Yarrow

If you have ever crushed up a few Yarrow leaves you already know that it is a delightful plant to have around.    The aroma is strong and very good. The benefits of simply smelling the leaves are similar to wild sages clearing your head and generally lifting your spirits. (I suppose simply taking a deep breath could contribute to this phenomenon, but the deliciously healthful scent can't hurt either)

Yarrow is one of my favorite wild plants (aren't they all).  Growing everywhere from farm fields to Adirondack meadows, this herb is reportedly a transplant from Europe, however, some sources say that the best Yarrow is North American.  I have an account of Yarrow being touted as an important medicinal plant as early as 1633, so if not actually native to North America, it has certainly been here for quite a while.  Yarrow has also been called Woundwart, Knight's Milfoil and Devil's Plaything.  The name "Woundwart" undoubtedly comes from it's widespread use to staunch bleeding and treat open wounds.  Yarrow has also been commonly used to treat headaches and migraines by making a tea or poultice.  The Flavonoids contained in Yarrow increase production of both saliva and stomach acid making the plant an effective digestive aid.  Yarrow can be a mildly inebriating sedative, the benefits of this property having been used to treat anxiety, "sickness of the head",  insomnia and soreness in the joints.  It has been proven to relax the smooth muscles of the body which also aids in digestion and eases menstrual cramps.  Yarrow can also be used to induce sweating in order to break a fever or chase off a cold.  

Marginal uses include treatment for worms, eczema, cancer, dysentery, nosebleeds and toothaches and for ceremonial smoking.

One of the American Indian accounts I found talked about the "white people" rubbing Yarrow on their heads to prevent baldness.  I also found an account of Europeans using it as a love potion by putting a sachet of it under someone's pillow to bring about dreams of their future spouse.

Most Yarrow is white with an occasional pink tint to it.  I found this bright pink Yarrow flower at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake.  

As far as edibility is concerned, Yarrow is sometimes used to flavor beer and I even found a recipe to make an "acceptable" wine from it.