A star cluster inflorescence, feather leaves, a most delicate weedy wildness, tough but tender, exploring rhizomes, pungent, ancient scent of the earth. Yarrow.
Yarrow is a wild flower in the Robinwood meadow. Wild, and so very stubborn. Every tiny little piece of root has life enough to sprout and survive. Achillia Millefolium is a warrior, as its Latin name suggests. Yarrow is a natural attractor of beneficial insects in the garden. It protects neighbouring plants by confusing and repelling harmful pests and diseases with its pungent, anti-microbial aroma.
Yarrow, will you marry me
Take me in your feathery green leaves
in the precious details of your delicacy,
the time travelling scent,
all the way back to childhood
back to the earthy summer days
of bellies down in the grass,
the lushness,
the meadow of little wonders,
the light tickles,
wild flower crowns,
the medicine, the beauty, the pureness,
of that perfect endless wild summer love.
Medicinally, yarrow has many uses. It is an astringent herb, and it is well known to stop bleeding. It can either be applied externally as a poultice or in a salve, or taken internally for such things as varicose veins, elevated diastolic blood pressure, heavy menstruation or bleeding associated with childbirth, or female reproductive disorders. A sitz bath with yarrow is a wonderful choice when dealing with gynocoligical issues, or hemorrhoids or other pelvic vascular disorders. It is also anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial, which makes it a great choice to add to a tea to drink when you are sick with a cold or flu. It helps break a sweat too, so in the cases of fever, it is perhaps the best herb for the job.
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