Scientific name: Achillea millefolium
Higher classification: Yarrows
Rank: Species
Family: Asteraceae
Order: Asterales
Common Name: yarrow , Milfoil
Parts used: Flowers, root.
What is Achillea millefolium?
Achillea millefolium, also known as gordaldo, nosebleed plant, hold man’s pepper, devil’s nettle, or more commonly, yarrow, is a flowering plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. This plant is seen all across the United States in meadows and prairies and has become a popular presence in gardens. Through hybridization processes, this once plain wildflower now comes in vibrant colors, producing yellow, orange, pink, and purple flowers during the blooming season.
While some may associate the yarrow plant with weeds, this herb actually has many benefits to gardeners from nutrient hoarding to medicinal uses. A sturdy plant that is easy to grow and reseeds quickly, yarrow is something that can be seamlessly incorporated into any garden.
What does Achillea millefolium taste like?
You can describe the taste of yarrow as faintly sweet but bitter. The astringent flavor of this plant makes it a perfect herb for garnishing. It has a lovely aroma that will remind you of licorice. This aroma lingers even after the plant gets dried and stored. This scent excites our olfactory senses so that the flavor gets felt profoundly.
The taste of yarrow has an aromatic tinge to it. You can understand that this makes yarrow a good flavoring agent. The flavor of yarrow reaches its peak during spring and summer. You can enjoy this unique flavor from the leaves at their best when it bears flowers.
Be mindful about taking yarrow only in small amounts as it has a strong taste. If you heat this herb, the bitterness will come out even more. As the flavor cannot stand high heat, it gets used fresh in the dishes. The flower also tastes similar and can be eaten safely.
What are the culinary uses for Achillea millefolium?
Yarrow has a strong licorice-like scent and a mildly sweet flavor that’s similar to tarragon. This entire plant is edible, but its leaves and flowers are especially popular to use in recipes. They can be dried and used as a spice. But, fresh flowers and leaves are also great for salads, soups, and stews. Yarrow complements vegetables and fruits well. Add yarrow in your vinaigrette to make a nice salad dressing. You can also add it to sorbets, fruit salads, and even yogurt topped with fresh fruits.
Yarrow is a soft herb which means that high heat will destroy its flavor. For a nice and strong flavor, only add this herb and the end of the cooking process. Also, you might want to use it sparingly so its strong taste and scent don’t overpower your dish.
What are the Health benefits of Achillea millefolium?
Studies have shown that yarrow is a very rich source of nutrients. It contains vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, niacin, and antioxidants. Ancient sources reported that people mainly used this herb to make salves and balms to heal wounds, stop bleeding, fight infections, reduce swelling and bruising, heal scars, and treat skin problems.
Yarrow tea is also regularly consumed for various health reasons. This herbal tea is very effective in healing flu, cold, sinus problems, chest congestion, cough, fever, upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, and other digestive issues. The robust fragrant of this tea also has a soothing and calming effect, making it great for relieving stress and anxiety. Lastly, yarrow tea is good for maintaining a regular menstruation cycle.