Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Yarrow is a perennial herb found the world over in waste places, fields, pastures, meadows and along railroad embankments and highways where it should never be picked on account of the chemical spraying that's routinely done to keep the weeds down. The simple stem bears aromatic bipinnately parted and dissected leaves, giving a lacy appearance. Yarrow can grow up to a yard high, yielding pretty flower heads with white rays and yellow (turning to brown) disks in them. The light brown, creeping rootstock produces a round, smooth, pithy stem that branches near the top.

Yarrow is a highly versatile remedy, with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic volatile oils, and astringent tannins. The resins are also astringent and antiseptic, while silica promotes tissue repair. These properties promote healing of cuts and wounds, burns and ulcers, and inflammatory skin conditions. In the digestive system, yarrow stimulates the appetite, enhances digestion and absorption; its astringent properties curb diarrhea and dysentery, and stem bleeding from the lining of the gut. The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties treat infections and inflamed conditions such as gastritis and enteritis, the bitters stimulate liver function, while its antispasmodics relax tensioning cramp, wind, colic or nervous dyspepsia.

Taken hot, yarrow is excellent for helping to throw off fevers and infections such as colds, flu, coughs, and sore throats. Yarrow clears heat and toxins from the system by causing sweating. As a tonic to the circulatory system, yarrow helps improve varicose veins, hemorrhoids, phlebitis and thrombosis, and reduces blood pressure. Yarrow's diuretic action aids the elimination of fluid and toxins from the system via the urine. Yarrow also relieves cystitis, irritable bladder, stones, and gravel. Yarrow helps relieve painful joints and clear the skin. Yarrow contains sterols which have a hormone-like action and help to regulate the menstrual cycle. Yarrow reduces heavy bleeding and uteric congestion, and relieve heavy periods. Yarrow is also a tonic to the nervous system.

The apigenin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, and the azulenes and salicylic acids are also both antispasmodic. The alkaloids have a hemostatic action, which confirms its usage as a remedy to stop bleeding. Chamazulene (as in chamomile) is anti-allergenic. This herb has an action in many different systems of the body. Primarily, it is probably best known for its action in the respiratory system, its diaphoretic (increases sweating) properties being used for colds and fevers. It can also be used for allergy for example, in hay fever. Its combined properties make it useful following flu or illness where there is little appetite as a tonic to promote digestion. In the cardiovascular system its antispasmodic and slightly diuretic action has made it valuable for lowering high blood pressure, and improving the venous circulation. In the reproductive system it is known as a menstrual regulator, which also helps to reduce heavy bleeding. Conversely, it can also bring on a period.

Other names

• Gandana
• I-chi-kao
• Milfoil
• Millefoil
• Noble Yarrow
• Nosebleed
• Old Man's Pepper
• Soldier's Woundwort
• Stanchgrass
• Thousand-leaf
• Thousand-seal

Parts used

Aerial parts.

Uses

Healing wounds - Achilles reputedly used yarrow to heal wounds, hence its botanical name. Yarrow has been used for this purpose for centuries, and in Scotland a traditional wound ointment was made from yarrow.
Therapeutic properties - Chamazulene, present in some volatile oils, is markedly anti-inflammatory and antiallergenic. Sesquiterpene lactones are bitter and tonic, and achilleine helps arrest internal and external bleeding. The flavonoids are probably responsible for yarrow's antispasmodic effect.
Gynecological herb - Yarrow  helps regulate the menstrual cycle, reduces heavy bleeding, and eases menstrual pain.
Other medical uses - Combined with other herbs, yarrow helps colds and flu. Its bitter tonic properties make it useful for weak digestion and colic. Yarrow also helps hay fever, lowers high blood pressure, improves venous circulation, and tones varicose veins. Make good herbal cleansers for skin wrinkles.

Habitat & cultivation

Native to Europe and western  Asia, yarrow can be found  growing wild in temperate regions throughout the world, in meadows and along roadsides. Yarrow spreads via its roots, and the aerial parts are picked in summer when in flower.

Research

Despite its many uses, yarrow has been poorly researched.

Constituents

- Volatile oil with variable content (linalool, camphor, sabinene, chamazulene)
- Sesquiterpene lactones
- Flavonoids
- Alkaloids (achilleine)
- Polyacetylenes
- Triterpenes
- Salicylic acid
- Coumarins
- Tannins

How much to take

As a tea, yarrow can be taken with other herbs 200 ml (8 fl oz) three times daily. As a tincture, take 1 ml (20 drops) three times a day.

Applications

FLOWERS:

INFUSION - Drink for upper respiratory phlegm or use externally as a wash for eczema.

INHALATION - For hay fever and mild asthma, use fresh in boiling water.

ESSENTIAL OIL:

MASSAGE OIL - For inflamed joints, dilute 5 - 10 drops yarrow oil in 25 ml infused St.John's wort oil.

CHEST RUB - For chesty colds and influenza, combine with eucalyptus, peppermint, hyssop, or thyme oils, diluting a total of 20 drops oil in 25 ml almond or sunflower oil.

LEAVES:

FRESH - To stop a nosebleed, insert a leaf into the nostril.

POULTICE - Wrap washed, fresh leaves on cuts and grazes.

AERIAL PARTS:

INFUSION - Use to reduce fevers and as a digestive tonic.

TINCTURE - Use for urinary disorders or menstrual problems. Prescribed for cardiovascular complaints.

COMPRESS - Soak a pad in the infusion or dilute tincture to soothe varicose veins.

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