One way I keep each day fresh & new is to watch the roadsides of my daily drives. I name the plants I see as practice and also note the newcomers to scene. When I was in St. Louis at the very end of spring, that felt like deep summer there, this blue roadside flower caught my attention. It wasn’t until the end of June that this plant made its debut for the season in Northeast Wisconsin, and now it is lighting up the roadsides. My investigation revealed that this is chicory, and my mind was blown. Chicory is known as a coffee substitute, so my brain had a hard time putting this delicate periwinkle-esque flower in the category of a more earthy, warming taste.
Curbside chicory.
Chicory is a Eurasian plant that found its way to our roadsides where it, at least in my world, happily takes its place when in full bloom. Its stems are stick straight like branches, that weep milky contents when cut. The stems shoot from the ground and its alternating leaves and flowers take turns decorating the ascension. Chicory’s lower leaves are covered with hairs that can grow up to eight inches. In NorthEast Wisconsin, chicory is the star of the show from the end of June until October, when the scene primes for fall with explosions of goldenrod.
Chicory showing off in an otherwise “unused” industrial lot.
As I mentioned, chicory is most popularly known for being either mixed with or replacing coffee. It is thought that roasting chicory root for coffee started in Holland in the late 17th century. We cannot forget that chicory was used in practice all the way back to ancient Egypt, but the coffee mix may be a more modern use. Since the United States Civil War, chicory has been used as a rationing measure to stretch the coffee supply. To this day it is used in the Cafe du Monde blend as a New Orleans staple.
Chicory is a resilient grower, I even saw blooms on the ground level popping back up after being mowed.
My research revealed some other interesting uses for chicory and I highly recommend the Elder Hour podcast episode on the more magical uses of chicory. A topic that kept popping up in my research was the benefit of chicory in feed additives for chickens and pigs. In the study done on chickens, one day old broiler chickens were fed a control feed or feed with probiotics or a percentage of chicory. The control group was found to have higher triglycerides, LDL and lower HDL cholesterol levels as well as more incidents of E. Coli in their gut flora than the groups fed chicory or the probiotic blend. This gives a different form of evidence for what we know chicory to be, hepatoprotective and beneficial for metabolism functions like blood sugar and cholesterol. The study on pig feed also showed that supplementation of chicory is hepatoprotective, serves as an antioxidant, and modulates how the liver’s cholesterol metabolism.
Can you spot the chicory?
While chicory has served its social purpose across time, its addition to coffee culture also adds amazing health benefits. As mentioned above chicory is protective to the liver and enhances the body’s metabolic pathways, including blood sugar regulation. If you choose to add chicory to your morning coffee not only are you jump starting your mental system, but also your gastrointestinal system we well. Chicory is a prebiotic food and is helpful for digestive issues and ulcers. This blend may make coffee less harsh on a sensitive stomach or replace it completely for those just looking for that earthy grounding taste to start their day (add dandelion and cinnamon for ever more benefits!).
In our modern world, chicory loves rough edges, filling them with their delicate, yet ridgid touch.
Last but not least, chicory is known for its benefits to your immune system. Chicory seed and root extracts have been found to be antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antitumor, antiprotozoal, antiaging, and an antioxidant! Learning all of this is inspiring me to add chicory to a mushroom/dandelion root blend to really soak up so much goodness to boost me in these coming cold winter days!
Yet again I am so glad I followed my curiosity and was not afraid to admit I didn’t know something. Following the powder blue trail led to a greater understanding of chicory. I also gained another plant ally on my team to help keep my liver and immune system functioning to the best of their abilities!
Sources: The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies – Apelian, Ph.D & Davis
Khoobani M, Hasheminezhad SH, Javandel F, Nosrati M, Seidavi A, Kadim IT, Laudadio V, Tufarelli V. Effects of Dietary Chicory (Chicorium intybus L.) and Probiotic Blend as Natural Feed Additives on Performance Traits, Blood Biochemistry, and Gut Microbiota of Broiler Chickens. Antibiotics (Basel). 2019 Dec 20;9(1):5. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics9010005. PMID: 31861921; PMCID: PMC7168175.
