Habitat
Type: grassy areas
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere

General
Growth type: herb
Cycle: perennial
Height: up to 45 cm
Other: downy, aromatic

Leaf
Shape: pinnate
Arrangement: alternate along stem, large basal leaves
Edge: feathery

Flower
Arrangement: umbel-like cluster at top of stem
Colour: (may be either)

May cause photo sensitivity in sensitive people. Prolonged consumption may cause allergies. Leaves and flower may also cause photosensitivity on contact. This can be triggered initially when wet skin comes into contact with cut grass and yarrow together.

Contains thujone which is toxic to brain and liver cells and may cause abortion if eaten in quantity. Avoid if pregnant.

June to November - best July and August
June to November
all year
July and August

Parts with black and white icons are for non-culinary use

Flavour
Rating and Description:
bitter
aromatic

How to Consume
young: raw, tea
tea

Used as ...
food, beverage
beverage, flavouring

Action:
Plant: anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, bitter, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, haemostatic, hepatic, odontalgic, stimulant, vasodilator, vulnerary

May treat:
Plant: wounds, skin eruptions, colds, kidney disease, menstrual pain, circulatory problems, tooth ache

Plant (without seeds): compost activator, liquid plant feed, insect repellent. Good companion plant which attracts good insects and repels bad. Also has healing effect on nearby sick plants.
dye: yellow, green

Collection
Harvest when in flower. See also Caution Notes above.

Drying
Dry in shade.

Note
Contains anti-inflammatory agent azulene (content varies).

Useful to cavity-nesting birds who use it in their nests to repel parasites.

Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed

Parts with black and white icons in the availability section are for non-culinary use

Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use

Other:
caution

General Glossary

• pinnate: with series of leaflets on each side of a central stalk
• umbel: flower cluster with stalks joined in centre to form flat or curved surface; umbrella-like

Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances

• anti-inflammatory: reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc. (see also demulcent, emollient)
• antiseptic: prevents putrefaction (applied to wounds)
• antispasmodic: prevents or eases spasms or cramps
• astringent: causes localised contraction of blood vessels and tissue, reducing the flow of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• bitter: bitter-tasting; stimulates appetite, increases bile flow (essential for aiding the digestion of fat and neutralising stomach acid), regulates insulin and glycogen
• carminative: prevents or eases effects of flatulence
• cholagogue: increases flow of bile
• diaphoretic: promotes perspiration, aids the skin in elimination of toxins
• digestive: aids digestion
• diuretic: increases secretion and elimination of urine
• emmenagogue: stimulates or normalises menstrual flow, in early pregnancy may induce an abortion
• haemostatic: controls bleeding (see astringent)
• hepatic: acts upon the liver
• odontalgic: treats toothache (temporarily) and other problems of the teeth and
• stimulant: enlivens physiological functions of the body, without giving a false sense of well-being
• vasodilator: widens blood vessels, reducing blood pressure
• vulnerary: promotes healing of wounds (applied externally)