Common Yarrow

Yarrow is part of the daisy family, the same family that dandelions, chrysanthemums and chamomile belong to.

Yarrow plants are woolly and soft

Yarrow plants have clusters of small flowers at the top of stems; flowers are usually white but can be pink as well!

Yarrow flowers smell pleasant and herby

Yarrow leaves are soft, feathery and fern-like

Yarrow's scientific name is Achillea after the Greek Warrior Achilles. Legend has it that Achilles used the plant to stop bleeding of wounded soldiers during battles

Yarrow is a drought-tolerant plant, meaning that it can grow even in dry seasons. It is widely distributed and common in Alberta – you can find it in meadows, forests, open areas, and even cities! It grows from the prairies, to boreal forests to mountainous areas in southern Alberta

Yarrow is mostly a food source for insects; animals use it to line nests to reduce parasite and bacteria of young

Yarrow has anti-bacterial and insecticidal qualities too! European Starlings, a type of bird, use yarrow in their nests. This helps reduce parasites, bacteria and boosts the baby birds' immune systems.

Yarrow has been used as medicine worldwide, for many years. For example, one 50,000 year old Neanderthal had evidence of ingesting yarrow and chamomile, which provided little food value but would have provided medicinal aid.

Indigenous, First Nations, Métis have used yarrow in medicinal teas, as pastes, or even fresh! They use the flowers and leaves for ulcers, stomach ailments, infections, fevers / colds, headaches, sores, cleansing (yarrow smoke), flavour (tobacco), control bleeding (nose, body), burns or skin ailments (rash), insect bites and more.

Yarrow is becoming popular with some chefs, too! It has also been used to flavour beer due to its bitter taste.