections such as cystitis acting as an antiseptic in the urinary system. Its external uses include wound healing and helping in cases of clots caused by hypertension. It also benefits maintenance of body weight and mental state.



When used against fever, it can be combined with elderberry, mint, boneset, cayenne and ginger. When used to lower blood tension, it is combined with hawthorn, common lime and mistletoe. To prepare an infusion, pour a cup of boiling water in 1-2 teaspoonfuls of dry herb and leave it infuse for 10-15 minutes. Drink three times a day.



*Sakis Kouvatsos, “Haniotika nea”