Achillea Millefolium Plant Care
Achillea Millefolium Easy Growing Yarrow Herb
Achillea millefolium is popularly known as the Yarrow herb. It is a flowering herb that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It came into Australia as a feed for the livestock raised on farms. Its cultivated varieties are normally seen in gardens all over the world. It is extremely hard spreading and can be invasive if let go, besides its easy to manage and kill off, if it grows rampant and out of control. This plant is the perfect choice for growing in huge gardens. Achilleas have very fine fern like foliage that grows into a dense size clumps. The flower stems jointly emerge and break out in huge clusters of individual tiny flowers, in the hot weather. I have to mention, this is a plant that has very long lasting flowers that is very easy to grow and everyone should have a go at growing it, butterflies love it! The tall flowers can be spied in dozens of colours on different cultivars. It is commonly grown for its medicinal values and it is used as alternative medicine as an antiseptic, vasodilator, astringent, stimulant, digestive and many more.
Description
Achillea millefolium grows erect and is a herbaceous, perennial plant. It will have many stems that grow up to 0.2 to 1 metre in height. The leaves of the plant are evenly distributed from the bottom to the top of the stem. The largest of the leaves will be seen in the middle area of the stem and they are about 5 to 20 cm long. Yarrow herb generally gives out disk and ray flowers. The disk flowers offered range from 15 to 40 and generally, they produce 3 to 8 ray of flowers. The plant will give out a striking display of colour in the heat of summer from November to February in Australia.
Yarrow Plant Care and Maintenance
Achillea millefolium will tolerate any humid weather conditions, it is tolerant of heat, dry winds, drought even rabbit tolerant. Even though the plant is tough, it best grows in well drained soil and can do without regular fertiliser. It is ideal to use organic matter in the soil if it has the tendency to retain water. Start to grow the yarrows from its seeds. It is better to start growing the seeds indoors after the winter. Yarrow seeds need light to germinate and it needs warm and moist soil to germinate and happen quickly. You can also directly sow the yarrow herbs you buy from local nurseries in your garden centres. The best time to plant the small yarrow herbs is spring time.
The following are the ways you should take care of achillea millefolium.
- They need low maintenance and can even tolerate drought. You will need to add supplemental feed only if the soil is very poor to grow the plant.
- To enjoy continuous bloom, dead heading is necessary.
- Divide the plants once in 2 to 3 years.
- A very thin layer of compost and a layer of mulch is ideal during spring time.
Achillea Yarrow Medicinal Uses
Yarrow herb is used to treat colds, kidney disorders, cramps, fevers, skin irritations and haemorrhages. Yarrow herb tea is ideal to drink if you are suffering from severe cold and flu, abdominal cramps, stomach ulcers, trauma, abscesses and amenorrhea. It is very effective in reducing skin inflammation. The yarrow herb can be used to regulate menses, purify the blood and to regulate the flow of bile. It is also used to treat wounds and to stop the blood flow from wounds.
Face Wash Using Yarrow
- In a pan, heat olive oil. Add yarrow flowers and leaves to this warm oil. You should make sure that the oil completely covers the yarrow flowers and leaves.
- Heat the yarrow flowers on mild heat and press the flowers to release its juices in the oil.
- Allow mixture to sit overnight.
- Strain the oil into a pan and then add beeswax slices to it. Heat them on a low gas flame until the wax melts into the oil.
- Add essential oil like lavender or rosemary to the mixture and store in a small container.
The yarrow face wash cream is ready.
