Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

The name Achillea comes from the tale of Achilles using this plant to heal many of his warriers, as it staunched blood flow.  It was also used in the US Civil War; and was known as soldiers’ woundwort.  It has a long tradition of use both by Native Americans on this continent, and by European healers.  Few species are native to both sides of the Atlantic.

 

Family:  Asteraceae
Life cycle:  Herbaceous perennial (Zones 3-9)
Native:  North America/Europe.  Common in overgrazed pastures.
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Sun: Best in full sun.  Will tolerate partial shade.
Soil: Well drained soil
Water: Low to moderate
Flowers: White flowers begin to appear in mid to late summer.
Propagation: Stratify seeds for a month before sowing them. Sow indoors and then transplant outside mid to late spring, or sow directly outdoors in early spring. Germination is about 70 percent and occurs in about 1 to 2 weeks. Another easy way to propagate yarrow is root divisions; in spring or fall. Space 12 inches, yarrow will spread as the clumps enlarge. 
Pests: Susceptible to diseases if grown in wet soil.  Looses condition in later summer after flowering. 
Harvesting: Harvest aerial parts in mid to late summer while plant is in early or full flower.
Parts used: Flowering aerial parts, fresh or dried.
Used as: Infusion (tea), tincture, tincture, syrup, compress, poultice, elixir, lozenge, ointment, salve, cream, balm, foot soak, bath herb, infused oil, honey, liniment.
Medicinal Benefits:  Approved for use in Europe for loss of appetite, upset stomach, liver and gallbladder complaints.  Folk use for healing wounds, hemorrhoids, menstrual complaints, and in preparations for varicose veins.
Market Potential: Moderate.  Price range $3.40-24.65/DW lb, retail bulk dried herb (see Appendix B.).

 

KSU Field Trial Data - 2000-2002. 

YARROW

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st Year

2nd Year

3rd Year

Average

Comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location/Years

3

2

0

 

No 3rd yr plants available yet. 

Survival (%)

85.3

78.0

*

81.7

 

Vigor (rating)

4.4

4.8

*

4.6

 

Height (cm)

56.7

77.5

*

67.1

2nd year plants were noticeably larger (taller, and bigger clumps)

DW Herb (g/plant)

83.5

130.2

*

 

 

DW Root (g/plant)

27.4

74.3

*

 

 

Maturity (rating)

4.5

5.7

*

5.1

Flowering was earlier in 2nd yr plants.

Insect (rating)

0.6

0.3

*

0.4

 

Disease (rating)

0.5

0.3

*

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Est. planting density (plants/acre at 12” spacing)

43,560

43,560

 

 

 

Plant density x survival (# plants)

37,157

33,977

 

 

 

kg/acre DW(g/plant x number of plants)

3103

4424

 

 

 

Est. Marketable Yld

( lb/acre DW tops)

6834

9744

 

 

 

Yld x ˝ of “low” price

$ 11,618

$ 16,565

 

 

 

Yld x ˝ of “high” price

$ 84,229

$ 120,095

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of field trial data:  Yarrow grew well at all the locations planted, and seems to be well adapted to Kansas heat, wind, and drought.  Disease and insect pressure were low, up until well after flowering, at which time quality goes down quickly, and insect feeding and some plant decomposition are noted.  The vigor ratings were high at all locations, indicating that this is a relatively easy plant to grow, and is well adapted to Kansas.  The harvested yield on a per acre basis is fairly large, and has the potential to be partially or fully mechanized.  Drying this much material, and maintaining quality would be challenges to large-scale production.  Yarrow is a generally useful herb, but is not used nationally in large quantities.  Domestic named varieties of yarrow, often found in floral colors of yellow, orange, and red, are not found in the medicinal herb market, but are suitable for home use.