Holly
Ilex aquifolium or I. opaca
Folk Names: Aquifolium, Bats Wings, Christ's Thorn, Holly Tree, Holm Chaste, Hulm, Hulver Bush, Tinne, Black Drink Plant, Mountain Holly, Commom Holly,
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mars or Saturn in Leo
Element: Fire
Powers: Protection, Anti Lightning, luck, Dream Magic
Magical Uses:
An Excellent protective herb, holly guards against lightning, poison and hostile forces. Planted around the house it protects the dwellers from mischievous sorcerers. Thrown at animals it makes them lie down and leave you alone even if you don't hit them with it. Holly water is sprinkled on new-born to protect them. It's also carried as good luck and hung around at yule to promote good luck. It's strong element of protection it banished hostile sports and spells, and wands were made to command evoked entities.
After midnight on a Friday Gather 9 holly leaves ( 9 a very magical number ) Wrap in a white cloth using nine knots to tie the ends, place under your pillow and your dreams will come true. ( putting a whole new meaning to be careful what you wish for)
Other Uses and lore :
The narcotic leaves are used ceremonially by Native Americans, They are brewed for a stimulant emetic called black drink,(I. vomittoria) taken by warriors for purification before war councils. The berries also cause vomiting and have been used as emergency treatment for poisoning. The leaves of several Ilex species yield caffeine drinks used locally as tea. Ilex guayusa is the source of guayusa, an Amazon stimulant tea. paraguariensis gives Yerba Mate, popular in South America, and a tonic, laxative, diuretic, and muscle relaxant that reduced appetite and is said to increase intellectual vigor.
It is recommended for catarrh, and as a tea for asthma, throat and an antipyretic. It's been used for colds headaches, arthritis, rheumatism,diarrhea, and venereal disease. Used as a poultice for all kinds of hurts it keeps down swelling and pain, taken internally is a blood purifier. the leaves were chewed to allay thirst.
To deck the halls with boughs of holly, began with the Roman Saturnalia, a pagan festival beginning on December 17th ( my birthday :) ) and was adopted by the Christians. According to Roman belief, the holly's white flowers would turn water into ice. Planted around the house it deflected lightning and witchcraft. According to medieval legend, the holly first sprang up after Jesus's footsteps with the leaves to symbolize the crown of thorns and the red berries for the blood shed on the cross. You should have a Male and female plant to have a fruit baring plant
Chicory
Cichorium intybus
Folk Names: Succory, Wild Cherry, Wild Succory,Blue Sailors, Coffeweed,
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun or Jupiter in Virgo
Element: Air
Powers: Removing Obstacles, Invisibility, Favors, Frugality, Silence, Secrecy
Magical Uses:
Carried to break down obstet, and is carried for this. It was also said it could make you invisible ( or as we might look at today blending in and not noticed) It is said to have powers over and thing locked or kept from you (obstacles) It is an herb of silence, and secrecy.
It is gathered with a gold knife in silence at noon or midnight. It is also said that it should be on July 23rd The juice was said to help get favors, from important people.
Other uses and Lore:
Chicory is used as a substitute for coffee, and used in Salads. The roots are steamed and eaten much like any vegetable, and rich in iron, calcium and copper. A poultice of Chicory is used for inflammation.
The first known writing about Chicory can be dated as far back as 4000 years before the Christian era, in Egyptian papyrus. It was a magical plant and was known for bringing success, and it could make one invulnerable, and done with a ritual make one invisible. It was claimed by Paracelsus 17th century alchemist that chicory after 7 years chicory turned into a bird
Here in Ohio along the highway you can see these growing along the road. Not as lush as the picture here. When you see a blue flower as your driving, it's more then likely chickory
Folk Names: Succory, Wild Cherry, Wild Succory,Blue Sailors, Coffeweed,
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun or Jupiter in Virgo
Element: Air
Powers: Removing Obstacles, Invisibility, Favors, Frugality, Silence, Secrecy
Magical Uses:
Carried to break down obstet, and is carried for this. It was also said it could make you invisible ( or as we might look at today blending in and not noticed) It is said to have powers over and thing locked or kept from you (obstacles) It is an herb of silence, and secrecy.
