Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Family:
Asteraceae, Aster family
Where to find this herb:
Basically everywhere! Roadsides, disturbed areas, meadows, your garden, etc.
Part(s) used:
leaves and flowers. Stems for I-Ching
Special constituents:
Essential oil containing α- og β-pinene, borneol, bornyl acetate, camphor, caryophyllene, eugenol, farnesene, myrcene, sabinene, salicylic acid, terpineol, thujone m.m. (Sometimes azulenes are found in Yarrow oil, but these are probably not originally from Yarrow, but found in closely related species which hybridize with Yarrow.) Sesquiterpene lactones: achillin, achillicin, millifin and many others.
Correspondance:
14 (Beyerl, Cunningham)
Uses:
Antiinflammatory, diaphoretic, diuretic, orexigenic; against fevers, rheumatism, colds, stomach problems. Magical: love, friendship, protection, courage.
Duizendblad 
Røllike The name Achillea refers to Achilles, the greek hero, who is said to have used this plant to heal the wounds of his fellow warriors.
Medicinally the herb has been used since antiquity, against a variety of complaints. And rightly, as it aids healing of wounds, is antiseptic, and reduces fever.
The easiest way to use Yarrow is to make tea. It is rather bitter, so best mix it with other herbs. The tea of Yarrow will stimulate your appetite - it will also help against stomach cramps and menstrual pain. The best time to collect Yarrow leaves for tea is just before it flowers.
The essential oil of Yarrow can be added to beer instead of hops. Such a beer should, according to Linné, make you drunk much faster than normal beer.
Women in the menopause should benefit from the essential oil; it makes you relax, brings peace, and at the same time energy. For the plant to produce good quality oil, it should be grown in a sunny, warm climate. The oil has a blue tinge and an aroma similar to Chamomile oil.
Magically the herb can be used to attract friends. And it makes love last at least 7 years! To achieve this, hang Yarrow over your bed. This will remove all negativity and evil. Druehyld recommends that men used the pink Yarrows, women the white ones.
If you use the chinese oracle I-Ching the original way, you do it with Yarrow-sticks. The best sticks are the from Yarrows grown on Confucius's grave. Whether there are any Yarrows there at all, I don't know!
It's easy to grow Yarrow in your own garden; in fact, it's quite invasive. The strong roots are difficult to get rid off, once they are present. You can choose some of the more exotic Yarrow varieties though, they have bigger flowers and come in several colours. Don't use these for medicinal purposes though, as they may not have the same characteristics as the common Yarrow.
The essential oil blends well with:
Cederwood, Pine, Chamomile, Valerian, Vetiver, Oak Moss.