The Battlefield Herb
Few plants possess a history as martial and bloody as Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Known by ancient names like "Staunchweed," "Soldier's Woundwort," and "Herba Militaris," this humble white flower has frequented more battlefields than any general in history.
The Legend of Achilles
Its botanical name, Achillea, refers to the Greek hero Achilles. Legend says that the centaur Chiron taught Achilles to use yarrow to staunch the bleeding wounds of his soldiers during the Trojan War. For thousands of years, carrying dried yarrow was standard procedure for any army.
The Master of Blood
Yarrow is a complex herb—it is amphoteric, meaning it can normalize contradictory conditions. It can stop bleeding (externally) yet move stagnant blood (internally).
- Styptic: Crushed fresh leaves applied to a cut will stop bleeding almost instantly.
- Diaphoretic: Drank as a hot tea, it opens the pores and induces a sweat, breaking fevers naturally.
Divination & The I Ching
Yarrow is not only for the body. In ancient China, the dried stalks of yarrow were used to cast the I Ching (Book of Changes). It was believed that the plant possessed a spiritual clarity that allowed it to connect with cosmic patterns. It remains a herb of boundaries—protecting the physical body from blood loss and the spiritual body from energetic intrusion.