The word “astringent” is not one we commonly use. Astringing herbs draw proteins together, meaning that they bind tissues and hold back fluids. If you’ve ever had a very dry, red wine, then you’ve felt the effects of astringency. The sudden dryness of your mouth is a perfect example of the action of astringents. In …
If you live in a climate where Achillea millefolium grows, then you’re probably beginning to see her delicate blooms everywhere you look! Meet the Yarrow Fairy: Among the harebells and the grass, The grass all feathery with seed, I dream, and see the people pass: They pay me little heed. And yet the children …
We’ve been talking a lot about harvesting and using yarrow lately, so today, let’s make a Yarrow Margarita! This recipe requires a little bit of planning ahead. You’ll be making a simple syrup with yarrow flowers, and if you’re going the homemade route, your bitters will need about 3 weeks to infuse. The bitterness of …
Being a styptic is likely yarrow’s best-known use, and for good reason — it’s highly effective at stopping and controlling excessive bleeding. Simply take a little fresh plant, chew it up and apply directly to the wound. It encourages blood clotting, slowing and eventually stopping the bleed. If all you have is powdered yarrow and …
If you’re interested in finding and harvesting yarrow, here are a few guidelines to keep in mind. Yarrow, aka Achillea millefolium, can grow up to 3-feet high, but most of mine are closer to 18″ to 2′. The leaves are the first thing you’ll notice in the spring. They grow very close to the ground …
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is one of my favorite herbs. (Yes, I know we say that about all of them, lol, but yarrow is pretty special.) Yarrow is such a fun herb to work with. She is a blood balancer meaning she can both stop bleeding as well as bring bleeding on (used in delayed periods). …
Over the last several posts, I’ve shared some common herbs you can wildcraft/forage in the spring. I’m going to wrap up the series by sharing a couple of plants you can grab for quick snack or seasoning! Yarrow, Achillea millefolium Yarrow is an amazing plant (if you’re enrolled in the Annual Herb-A-Month course you got …
Dandelion was one of the first “weeds” I learned to forage/wildcraft. Maybe it was yours as well. The day I discovered that dandelion wasn’t just a weed, and had been deliberately planted by early American settlers as a spring tonic, was exciting, to say the least. Suddenly a seemingly annoying weed became a health ally …
Achillea – representing a couple of different folklore stories that have been passed down: Achilles used it to treat his soldiers in the battlefield Achilles mother dipped him in protective water – a yarrow infusion – but she held his heel meaning that his entire body was safe from harm, except his heel. Mille = …
Autumn is *just* around the corner, and the fall weather provides such a great excuse to make more soups. Not that you NEED an excuse really (bone-broth based soups are a staple in our household year ‘round!) but there’s just something about a cool, crisp evening that practically begs for hearty, comforting soups that really …