It is gathered with a gold knife in silence at noon or midnight. It is also said that it should be on July 23rd The juice was said to help get favors, from important people.
Other uses and Lore:
Chicory is used as a substitute for coffee, and used in Salads. The roots are steamed and eaten much like any vegetable, and rich in iron, calcium and copper. A poultice of Chicory is used for inflammation.
The first known writing about Chicory can be dated as far back as 4000 years before the Christian era, in Egyptian papyrus. It was a magical plant and was known for bringing success, and it could make one invulnerable, and done with a ritual make one invisible. It was claimed by Paracelsus 17th century alchemist that chicory after 7 years chicory turned into a bird
Here in Ohio along the highway you can see these growing along the road. Not as lush as the picture here. When you see a blue flower as your driving, it's more then likely chickory
Horehound
Marrubium vulgare
Folk Names: Bulls Blood, Eye of the Star, Haran, Hoarhound, Llwyd y cwn (Welsh), Marrubium, Maruil, Seed Of Hours, Soldier's Tea, White Horehound, Common Horehound, Marvel.
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mercury or Mercury in Scorpio associated with the fixed star Capella
Element: Air
Deity: Horus
Powers: Protection, Mental Powers, Exorcism, Healing
Ritual Uses: Burn to Horus, the ancient Egyptian God, after which the plant was named.
Magical Uses:
Horehound is used in protection sachets and guards against sorcery and fascination. It's also scattered for exorcisms.
Drink as an infusion and it will clear you mind, and strengthen mental powers.
When mixed with ash leaves and placed in a bowl of water, releases healing vibrations, and should be placed in a sickroom. Horehound brings the energies of Mercury. It brings clarity to the mind and heighten intuition.
Other Uses and Lore
Some 400 years before Christ, the famous Greek physician Hippocrates mentioned it in a work on infertility in women. Pliny the Roman Naturalist held horehound to be an herb of prime importance , listing many uses for it, from a laxative to an antidote for snakebite and other poisonings.
Pietro Mattioli prescribed a horehound salve to increase nursing mothers' milk. In the 19th century horehound was given not only for lung complaints but also for jaundice, dyspepsia, and hysteria.
The dried flower remains floated on oil as candle wicks.
The leaves are used in tonics, liqueurs, and ales, and are made into expectorant and antiseptic cough drops. An infusion relaxes muscles and helps expel mucus, treating bronchitis, croup, and asthma. It destroys intestinal worms and acts as a digestive and liver tonic and laxative. The tea was used internally and externally for eczema and shingles. Its sedative action works in small amounts to control rapid irregular heartbeats. A hot infusion helps to break fevers and treats malaria and quinine is ineffective, It helps heal skin lesions. The Navajo tribe gave mothers a root before and after child birth.
Folk Names: Bulls Blood, Eye of the Star, Haran, Hoarhound, Llwyd y cwn (Welsh), Marrubium, Maruil, Seed Of Hours, Soldier's Tea, White Horehound, Common Horehound, Marvel.
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mercury or Mercury in Scorpio associated with the fixed star Capella
Element: Air
Deity: Horus
Powers: Protection, Mental Powers, Exorcism, Healing
Ritual Uses: Burn to Horus, the ancient Egyptian God, after which the plant was named.
Magical Uses:
Horehound is used in protection sachets and guards against sorcery and fascination. It's also scattered for exorcisms.
Drink as an infusion and it will clear you mind, and strengthen mental powers.
When mixed with ash leaves and placed in a bowl of water, releases healing vibrations, and should be placed in a sickroom. Horehound brings the energies of Mercury. It brings clarity to the mind and heighten intuition.
