Though the yarrow that grows wild is often cream or white, the plant does come in various shades of pink, purple and yellow.
Grown in the garden, it is tough and hardy. The long-lasting and attractive blooms are useful for filling in bouquets, as one would use ferns, goldenrod or Queen Anne's lace.
A valued home remedy plant, its nicknames suggest medicinal properties. Staunchweed, Bloodwort, Soldier's woundwart and Nose Bleed all refer to its longstanding use to stop bleeding.
According to Natural Healing, Achilles applied to to alleviate the bleeding wounds of his men: hence its Latin name, Achillea millefolium, or thousand-leaved Achilles. We do not know whether he applied the plant directly, or made a poultice. As war was his business, perhaps he had a salve made up ready before battle.
Commonn Yarrow is also valued as a cold and fever remedy. In this case, the flowers are made into a tea to be drunk several times a day. The plant also has been used against inflammations of various kinds.
Yarrow is also the name of a tiny town in the Fraser Valley, likely named after the plant.
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