Yarrow, the Versatile Herb Trivia Quiz

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.