Other Uses and Lore
Some 400 years before Christ, the famous Greek physician Hippocrates mentioned it in a work on infertility in women. Pliny the Roman Naturalist held horehound to be an herb of prime importance , listing many uses for it, from a laxative to an antidote for snakebite and other poisonings.
Pietro Mattioli prescribed a horehound salve to increase nursing mothers' milk. In the 19th century horehound was given not only for lung complaints but also for jaundice, dyspepsia, and hysteria.
The dried flower remains floated on oil as candle wicks.
The leaves are used in tonics, liqueurs, and ales, and are made into expectorant and antiseptic cough drops. An infusion relaxes muscles and helps expel mucus, treating bronchitis, croup, and asthma. It destroys intestinal worms and acts as a digestive and liver tonic and laxative. The tea was used internally and externally for eczema and shingles. Its sedative action works in small amounts to control rapid irregular heartbeats. A hot infusion helps to break fevers and treats malaria and quinine is ineffective, It helps heal skin lesions. The Navajo tribe gave mothers a root before and after child birth.
Catnip
Catnip
Nepeta cataria
Folk Names: Cat, Catmint, Catnep. Catrup, Cat's Wort, Field Balm. Nepeta Nip, Cats Play,
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus ( In Cancer)
Element: Water
Deities: Bast
Powers: Cat Magic, Love. Beauty, Happiness, Fertility
Magical Uses:
Given to your cat it will bond the two of you. Used in love sachets with Rose petals. Hold Catnip in your hand until it's warm and the person you hold hands with will be your life long friend, for as long as you keep the herb.Catnip hung over doorways it attracts good spirits, and good luck. It's used for happiness and Beauty. It's also used in Fertility Charms and is good for shape-shifting and used in animal Magic. Catnip is also used in Visionary work and clairvoyance. Placed in a pillow it protects the sleeper.
Other uses and Lore
Catnip also intoxicates cats and repels rats and fleas. The tender leaves are used in Salads, or used as tea. Catnip contains .iron, selenium, potassium, manganese and chromium. The leaves and flowers are used to treat colds, and calm upset stomachs, and reduce fever, soothe headaches and scalp irritations. Catnip is part of the mint family.
Catnip was used in fertility charms, ( but not ingested as it can be harmful to the unborn child)
Nepeta cataria
Folk Names: Cat, Catmint, Catnep. Catrup, Cat's Wort, Field Balm. Nepeta Nip, Cats Play,
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus ( In Cancer)
Element: Water
Deities: Bast
Powers: Cat Magic, Love. Beauty, Happiness, Fertility
Magical Uses:
Given to your cat it will bond the two of you. Used in love sachets with Rose petals. Hold Catnip in your hand until it's warm and the person you hold hands with will be your life long friend, for as long as you keep the herb.Catnip hung over doorways it attracts good spirits, and good luck. It's used for happiness and Beauty. It's also used in Fertility Charms and is good for shape-shifting and used in animal Magic. Catnip is also used in Visionary work and clairvoyance. Placed in a pillow it protects the sleeper.
Other uses and Lore
Catnip also intoxicates cats and repels rats and fleas. The tender leaves are used in Salads, or used as tea. Catnip contains .iron, selenium, potassium, manganese and chromium. The leaves and flowers are used to treat colds, and calm upset stomachs, and reduce fever, soothe headaches and scalp irritations. Catnip is part of the mint family.
