The story of medicinal plants: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

       After the beautiful story of Autumn crocus that I presented you the other days, I will introduce you to two other medicinal plants, well known by all of us, who are used to treat many diseases: Yarrow and Wormwood or Green Ginger.

       The Yarrow is one of the most common medicinal plants in Romania and one of the species with most curative properties. This may have anthelmintic and hemostasis properties. It can be also  used as a disinfectant or intestinal disinfectant and antiseptic in the treatment of burns, eczema and ulcers. From Yarrow, flowers and aerial parts are used.

       Achillea millefolium's (Yarrow) name comes from the legendary hero of the Trojan War, King of Thessaly in Greece - Achilles, who discovered it and used it as a medicinal plant to cure his soldiers' wounds. However, Yarrow can be also associated with Achilea Island, where Achilles was worshiped.
 

 

Achillea millefolium

Sketch: Gabriela Iftode

 

        Wormwood or Green ginger - Artemisia absinthium L.,  popularly called in Romania "Goat foot" can be associated with the name of Artemisia, Mausol's wife who was king of Caria. Due to the pain caused by her husband's death, she raised a temple in memory of Mausol - Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, which is among the seven wonders of the world. Wormwood in popular belief signifies "treason" and is usually worn as a belt to defend yourself against fever and evil spirits.

       From Wormwood, you can only use the aerial parts, it has only anthelmintic and emetic properties.
 

Artemisia absinthium

Sketch: Gabriela Iftode

 

Gabriela Iftode

    25/08/13

 

Source:

 

Constantinescu C. 1979. Plante medicinale în apărarea sănătății. Ediția a VII-a. București: Editura Recoop

Lăzărescu G. 1979. Dicționar de mitologie. București: Editura Ion Creangă