May Flowers: The Yarrow on Day 141 of 365 Days of Literacy for Kids!

Yarrow in Sharon's garden. Photo by Sharon.

YARROW… lovely, wispy and fern-like, the Yarrow has quite an interesting origin.

Achillea is the Yarrow’s botanical name, coming from one legend that when Greek hero Achilles was born, his mother held him by his heel and dipped him in Yarrow-infused water to protect him from harm.  The Yarrow was believed to be a sacred herb that kept evil and negativity away.  Of course we know that the heel that Archilles’ mother held as he was bathed was his only vulnerable spot… the spot of his mortal wound.

The Yarrow has been long associated with healing, protection and love spells.  The Yarrow is known as Nose-Bleed for its reputation of curing nose bleeds.  There are writings from as early as the 15th century listing Yarrow for such purpose.

The Yarrow is also known as Knights Milfoil (milfoil derives from the French millefueille, meaningthousand leaf”),  Soldiers Yarrow and Staunchweed for its herbal ability to staunch the flow of blood in wounds and cuts.  The Yarrow was also used as a wound poultice during the American Civil War.

For its curing abilities on the battlefield, the Yarrow has come to symbolize war.

The Yarrow is also associated with folklore and magic.  There is one belief that the Yarrow will keep evil spirits away.  Another belief is that if a young man or maiden wraps a piece of the Yarrow in a flannel cloth and places it under his/her pillow, a vision of a future husband or wife will appear in a dream.

And here’s an interesting tidbit… washing a head with a Yarrow infusion is said to prevent baldness.

The Yarrow comes in whites, yellow, pinks, lavenders and even crimson… and its flowers are easily dried and preserved (for the folklore spells, I presume!)

Kids love knowing interesting things about interesting thingsFlowers are easy and accessible things in real-life and in books.  Tell your kids of the Archilles story and the Yarrow.  Talk about the Yarrows lovely little flowers… with the great big impact on healing.  Talk about legends and myths and folklore. All of these things bring great learning and great literacy.

Teach your kids to listen to the language of flowers!


 

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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