Catnip was used in fertility charms, ( but not ingested as it can be harmful to the unborn child)
Elder
Sambucus canadensis
Folk Names: alhuren, Battree, Boure Tree, Eldrum, Ellhorn, Frau Holle (german), Hildemoer, (German), Hollunder (German), Hylder, Lady Ellhorn, Old Gal, Old Lady, Pipe Tree, Rob Elder, Sureau (French) , Seet Elder, Tree of Doom, Yakori bengeskro (Romany-Devil's Eye) Bourtree
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus or Mercury in Sagittarius
Element; Water
Deities: Holda, Venus
Powers:Exorcism, Protection, Healing, Prosperity, Sleep
Magical uses:
The elder was used in Burial rites. Is sacred to many Goddess figures, with it's white flowers. Witches or spirits were thought to live with in the elder, this being as the sap is red looking much like blood. Depending on the tradition there are things that must be done to vacate the tree before cutting, giving the spirit inside time to leave, and not to be cut and die with the tree or branch. It was once believed that an elder would only grow where blood had once been shed. It was considered unlucky to bring an elder into your home. Burning an elder log was a way to summon evil spirits. To fall asleep under an elder could produce madness. Planting an elder near your home kept evil at bay, and to place the branches on a grave kept the corpse from being inhabited by evil spirits. If you pin your door shut with elder no elves or workers of evil magic could open it. The leaves were gathered on May eve to be hung on doorways and windows to banish hostile magic .If worn it can ward off attackers. It was said it had the power against evil "Magicians" to release any enchantments against you. The berries when carried warded of all evil. planted in a garden it protects, and wards off lightning.
To bless a person or a thing, scatter the leaves to the four winds in the name of the person or object, then scatter the leaves on the item or person.
Warts were said to cured with the elder as with toothaches. Put elder under your pillow to induce sleep. To prevent rheumatism tie an elder twig into 3 or 4 knots and carry in your pocket. Make flutes of the branches and call forth spirits.
Other uses and lore;
Elder flowers are used in cooking and in wine.(as are the berries) Elderflower is used also for water for eye and skin lotions. They are also used to treat colds, sore throats, hay fever, and arthritis, and act as a mild laxative. The leaves are used to relieve bruises and sprains, and the bark is used for epilepsy, and the roots for lymphatic and kidney ailments. In Chinese medicine the leaves stems and roots are used to treat fractures and muscle spasms.
My mother made wine from this (whoa strong stuff) Not one my favorites that she made.
Sage
Salvia officinalis
Folk Names: Garden Sage, Red Sage, Sawge ( what I want to add here, there are to many different kinds of sage to mention)
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Jupiter in Taurus ( associtated with the fixed star Spica)
Element: Air
Powers: Immortality Longevity, Wisdom, Protection, Wishes, Puritfication, Cleansing
Magical Uses:
Sage is carried to help with wisdom. Properties become more powerful if grown near Rue. It's used in Purification and Cleansing rituals. To guard against the evil eye carry sage in a small horn. It is said that you should not plant sage yourself in your garden have someone else do it, as it can be bad luck. Toads are attracted to sage ( this is so true) To make a wish come true write it on a sage leaf and put under your pillow, sleep on it for 3 nights.
Sagebrush
Artemisia spp.Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Earth
Powers: Purification, Exorcism
Ritual Uses: Sagebrush is used in Native American Ceremonies for Cleansing and Purification, bath in Sagebrush or burn to drive away bad forces, it's also used for healing.
I included both here as you can see the elements and gender ect. are all different. I have a sagebrush right in the middle of my larger herb garden, make sure you leave it plenty of room.
Other uses and Lore
It is used as a spice for fatty meats ( sausage, chicken, it's good in stuffing) It aids in the digestion. Also used in Salads and teas. Sage is an antiseptic nerve and blood tonic. Sage contains the hormone precursors that dlep irregular menstruation and menopause symptoms. Purple Sage is used as a sore throat aid. It is said it is excellent and an aid for gas.
Why should a person die when sage is in his garden? A saying originated in the middle Ages at the famous medical school of Salerno, Italy. It has a reputation as a health giver and it's latin name Salvia, comes form the word meaning "healthy" The ancients wrote that sage mixed with white wine or wormwood tea relieved dysentery and, when applied externally, healed certain wounds. It was once also used for colic and fevers, to expel worms, and to prevent epileptic seizures. John Evelyn wrote ( 17th century diarist) " Tis a plant indeed with so many and wonderful properties, as that the assiduous use of it is said to render men immortal" Romans called it herba sacra "holy herb" and used it in their religious rites.
