Yarrow Salve

Unguentum Achillea millefolium cp.

Historical tradition – not medical advice, and no health or healing claims. more

Historical botanical drawing: Yarrow — Yarrow

Tradition (Hildegard's writings)

Traditionally used for the care of wounds and of stressed skin — after minor injuries, for instance, and with sunburn.

Ingredients

Yarrow and coconut oil.

Note ⁴

According to Hildegard, yarrow draws the pus from a wound and supports healing without complications. With serious wounds, please seek medical advice. Skin contact with the fresh plant in sunlight can provoke skin reactions; anyone with a known hypersensitivity to plants of the daisy family should not use it.

Botanical background

The blue oil of yarrow, rich in azulene, is considered antiseptic and antimicrobial. Bioflavonoids (vitamin P) and tannins are credited with skin-caring properties, and coumarin is said to promote circulation in the skin. The leaves and flowering shoot tips of yarrow (Achillea millefolium) are used — a member of the daisy family growing up to 80 cm tall, with finely pinnate leaves.

Sources & references

Strehlow, Wighard: Die Hildegard-Naturapotheke. Heilmittel und Rezepte von A bis Z. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 248.
Hildegard von Bingen: Heilsame Schöpfung. Die natürliche Wirkkraft der Dinge (Physica). Hrsg. von der Abtei St. Hildegard, Eibingen. Beuroner Kunstverlag 2012 (4. Auflage 2024). Cap. 1-113 (Schafgarbe).
Strehlow, Wighard: Die Hildegard-Heilschätze. Schafgarbe, Veilchen, Galgant, Bertram. Knaur Verlag 2018. S. 33 ff.
Heepen, Günther H.: Das Heilwissen der Hildegard von Bingen. Gräfe und Unzer Verlag 2015. S. 50.
Breindl, Ellen: Das große Gesundheitsbuch der Hl. Hildegard von Bingen. Bassermann Verlag 2004. S. 270.

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More preparations using Yarrow

Yarrow Yarrow Powder

Historical tradition. The above describes how this preparation was recorded and used in the tradition of Hildegard of Bingen. This is cultural-historical information, not medical advice and not a health or healing claim, and it is no substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. If you have health complaints, please consult your doctor or pharmacy.

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