9 Comments
User's avatar
Norelle Hentschel's avatar

This is a beautiful description of the wonderful Yarrow. As an herbalist, it's one of my "desert island" herbs.

I particularly love this quote by the great herbalist, Dorothy Hall - “It is fitting that I finish my list of herbs with yarrow. It seems to me to typify the silent strength possessed by herbs in the healing of many ills, pulling the warmth of the sun and the welcome rain down into the soil to change by Nature’s alchemy into natural mineral, vitamins and oils in the service of man. I stand beside my yarrow clump with a feeling almost of awe. The “sacred herb” of some of the earliest cultures of man, unchanged for thousands of years, grows in my garden with the same properties now as it had then.”

Expand full comment
Ian Reed's avatar

Wonderful words, wonderful story. Wonderful plant and wonderful man. Thank-you Margi

Expand full comment
Geoffrey Deihl's avatar

Beautifully written. Bringing back ancient knowledge of plants of all kinds is essential to any survivalist. If we lived in a rational world, we would honestly look at the mess we have created and abandon that which we don't need, and identify what worked in the past. We're heading for 18th century lifestyles for those that survive this perfect storm of overshoot, climate change, dwindling oil and the exposure of government for what it really is — service of the soulless wealthy who have no clue to the limits of the Earth.

Expand full comment
Ron Edins's avatar

The writing reminded me of the works of Robin Wall Kimmerer. My wife and I both enjoyed it. Around 2018, she took two significant courses on medicinal and culinary herbs. Much of what she studied, we grow here. Our roughly two and a half acres provides us with room to grow food and provide a haven for wildlife.

I look forward to more writings such as this, a nice break from my less uplifting morning reading material.

Expand full comment
Margi Prideaux, PhD's avatar

I am gladvyou enjoyed, Ron. More like this is in the works.

Expand full comment
Tamara Yakaboski, PhD's avatar

What a lovely read on yarrow! I’ve had the pleasure of white yarrow in my Colorado backyard for a few years now and always delight in it and the native pollinators who come around 💚

Expand full comment
The Collapse Chronicle's avatar

What an evocative and valuable story. You motivate me to want to learn more about herbs. Just a splendid article. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Margi Prideaux, PhD's avatar

An absolute pleasure. Glad it has motivated you in a new direction.

Expand full comment
Susan Farquhar's avatar

Hi Margi: I just subscribed to you. Hope I got it right ie the money goes to you! When you have a moment, would you let me know you have it:) Thanks and Hi to Geoff❤️

Expand full comment