From skin problems to bloodflow to relaxing after a long day, a hot cup of yarrow blossom tea will do the trick.
Navajo/Dine' words: Haaze'i'tse'i' (chipmunk tail) or Azee'iiltse'i' (the plant which is dried and used for medicine)
English word: Western mountain yarrow
Spanish word: Plumajillo
Gaelic Word: Athair thalmhuinn (the ground father)
Scientific word: Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis
Yarrow is a medicinal plant that grows across the world, and has been used by almost all cultures in some way to help with the process of healing skin and promoting bloodflow.
Western yarrow grows across the western United States, and here in the Northern Arizona Haaze'i'tse'i' has been traditionally by different Navajo/Dine' peoples to heal cuts and as an overall "life medicine.”
This indigenous traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) has also been noted by scientists.
A review on phytochemistry and medicinal properties of the genus Achillea lists some of the biologically active compounds at work in yarrow:
“Various [medicinal] effects of these plants may be due to the presence of a broad range of secondary active metabolites such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, terpenoids (monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes) and sterols…”
At Superyard Farms, we are lucky to have a dedicated plot in our network with dry creek bed where we dry farm native plants. The yarrow here begins to bloom in June. We harvest leaves and flowers and bind them with food grade cotton twine for tea bundles. We throw the whole bundle in to a pot of tea, and therefore, don't need to strain. However, if you want to use a smaller amount of yarrow, follow method 2 below.
Method 1:
Bring water to a boil in a tea kettle or pot with at least 1.5 quarts of water.
Turn off heat, throw your entire yarrow bundle in the hot water.
Steep for 2 – 5 minutes.*
(The longer you steep, the more bitter.)
Remove yarrow bundle from water, and let dry to use again for 2nd, 3rd, 4th batch.
Drink while its still hot!
*If you are using as a face or hair wash instead of drinking, steep for 5+ minutes.
Method 2:
Bring water to a boil in a tea kettle, pot, or individual cup.
Cut off a tablespoon of flowers + leaves.
(Using flowers only makes a creamier, less bitter tea.)
Steep for 2 – 5 minutes.
Strain & drink!
Note: While there's no conclusive information on it, because of the sterols, drinking yarrow tea is generally not recommended for women who are pregnant or tryin’ to be.
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