Achillea Millefolium

Noble Yarrow, to use its English name, has long been known for its healing properties. According to Homer, it was Chiron, a Centaur who taught Achilles about the power in the leaves of the plant which he then used, at Troy, to staunch his warriors wounds. Thus it was that the plant now bears his name.


Long recognised in the East, particularly in India, it is widely used in traditional Ayurvedic medicines. In sanskrit it is known as Biranjasipha. In China is hung above thresholds to avert illness or unfriendly spirits and its dried stalks are used for divination in the I Ching.

Achillea goes by many names. Many of them beautifully poetic such as Arrowroot, Field Hops, Bad Man’s Plaything, Seven Year’s Love and my favourite, Old Mans Mustard or Pepper.

It is known an Allheal plant.

The purpose of storytelling is also to heal.

Most people seem to regard it as a weed which it certainly is not. So if you see some, talk to it, caress it and take some home for tea.