Well I won't say that is true but many herbalists today use it for excessive sweating, nervous disorders, and to reduce milk flow in a nursing mother, as they ween their child from breast feeding. It's also used externally as a gargle or a lotion for wounds. Oh and people from Nevada would never forgive me if I didn't mention sagebrush is their state flower.
Planet: Venus
Element: Earth
Powers: Purification, Exorcism
Ritual Uses: Sagebrush is used in Native American Ceremonies for Cleansing and Purification, bath in Sagebrush or burn to drive away bad forces, it's also used for healing.
I included both here as you can see the elements and gender ect. are all different. I have a sagebrush right in the middle of my larger herb garden, make sure you leave it plenty of room.
Other uses and Lore
It is used as a spice for fatty meats ( sausage, chicken, it's good in stuffing) It aids in the digestion. Also used in Salads and teas. Sage is an antiseptic nerve and blood tonic. Sage contains the hormone precursors that dlep irregular menstruation and menopause symptoms. Purple Sage is used as a sore throat aid. It is said it is excellent and an aid for gas.
Why should a person die when sage is in his garden? A saying originated in the middle Ages at the famous medical school of Salerno, Italy. It has a reputation as a health giver and it's latin name Salvia, comes form the word meaning "healthy" The ancients wrote that sage mixed with white wine or wormwood tea relieved dysentery and, when applied externally, healed certain wounds. It was once also used for colic and fevers, to expel worms, and to prevent epileptic seizures. John Evelyn wrote ( 17th century diarist) " Tis a plant indeed with so many and wonderful properties, as that the assiduous use of it is said to render men immortal" Romans called it herba sacra "holy herb" and used it in their religious rites.
Well I won't say that is true but many herbalists today use it for excessive sweating, nervous disorders, and to reduce milk flow in a nursing mother, as they ween their child from breast feeding. It's also used externally as a gargle or a lotion for wounds. Oh and people from Nevada would never forgive me if I didn't mention sagebrush is their state flower.
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mercury, in virgo, associated with the Pleiades
Element: Fire
Deities: Prometheus, Dionysus
Powers: Protection, Healing, Purification
Ritual Uses: The thysus, that were used in ceremonies by Dionysians, was made of giant fennel stalks with pine cones at the ends.
Magical Uses:
Fennel is generally used for protection, gathered at midsummers eve, it's hung in windows and doorways to ward off evil. Carry fennel for the same. Used in charms for Fertility and virility. Never use Fennel in incense it will amplify anger. Also used for Magical healing, and for fasting one can drink Fennel, to settle their stomachs before a ritual. Fennel is a Mercurial symbol, and makes it good for magical work for success.
Lore:
It was said to never grow Fennel yourself "To sow Fennel is to sow sorrow." According to Pliny snakes sought out fennel to sharpen their sight after shedding their skin, ancient doctors acting on this prescribed an extract of the root as a treatment for cataracts, and the whole plant for blindness. Still used today as an eyewash. Introduced to North America by Spanish Priests. In literature and legend fennel is a symbol of flattery, a remedy for failing eyesight, and an aphrodisiac. The Puritans called them 'meeting seeds', chewing them to quiet their rumbling tummies during church services. Fennel was considered on of the nine sacred herbs to treat disease during Medieval times. It was also thought to fight off evil spirits, which is why it was jammed into keyholes.Fennel may have bestowed immortality in the Greek legend of Prometheus
Medical uses:
Used as a remedy for stomach aches. Culpepper says Fennel is used with fish because it can annoy the body, and the fennel balances that, "it is an herb of Mercury, and under Virgo, and therefore bears antipathy to Pisces" Also used to break up kidney stones. Also used to calm bronchitis and coughs and stimulate milk flow in nursing mothers. A tea made with a few fresh sprigs of fennel or a level teaspoon of seeds will relieve indigestion.
