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Yarrow, the Versatile Herb Trivia Quiz

Yarrow has come a long way: fossils of its pollen have been identified in Neanderthal burial caves, and it is still used today.

A multiple-choice quiz by annamc. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
annamc

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
230,752

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
673

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The botanic name for yarrow is Achillea Millefolium. From what is the genus name "Achillea" derived? Hint

Chilin Province in China

Chile in South America

The Greek hero Achilles

Chili peppers

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Question 2 of 10

2. Yarrow flowers look like clusters of tiny daisies. What colour are they?
Hint

white with yellow centres

a lighter or darker blue depending on the soil

white, pink or lavender

white or pale yellow

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Question 3 of 10

3. Yarrow was called The Military Herb by the ancient Greeks and all soldiers carried it. What did they use it for? Hint

to repel body lice and fleas

to give them courage in battle

to guard against venereal diseases

to staunch bleeding

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Question 4 of 10

4. There are many common names for yarrow. Which of these is NOT one of them? Hint

carpenter's weed

nosebleed

maiden's delight

old man's pepper

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Question 5 of 10

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? Hint

a lasting love for at least seven years

twins

a first-born son

that there will be no miscarriages or stillbirths

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? Hint

three knucklebones

A coin, a tooth and a white stone

three coins

three dice

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Question 7 of 10

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? Hint

ginseng and hyssop

juniper berries and samphire

sweet gale and marsh rosemary

sarsaparilla and mountain grape

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

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? Hint

salty with an aroma of the sea about it

sweet with a slightly bitter tang

a crisp, nutty flavour

fruity and slightly sweet

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

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? Hint

deep golden yellow

dark blue or green

dark red

colourless

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Question 10 of 10

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

bees

butterflies

snails

toads

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The botanic name for yarrow is Achillea Millefolium. From what is the genus name "Achillea" derived?

Answer: The Greek hero Achilles

Yarrow is named for Achilles, the great Greek leader in the Trojan War, who bound the wounds of his warriors with yarrow to staunch the blood and cleanse the wounds. Achilles learned the secret of yarrow's medicinal value from Chiron, the mythological Centaur, who was a skilled healer and herbmaster.

2. Yarrow flowers look like clusters of tiny daisies. What colour are they?

Answer: white, pink or lavender

The flowers are the most aromatic part of the yarrow plant, and as such make a good potpourri ingredient. The dried flowers can be bought at specialist herbal shops.

3. Yarrow was called The Military Herb by the ancient Greeks and all soldiers carried it. What did they use it for?

Answer: to staunch bleeding

There is a myth that yarrow grew from specks of rust that fell on the ground when Achilles scraped some from his spear to put on a soldier's wound. In the language of flowers, yarrow symbolises both war and healing.

4. There are many common names for yarrow. Which of these is NOT one of them?

Answer: maiden's delight

It is called "Nosebleed" because it is a nasal irritant and a rolled leaf put up the nose will cause bleeding, which was thought to relieve headaches. The dried leaves were sometimes ground to make a snuff called "Old Man's Pepper" because of its pungency. Carpenters used yarrow for its styptic qualities, and applied it to the many nicks and cuts they sustained in the course of their work, hence "Carpenter's Weed".

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?

Answer: a lasting love for at least seven years

The Saxons wore yarrow amulets to protect against blindness, robbers, and dogs. They also tied it to an infant's cradle to protect it from those who might try to steal its soul. In the Middle Ages there was a belief that a yarrow sachet under the pillow would cause you to dream of your true love, but if you dreamt of cabbages instead, disaster would befall you. You may wonder why anyone would dream of cabbages, but it appears that yarrow smelt a bit like cabbage. (Personally I would have to be pretty desperate before I put any cabbage-smelling thing under my pillow!)

Answer: three coins

The I Ching is an ancient Chinese text which is used as a system of divination. The user casts three coins, which tell him which of the 64 hexagrams to consult for an answer to his question.

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?

Answer: sweet gale and marsh rosemary

The main herbs used to make gruit were sweet gale, yarrow and marsh rosemary, but different brewers added other herbs, like ginger, caraway seed and cinnamon, to produce their own distinct flavour. Brewers were very competitive and kept their formulae secret. According to the literature, gruit was very intoxicating - modern scientific research confirms that the main gruit herbs do indeed contain substances that are mildly narcotic, psychotropic, or inebriating.

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?

Answer: sweet with a slightly bitter tang

Tea made from dried yarrow flowers was popular as a remedy for severe colds, but was also drunk just for the refreshing quality of its pungent aroma and astringent taste.

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?

Answer: dark blue or green

Yarrow oil is prescribed with caution, as it can cause a severe allergic reaction that produces a painful skin rash, and in pregnant women it can cause uterine contractions.

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

Answer: butterflies

Butterflies are attracted to flowers like yarrow, that have many flower heads and numerous small florets. It is also helpful that yarrow flowers all year round, providing them with a constant source of nectar.

Source: Author annamc

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Moo before going online.
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