Comparisons of Rosemary and Yarrow
Rosemary officinalis
As a Plant
Rosemary is a plant of warmth in which we encounter a forceful, fiery nature through its highly aromatic salty-spicy fragrance. Its roots enliven the 
earth then move on. In perceiving rosemary I encounter a composed, upright almost rigid bush with a dry woody stem suggesting that the water element is low in rosemary. It shows us the nature of contraction through its long, linear, leathery dark green spiky leaves and expansion through the softness of its open flowers.
Three Fold Connections
Rosemary connects strongly with the metabolic-limb system with an inclination towards the rhythmic system. It gives us warmth, physical presence, mental vitality and healthy embodiment. It is an excellent substance for bringing balance in times of forgetfulness or poor learning ability, loosely incarnated in body, lacking physical/etheric warmth, especially in bodily extremities.
Active Constituents
– Volatile oil
– Tannins
– Bitter principle
– Flavonoids
– Phenoilc acids including rosemarinic acid and rosmaricine and resin
Nutritional Constituents
– Vitamins: A and C
– Minerals: High in calcium with some iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium and zinc
Medicinal Uses
Rosemary brings warmth into the body and ‘fires’ the metabolism, it awaken and stimulates the ‘I’ organisation increasing its penetration through the body. It also acts as a circulatory stimulant and thought of as a tonic to the heart and blood vessels because of the flavonoid content. It stimulates mucous flow in the respiratory tract as well as having anti-inflammatory properties. For the digestive system its actions can relieve flatulence, indigestion and colic, and for the urinary tract it acts as a diuretic which may be due to the improved circulation through the kidneys. For the nerve-sense system it acts as a thymoleptic through stimulating the nervous system at the same time as being restorative to its function (Fisher & Painter, 1996). This is due to rosemary’s ability to bring penetrating warmth into the body restoring circulation to the nerves themselves. Rosemary can be ingested as a tea or liquid extract or applied as an oil or ointment. The essential oil can be used in the bath or placed in a burner and its aroma brings calmness and stability to otherwise anxious or excitable astral forces.
Contraindications
In general there appear to be few reported contraindications to using rosemary although caution may be warranted in women wishing to conceive. The essential oil should not be applied directly to the skin. It is best not to use rosemary in the evening due to its stimulating nature.
Achillae Mellefolium ~ Yarrow
As a Plant
Yarrow is a light plant filled plant whose roots have a horizontal spreading relationship with the earth before growing in an upright position. Its hairy quality indicates the presence of silica in yarrow supporting and enlivening its growth. Although Yarrow is an upright plant, it has a softer more sensitive aspect than rosemary. It has persistence and endurance, delaying its flowering process until it is ready. Yarrow reflects its airy soft nature through its feathery leaf form. Even the foliage gives an impression of gentle softness in its rhythmical spiral pattern along the stem towards its flower head and abundant blooms. Its aromatic fragrance has a note of bitterness rather than the sharp fiery penetrating fragrance of rosemary (Pelikan, 1976)
Three Fold Connections
Yarrow also connects with the metabolic-limb system but in a softer way to rosemary. The warmth of yarrow is much gentler as it eases tension and shifts excess air within the digestive system. The bitter aromatics promote hepatic activity stimulating the metabolism and strengthening the digestives processes. Because of the sulphur and salt processes yarrow holds balance between vitality and form thus stabilizing astral forces while helping us to keep our ‘feet on the ground’, (Pelikan, 1976).
Some of the Many Active Constituents
– Volatile oil
– Bitter glycol-alkaloid
– Tannins
– Flavoniods and Asparagine
Nutritional Constituents
– Vitamins: A, C, E and K
– Minerals: Manganese, copper, potassium, iron and iodine
Medicinal Uses
Yarrow has a wide rage of medicinal uses especially in supporting liver function and detoxification. It strengthens metabolic processes, stimulates the appetite and assists in relaxing the smooth muscle tissue of the digestive tract. It stimulates vitality in chronic conditions such as cancer. These same antispasmodic qualities are also found to be effective in smoothing the muscles of the uterus, thus helpful in the treatment of menstrual cramps (Tilgner, n.d.). One of the common uses of this plant is in the use of wound treatment as it contains chemicals that promote blood coagulation. It is cardio protective as it dilates and tones blood vessels, helps to lower hypertension and reduce palpitations.
For respiratory support it is considered a mucus membrane tonic in catarrhal conditions such as colds, bronchitis and asthma. Its anti-inflammatory action is thought to ease the pain of rheumatism while the antiseptic and diuretic properties support healing from cystitis and urethritis, (Fisher & Painter, 1996). Being a plant of light, yarrow relates to our soul or astral body; it helps us in the process of developing emotional strength and physical grounding. It can be used in the form of a liver compress, an infusion of dried herbs, a tincture or a fluid extract.
Contraindications
Sesquiterpenes are responsible for allergic contact dermatitis caused by yarrow. People with a known sensitivity to other members from this botanical family should avoid using yarrow. Also large doses of the fresh herb can cause vertigo and headaches. No adverse effects are expected during pregnancy, however thujone containing varieties should be avoided, (Bone, 2003). Compresses should no be used during times of fever, abdominal pain of unknown origin, acute hepatitis or severe diarrhoea.
In Conclusion
Although from different botanical families rosemary and yarrow relate strongly to the lower pole of the body with an affinity to the rhythmic system. Rosemary seems to have a more ‘restive’ affect on the sense-nerve system due to its ability to stimulate and restore nerve function at the same time. The warmth carried in rosemary is sharp, awakening and penetrating. The air carried in the yarrow brings movement, lightness and vitality. The growth form and structure of the yarrow is a lot more rhythmical while the aromatic fragrance of the rosemary is more enlivening to the senses. The yarrow leaves appear in direct contrast to those of the rosemary; yarrow enfolds air and openness while rosemary displays contraction and toughness. The yarrow flowers proudly open to the world from the top of the stem while the rosemary flowers hug close to the stem.
I feel surprised at their similarities of medicinal actions. Both plants connect with the metabolic system with an inclination to the rhythmic system. Both support metabolic processes, rosemary through its warmth and yarrow through bringing movement and form. Both plants appear to be cardio protective through their actions on the vascular system although yarrow seems to connect with the reproductive system more. From a four fold perspective rosemary seems to have strengthening and incarnating properties while yarrow has softer warmth and more dissolving kinds of properties. Both seem to stabilize the astral and etheric forces. Although there is still a lot I do not clearly understand I feel I have certainly learnt from this study.
References
Anthroposophical Nursing 