Other uses and Lore:
You can use all parts of fennel. Chop the leaves and add it at the last moment to add flavor to potato salad, dressing, dips, or cream sauce. Add fennel leaves to bouquet garni for a lively taste. The bulb can be eaten raw in salads. The seeds are most commonly found being used in sausages, pickles, lamb, duck, or pork dishes and as an important ingredient in curries and in and on breads.It tastes a little like licorice, and looks much like dill, and part of the parsley family.
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Folk Names: Achillea, Arrowroot, Bad Man's Plaything, Carpenter's Weed, Death Flower, Devils's Nettle, Eerie, Field Hops, Gearwe, HundredLeaced Freass, Knght's Milfoil, Knyghten, Lady's Mantle, Milfoil, Militaris, Military Herb, Millefoilium, Noble Yarrow, Nosebleed, Old Man's Mustard, Old man's Pepper, Sanguinary, Seven Year's Love, Snakes's Grass, Soldier's Woundwort, Stanch Griss, Stanch Week. Tansy, Thousand Deal, Wound Wart, Yarroway, Yerw,
Supercilium Veneris (eyebrow of Venus)
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus in leo
Element: Water
Deities: Venus
Powers: Courage, Love, Psychic Powers, Exorcism
Magical Uses:
Wear Yarrow for protection, hold in your hand for courage. Hang over your bed for ensure a lasting love (for at least 7 years) Yarrow is used in Love spells. Carry Yarrow to attract friends, and to re-new distant relationships. Drank in tea to increase psychic powers. Yarrow was also used for excorism. Known for it's uncommon healing powers.
Wear Yarrow for protection, hold in your hand for courage. Hang over your bed for ensure a lasting love (for at least 7 years) Yarrow is used in Love spells. Carry Yarrow to attract friends, and to re-new distant relationships. Drank in tea to increase psychic powers. Yarrow was also used for exorcism. Known for it's uncommon healing powers.
Other uses & Lore:
In east Asia stalks were used in divining with the book of changes. Named after a goddess Yarrow is thought of as a woman's herb. Carried by women on the ancient pagan day of the Goddess that later became "Mary Ascension." The Latin name Chillea millefolium comes from the word Achilles, as he was stuck in the heal by an arrow, the Greek goddess Aphrodite entreated him to use Yarrow on this wound. Legend has it the Centaur Chiron initiated him into herbal lore.It was known to cure wounds made by iron. Cahuilla Indians used Yarrow for a mouthwash for toothaches and pyorrhea. In Victorian days they would prepare a ritual chamber to conceive, herbs such as Yarrow, mistletoe, parsley, myrtle, St. Johns Wort, were hung over the bed and all picked on Midsummers eve. Its specific name means 'a thousand leaves' and refers to its feathery foliage. The folk name Nosebleed confirms its traditional use as an emergency styptic. The name 'yarrow' is a corruption of the Anglo-Saxon name for the plant, gearwe.The ancient Chinese fortune-telling system known as the I Ching apparently first used dried yarrow stems, then replaced them with coins
Other uses and Lore:
The Yarrow plant has been used throughout the ages for it's healing properties. Yarrow is known to help with high blood pressure, digestive problems, and as an antiseptic. Yarrow has wonderful effects on the skin and hair; it can be used as a tonic for hair and scalp. It promotes hair growth, and aids the natural healing process for wounds, cuts, dry skin, and rashes. The smell of Yarrow is also helpful in reducing stress felt, and aids in restful sleep. Yarrow can help with varicose veins, and other circulatory disorders. It has a balancing effect on urine flow, and help to cure bed wetting. It is used to alleviate muscle pain and headaches. Yarrow is used for the common cold and fevers. It is also useful for essential hypertension, amenorrhea, dysentery and diarrhea. Yarrow helps regulate the menstrual cycle, reduces heavy bleeding and eases menstrual pain. American Indians poured an infusion of the plant tops into the ears of those with earaches, and pioneer drank it for everything from urinary problems to head colds