Lepczyński A, Herosimczyk A, Ożgo M, Marynowska M, Pawlikowska M, Barszcz M, Taciak M, Skomiał J. Dietary chicory root and chicory inulin trigger changes in energetic metabolism, stress prevention and cytoskeletal proteins in the liver of growing pigs – a proteomic study. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2017 Oct;101(5):e225-e236. doi: 10.1111/jpn.12595. Epub 2016 Nov 17. PMID: 27859709.
Pouille CL, Ouaza S, Roels E, Behra J, Tourret M, Molinié R, Fontaine JX, Mathiron D, Gagneul D, Taminiau B, Daube G, Ravallec R, Rambaud C, Hilbert JL, Cudennec B, Lucau-Danila A. Chicory: Understanding the Effects and Effectors of This Functional Food. Nutrients. 2022 Feb 23;14(5):957. doi: 10.3390/nu14050957. PMID: 35267932; PMCID: PMC8912540.
Confession: I am still new to this whole herbalist life. However, ever since the door to the plant path opened for me, my worldview has shifted immensely. My connection with my surroundings feels much deeper. It is an honor and a complete delight to watch as the scenery changes each year. Not only with seasonal shifts, but also annual differences. These last few years have taught me to notice the subtleties of particular growth patterns, who is blooming, who seems to be the star of the moment, and what message the earth around me trying to send. Nothing is accidental and everything has a role. Once you begin to understand this is the language of plants; it allows you to get a taste of the magic of the universe as a whole. Their intelligence is mind blowing and our attempt at comprehension is just scratching the surface, or in some cases we translate to appease our own desires, but that’s a story for another day. The story for today is yarrow, our lovely friend who in my eyes is the star of the summer.
My baby yarrow that I grew from seed and resides in my front yard.
Just like a fireworks show, wildflowers and plants begin their show as the weather warms and the sun shines longer, blessing us with spring then summer. In my area and my perception things this year began with wild mustard and the show began to pop off. While you can predict who will show up, you never know how much or what the phases will bring. Some plants only flower in the second year and some need an instigator like soil disruption or fire to awaken their growth. When watching a particular area or even your own front yard, things change every year. You never know when a plant ally will show up. For example, motherwort blessed my yard this year & I am soooooo grateful. Whether a bird angel dropped some seed or it just blew into my life on the wind, my garden is forever changed. This is the magic of plants and nature.
A yarrow patch on my way to work.
One of my mentors told me about the secret language of plants and it really stuck with me. They mentioned that they should have known we were headed into a phase where the respiratory system was going to need a lot of help due to the plants they saw growing in abundance. Mullein was one ally that has continued to really show up over the last few years. In hindsight, Queen Ann’s Lace was notably prolific last year. Road sides, fields, you name it were full of the wispy white lace saucers. Did it know we might need its powers this year? Did is sense an attack on the reproductive system? How do you engage with their messages when you have to be thinking ahead, allowing them to help you predict the future. This year, instead of Central Wisconsin roadsides being filled with Queen Ann’s Lace I was intrigued to find my drives across Wisconsin to be FILLED with yarrow.
A Northern Wisconsin roadside, full of yarrow.
In order to attempt to translate its message, let’s take a step back and understand what we know about yarrow. Starting with plant identification, yarrow’s latin name helps you remember some key features since white wild flowers can be a very tricky topic. With that being said, plant ID is CRITICAL if you are going to forage yarrow! You must feel 100% confident in your ID skills since there are a few unfriendly look alikes. While this is a serious note, yarrow does have key features that are extremely helpful.
Notice the growth pattern of the stem into flower.
I am going to explain this in my own lingo. Please consult your favorite guide books and several references so that you can develop your own lingo as well. This will ensure that you understand what you are looking at and for in your own perspective of the plant. When I was first starting out I confused yarrow with Queen Ann’s lace. Thankfully this was not a harmful error, but looking back I needed to study a bit more before heading out foraging.
Botanical drawings are helpful when assessing each phase and part of the plant. I found this on Etsy.
