Yarrow, the Versatile Herb

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1. The botanic name for yarrow is Achillea Millefolium. From what is the genus name "Achillea" derived? Chile in South America The Greek hero Achilles Chili peppers Chilin Province in China

2. Yarrow flowers look like clusters of tiny daisies. What colour are they? a lighter or darker blue depending on the soil white, pink or lavender white or pale yellow white with yellow centres

3. Yarrow was called The Military Herb by the ancient Greeks and all soldiers carried it. What did they use it for? to repel body lice and fleas to staunch bleeding to guard against venereal diseases to give them courage in battle

4. There are many common names for yarrow. Which of these is NOT one of them? nosebleed carpenter's weed old man's pepper maiden's delight

5. Yarrow is the subject of many superstitions and beliefs. It is said that hanging a bunch of dried yarrow over the bridal bed will ensure what? that there will be no miscarriages or stillbirths a first-born son a lasting love for at least seven years twins

6. In interpreting the ancient Chinese book of prophecy, the "I Ching", the ancients used to cast dried yarrow stalks. Modern users of the "I Ching" employ three other items instead. What are they? A coin, a tooth and a white stone three knucklebones three dice three coins

7. In the Middle Ages, before hops came into use, beer was a fermented herbal mixture known as gruit ale. Gruit was primarily a combination of yarrow and two other herbs. What were they? ginseng and hyssop juniper berries and samphire sweet gale and marsh rosemary sarsaparilla and mountain grape

8. Yarrow was a popular table vegetable in the 17th century. The leaves were cooked like spinach and it was also used to make a flavoursome soup. What does yarrow taste like? salty with an aroma of the sea about it sweet with a slightly bitter tang a crisp, nutty flavour fruity and slightly sweet

9. In modern herbal medicine, yarrow is used mainly for treating colds and influenza. The essential oil, distilled from the flowers, is used in chest rubs. What colour is the oil? dark blue or green dark red deep golden yellow colourless

10. If you have yarrow in your garden, you will find that it attracts large numbers of which creatures? butterflies snails bees toads