Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)Image of the Yarrow flowers

Gitxsan name:  unknown
Wet'suwet'en name:  bil'il yesone

Botanical Description

Photo courtesy of Ruth Cooper (43kB)

 


Ethnobotanical Use

A decoction of everything except the root was gargled by the Gitxsan as a cure for sore throats, heart tonic or as a wound dressing. Yarrow mixed with fat was used a hair dressing.

The Wet'suwet'en washed and crushed the roots to use as pain-killer for toothaches. They would bathe in infusions made of the leaves and stems for relief from rheumatism. They also used decoctions of the plant as a tonic or astringent.