Yarrow (Achellia millefolium)
by Susun Weed
This lovely perennial weed is grown in many herb gardens for it has a multitude of uses. Cut the flowering tops (use only white-flowering yarrow) and use your alcohol to make a strongly-scented tincture that you can take internally to prevent colds and the flu. (A dose is 10-20 drops, or up to 1 ml).
I carry a little spray bottle of yarrow tincture with me when I'm outside and wet my skin every hour or so. A study showed Yarrow tincture to be more effective than DEET at repelling ticks, mosquitoes, and sand flies.
You can also make a healing ointment with yarrow flower tops and your oil or fat. Yarrow oil is antibacterial, pain-relieving, and incredibly helpful in healing all types of wounds.
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This article was written when long cold winters were the norm. Nowadays it is too warm at night to collect sap in March and most sugaring is done in February. ~ Susun