Folk Names: Achillea, Arrowroot, Bad Man's Plaything, Carpenter's Weed, Death Flower, Devils's Nettle, Eerie, Field Hops, Gearwe, HundredLeaced Freass, Knght's Milfoil, Knyghten, Lady's Mantle, Milfoil, Militaris, Military Herb, Millefoilium, Noble Yarrow, Nosebleed, Old Man's Mustard, Old man's Pepper, Sanguinary, Seven Year's Love, Snakes's Grass, Soldier's Woundwort, Stanch Griss, Stanch Week. Tansy, Thousand Deal, Wound Wart, Yarroway, Yerw,
Supercilium Veneris (eyebrow of Venus)
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus in leo
Element: Water
Deities: Venus
Powers: Courage, Love, Psychic Powers, Exorcism
Magical Uses:
Wear Yarrow for protection, hold in your hand for courage. Hang over your bed for ensure a lasting love (for at least 7 years) Yarrow is used in Love spells. Carry Yarrow to attract friends, and to re-new distant relationships. Drank in tea to increase psychic powers. Yarrow was also used for excorism. Known for it's uncommon healing powers.
Wear Yarrow for protection, hold in your hand for courage. Hang over your bed for ensure a lasting love (for at least 7 years) Yarrow is used in Love spells. Carry Yarrow to attract friends, and to re-new distant relationships. Drank in tea to increase psychic powers. Yarrow was also used for exorcism. Known for it's uncommon healing powers.
Other uses & Lore:
In east Asia stalks were used in divining with the book of changes. Named after a goddess Yarrow is thought of as a woman's herb. Carried by women on the ancient pagan day of the Goddess that later became "Mary Ascension." The Latin name Chillea millefolium comes from the word Achilles, as he was stuck in the heal by an arrow, the Greek goddess Aphrodite entreated him to use Yarrow on this wound. Legend has it the Centaur Chiron initiated him into herbal lore.It was known to cure wounds made by iron. Cahuilla Indians used Yarrow for a mouthwash for toothaches and pyorrhea. In Victorian days they would prepare a ritual chamber to conceive, herbs such as Yarrow, mistletoe, parsley, myrtle, St. Johns Wort, were hung over the bed and all picked on Midsummers eve. Its specific name means 'a thousand leaves' and refers to its feathery foliage. The folk name Nosebleed confirms its traditional use as an emergency styptic. The name 'yarrow' is a corruption of the Anglo-Saxon name for the plant, gearwe.The ancient Chinese fortune-telling system known as the I Ching apparently first used dried yarrow stems, then replaced them with coins
Other uses and Lore:
The Yarrow plant has been used throughout the ages for it's healing properties. Yarrow is known to help with high blood pressure, digestive problems, and as an antiseptic. Yarrow has wonderful effects on the skin and hair; it can be used as a tonic for hair and scalp. It promotes hair growth, and aids the natural healing process for wounds, cuts, dry skin, and rashes. The smell of Yarrow is also helpful in reducing stress felt, and aids in restful sleep. Yarrow can help with varicose veins, and other circulatory disorders. It has a balancing effect on urine flow, and help to cure bed wetting. It is used to alleviate muscle pain and headaches. Yarrow is used for the common cold and fevers. It is also useful for essential hypertension, amenorrhea, dysentery and diarrhea. Yarrow helps regulate the menstrual cycle, reduces heavy bleeding and eases menstrual pain. American Indians poured an infusion of the plant tops into the ears of those with earaches, and pioneer drank it for everything from urinary problems to head colds