As I mentioned before, in the case of yarrow starting with the latin name tells you some helpful tips for plant identification. Achillea millefolium, millefolium referring to the apparent thousands of leaflets coming off of the leaf base stem structure. This looks feathery or even like mini squirrel tails. For the most part, yarrow is short (1-3 feet tall) a lot of times growing below knee height, but this year I have seen it growing to its max potential along roadsides. Yarrow thrives in full sun to partial shade and blooms from May to July. Along with leaf structure, the composition of flowers/buds is another key feature in white flowered plant ID. In yarrow’s case, somewhat dense clusters of flowers form from a stem that multiplies at is reaches to top. It starts with the base stem and then almost has a tiny separate stem for each small white flower. The clusters are slightly firm to the touch with 10-40 mini white flowers. Yarrow does come in various colors (white, yellow, pink, red), each with their own energetics, but the predominant wild flower in my region is white. The scent of yarrow is described as sweet pine, but once you positively ID the plant you can develop your own description. Yarrow leaves and flowers are bitter, notiably part of the aster/daisy family. Caution for allergies along with improper plant identification, specifically poison hemlock, which should not be touched or smelled. Nature’s Garden by Samuel Thayer breaks down the differences excellently.
Dense flower heads that remind me of cauliflower.
Now that we know what plants we are looking at, we can move on to the message it is trying to send to us. My first thought was are we all going to be a bleeding mess next year, but I discussed this topic with a friend and she reminded me of the energetic properties of yarrow and that reset my focus a bit. Let’s discuss both.
Yarrow grow in patches, spread by rhizome.
The reason my the first thought my overly dramatic brain had was worrying that we all will bleed to death is because yarrow is a reliable wild medicine ally. Yarrow can be added to your wilderness medicine/first aid kit or if you are hiking it can be used in emergencies. This is because it can stop bleeding and has antimicrobial powers. However, The Holistic Herbalism Podcast did note that the small particles of yarrow are not always easy to get out of wounds, so yarrow is better in an infused wound wash. I am currently making a plantain & yarrow powder infused witch hazel.
Close up of yarrow leaves. Notice the many (thousand) little leaves.
The prevention of bleeding is definitely not all that yarrow is known for. It is a mild diuretic, meaning it can help flush fluid off of the body. This can be helpful for individuals who struggle to manage their fluid either in congestive heart failure or high blood pressure. Its bitter nature can assist with digestion and reduce gas build up or cramping bellies. Another way it helps upset stomachs is through antispasmodic properties.
Even closer shot of the leaves. A lot of the bitterness is found here.
Combining a lot of what was just mentioned above, yarrow can be an ally to those who menstruate. The stimulating and sedative actions of yarrow excite uterine muscles while relaxing them, thus bringing on late periods or easing cramps when taken as a warm tea. Yarrow can be used in a sitz bath or in a postpartum pericare blend to help with healing/bleeding/episiotomy incisions and can tone the uterus after birth. Yarrow is also hormone balancing and promotes progesterone production and is useful for when menses in menopause are coming too frequently.
More roadside yarrow.
One last physical effect of yarrow is that it is a very helpful fever aide. By drinking yarrow in a tea blend, preferable with some immune boosting allies like hibiscus or elderberry that will help improve tea flavor, the body is encouraged to sweat and work through what it needs too. There is a place for fever in the illness process, but sometimes you need some relief. Yarrow helps the immune reaction of sweating it out take place in a supportive way that can help illness move through faster in some cases.
Rainbow variety of yarrow.
Now let’s move on to the energetic properties of yarrow. These can be captured in a flower essence, but also have some effects when you interact with yarrow, grow yarrow near your home, and work with yarrow as a plant ally. Below is an excerpt from my materia medica and sources will be included at the end of this post.
Flower Essence:
White yarrow: Strengthens and protects against toxic environmental influences, geopathic stress, and other hazards of technology-dominated modern life. This includes the disruptive effects of radiation on human energy fields from X-rays, televisions, computer monitors, electromagnetic fields, airplane flights or nuclear fall-out.
