| One of yarrow's common names
is Soldier's Woundwort, "wort" meaning "herb". Indeed, yarrow with it's
hemostatic, pain relieving and antiseptic properties, has been known across
the ages as an excellent wound-healer. Yarrow can be used internally as tincture
or tea, and externally as a fresh or dried poultice, to stop bleeding.
There are several stories behind
yarrow's generic name, Achillea. This is one story: When Achilles
was born, his mother knew he would be a warrior and go into battle. To protect
him, she dipped him in a tea of yarrow, the herb of protection, holding him
by the heel as she did so. Later in life, Achilles was wounded in the heel,
the only part of his body that had not been bathed in the yarrow tea. "Achilles
heel" thus refers to one's point of vulnerability. The species name, millefolium,
means "thousand leafed" and refers to the finely divided, feathery leaves
of yarrow. |
