Common Yarrow 🌿 - I.F.

"This illustration aims to capture the vastness of the plant and the clusters in which it grows. Common yarrow, often found around this area, blooms in shades of yellow, white, and pink. The plant typically grows to about one meter tall and has a strong odor. Using watercolor, Bristol paper, alcohol markers, pencil crayons, and paint markers, I aimed to convey its presence and natural beauty. Yarrow holds strong medicinal value for the indigenous people within our community. Historically, it has been used to heal wounds and stop bleeding due to its chemical compound, Achillein, which is an alkaloid known to have blood-clotting properties. Some stories say even Achilles, after whom the plant is named, used yarrow to stop the bleeding of his soldiers. The plant also has a sweet, somewhat soapy smell, and I recall how my mom, whenever she goes on a hike, takes a few leaves and rubs them between her fingers to smell." - Indiara Faucher