Yarrow - Achillea lanulosa - Sunflower family
Spanish: Plumajillo

Yarrow has an erect flower stalk tipped with massed small white blossoms which arise from the feathery foliage spreading around its base - hence its Spanish name (Plumajillo) meaning little feather.

This plant is full of lore. The genus name, Achillea, comes from Achilles, the famed Greek warrior, who supposedly used yarrow in staunching the flow of blood from the wounds of his men. (No mention of the famous heel.) Ancient herbalists relate that Yarrow was governed by Venus and was one of the witches' herbs brought to weddings to guarantee seven years of love. Zuni Indians have used Yarrow leaves to produce a cooling sensation when applied to the skin, also mixing and grinding the entire plant with water to apply to burns. Spanish Californians steeped Yarrow leaves in water to prepare a healing application for cuts and bruises and to stop the flow of blood. Spanish New Mexicans are recorded as grinding and mixing the dry leaves with plantain, then putting the mixture in a glass of boiling water and drinking to reduce fever. As a note of caution, this mixture taken in large quantities acts as a purge. The dry flowers taken twice daily with a glass of water are said to dissipate a cough, and a poultice can be made from the entire plant for sprains and broken bones.