Common yarrow

Common or ordinary yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is native to Germany. This composite plant naturally grows across Eurasia, North and Central America. Due to its usual introduction, it is now found worldwide, including South America, Australia, and Africa.

You will most often encounter yarrow in meadows. Although it is generally undemanding, it does require at least plenty of sunlight. It is not very picky about soil, as long as it is not too wet. So you can plant this meadow herb almost anywhere in your garden.

Common yarrow is well known in folk medicine for its soothing support of the digestive tract. Those struggling with digestion or suffering from inflammatory digestive diseases and loss of appetite can benefit from yarrow. The above-ground parts of the plant are used in the form of tea or fresh plant juice. By the way, yarrow is also a popular additive for sitz baths. You can buy yarrow online, at pharmacies, and drugstores.

Yarrow is a pretty perennial plant often used in flower bouquets. If you want to buy yarrow, you can also find it at florists. It grows to heights between fifteen and sixty centimeters. Many small feathery leaflets are arranged alternately along a central stem. When crushed, the essential oils release the typical spicy scent. From June, white to slightly pinkish flowers form in flat compound umbels. Yarrow can bloom several times until the first frost of the year.

Its Latin name is very interesting: Achillea is derived from Achilles, the legendary Trojan hero who is said to have used yarrow for wound healing. And millefolium means thousand-leaved – indeed, the numerous delicate leaflets give the impression of being present in thousands.