Yarrow

What Is Yarrow?

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a perennial wild plant in the daisy family, common throughout the Northern Hemisphere. It is known for its fine, feathery, downy leaves and umbrella-shaped clusters of small white or pinkish flowers.

It is common in the countryside and meadows of Türkiye; it is best known in folk use for being dried and steeped as tea, and in some regions fresh shoots are also added to salads.

Yarrow Nutrition

A detailed nutrition table for yarrow could not be verified against reliable public sources to this encyclopedia’s standard, so this section has been intentionally left blank. Since it is generally consumed as a tea or in small amounts as a garnish, its practical contribution to the daily diet is also limited.

What Are the Benefits of Yarrow?

Yarrow has long been consumed as an herbal tea in traditional folk medicine; various studies have examined its compounds, but these findings have not become definitive medical recommendations.

This information is general; yarrow is an herb and is not a substitute for medical treatment. People allergic to plants in the daisy family may have a reaction; avoiding it during pregnancy is traditionally recommended, and a doctor should be consulted before consuming any herbal product.

How to Choose Yarrow

Fresh yarrow should have vivid green leaves and show no signs of wilting; in the dried form, the flowers should be closer to white or cream than faded brown.

• On fresh stems, leaves should be vivid green and flowers pale white or cream.
• The dried product should show no signs of mold or smell musty.
• A faintly bitter, spicy aroma when smelled is a sign of freshness.

How to Store Yarrow

Fresh yarrow can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, wrapped in a damp cloth. Dried flowering stems can be kept for months as tea ingredients in a sealed jar in a dark place.

How to Use Yarrow in the Kitchen

Yarrow is most commonly consumed as an herbal tea made by steeping dried flowering stems; in some regions, small amounts of young shoots are added to salads or egg dishes.

How to Steep Yarrow Tea

Add a pinch of dried flowering stems to boiling water and steep for 5-8 minutes to make a traditional herbal tea; sweeten with honey if desired.

Can Yarrow Be Used in Salads?

In some regions, small amounts of young, tender shoots are mixed with other greens and added to salads because of their mildly bitter taste.

What Dishes Use Yarrow?

It is used in herbal tea blends and some regional wild-green salads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does yarrow grow?

It is a wild plant that grows widely in meadows, fields, and along roadsides in nearly every region of Türkiye.

What does yarrow tea taste like?

It has a mildly bitter, herbal taste, so it is usually sweetened with honey or lemon.

Are yarrow and chamomile the same plant?

No. Although both belong to the daisy family, they are different species. Yarrow’s downy, feather-like leaves make it easy to distinguish from chamomile.

When is yarrow harvested?

It is usually harvested in late spring and summer, when the flower clusters are fully open, and dried in the shade.

Can everyone consume yarrow?

People allergic to plants in the daisy family and pregnant women are advised to use caution and consult a doctor before consuming it.