Golden yarrow: Positive qualities: Remaining open to others while staying self-contained; active social involvement which preserves inner equilibrium. Patterns of imbalance: Over-sensitivity to one’s social surroundings, resulting in social isolation, or a false social persona; dependence on drugs for protection or social masking
Pink Yarrow: boundary medicine for those who work in the healing field/work close emotionally with others. Positive qualities: Loving awareness of others within a field of self-contained consciousness; appropriate emotional boundaries. Patterns of imbalance: Unbalanced sympathetic forces, overly absorbent auric field, lack of emotional clarity, dysfunctional merging with others
End of story, yarrow is boundary medicine in many forms. In a world that seems to never stop, especially when we have technology involved, it helps us sit with our own energy, protecting us. So much of others opinions and emotions are thrust at us, telling us certain things are bad, be mad about this, the world is scary etc. etc., but when we sit with our own truth we can see clearer and realize that we are all, at our core, coming from the same place. At times we are divided by what our body looks like or what/where we identify with, but at the end of the day we truly all are just on a journey to try and experience joy, love, and the passions our soul drives us towards.
Simply divine.
So whatever message yarrow is telling you, for some reason it is really calling out to me this year. From patches on my way to work that are persistently growing despite being mowed, to the roadsides on my drive across Wisconsin. Yarrow is here this year. What a blessing it is to grow along side it.
Sources:
Midwest Medicinal Plants – Lisa M. Rose
The Holistic Herbalism Podcast
The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies – Nicole Apelian Ph.D & Claude Davis
It’s a journey that will never end, so here are some pointers for starting off when the knowledge pool can feel very, very vast and let’s be honest, a little intimidating!
Celia with a tentative ID of usnea lichen while exploring the land where her brother lives in Missouri.
-Learn one thing at a time!
I get it! You are enthralled with connecting with plants and maybe even foraging a few, but by taking a small step back you are actually setting yourself up for greater success. The Internet makes us think we have to know all the things and maybe we even have a little imposter syndrome feeling like we don’t know as much as others, but remember all the time it took that person to be that knowledgeable. Passion is the key in the door and you need to direct it so that its a tool for you and a sustainable interest. I constantly have to reign in my Gemini moon and find my flow. I’m still learning too. IT. WILL. NEVER. STOP.
Wild Mustard at a local park.
-Repetition
Once you pick one or two things to learn about, repetition is KEY! Just like how you see a red car once you think about a red car, the plants will come to you in waves. Listen and learn from this flow. Did you hear about a plant several times in a short period of time? Notice that, see how others are connecting with it. This form of learning is much more impactful because you will have experiential, sensory memories of the plant and the connection is that much stronger.
Labeling your pictures from plant walks helps you remember what you saw.
-Know Your Neighborhood
Plant ID is a skill that needs to be practiced. This includes learning leaf shapes, flower patterns, key identifiers and noticing how one plant is unique compared to others that grow around it. Noticing the diversity that grows in your yard or neighborhood is a great place to start. Not only that, but it will help you feel even more connected to the environment around you. Spring and Summer is a great time for this because you will notice as each plant takes its turn to shine while flowering. Watch as the dandelions, violets and wild mustard bloom, now peonies are reaching peak and soon the landscape will change again. It is an ever evolving cycle that will open your mind, heart and soul to the beautiful cyclical flow of nature constantly happening all around us.
The beloved, but for some annual annoyance….dandelion!
-Take a walk!
Take all the tips above and head outside! As I walk I scan the area, noticing what is around me and when I see something I know, I greet it, name it and observe. Where is it growing, what stage is it in, the joy I feel interacting with it. Just because you see a plant doesn’t mean you need to know everything about it or take anything from it. Each interaction is a learning experience and is making a deep impact on your relationship with the world around you and you path within it. You don’t need to have the intention of foraging to go on a plant ID walk. By simply noticing the world around you you might notice a greater sense of awe, peace, and happiness within you. This is a form of meditation within itself. So head outside and enjoy!
*same can be done while driving and noticing the roadside changing
Late spring expression of a wild cherry tree.
-Learn from others
Tis the season for plant walks and a variety of different plant/herbalism/nature classes. Search Facebook events, google search local herbalists and keep your eyes peeled for events that might be of interest to you. Learning from more experienced people in the area of your interests helps uplevel your knowledge base. In terms of plant ID, reading books is not enough. You need to get out and have first-hand experiences with the plants in order to fully get to know them. These classes also help reinforce safety and ethical practices, which are essential to working with plants and nature. You might even make a friend or two…or if you are like me have your mind blown open and realize a deeper calling within yourself! Possibilities are endless when you open your heart on a deeper level to mother nature.
