Yarrow

botanicalherb

What is it

Yarrow ( Achillea millefolium ) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae family, native across the temperate Northern Hemisphere. The aerial parts (flowering tops and leaves) are used in herbal preparations. Constituents include sesquiterpene lactones (achillin, leucodin), flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, and their glycosides), phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic), and an essential oil that varies considerably in chemotype: the principal volatile compounds are commonly chamazulene (formed during distillation from matricine), camphor, 1,8-cineole, and beta-pinene. Yarrow has been used historically for wound-healing (its specific epithet honours Achilles), digestive complaints, fevers, and menstrual disorders, and remains an officially recognised herbal medicine in European pharmacopoeias.

Evidence for 4 uses

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Functional dyspepsia

Limited

The European Medicines Agency herbal monograph recognises yarrow for the symptomatic treatment of mild dyspeptic complaints based on long-standing traditional use and limited clinical evidence. Bitter and aromatic constituents are thought to stimulate gastric and biliary secretions.

Topical wound healing and skin inflammation

Limited

Traditional topical use of yarrow for minor wounds, cuts, and skin inflammation is supported by small clinical and animal studies showing astringent, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Robust modern RCTs are limited.

Menstrual cramping

Limited

Yarrow has historical use as an antispasmodic for menstrual discomfort, and small clinical trials in primary dysmenorrhoea report symptom reductions. Evidence is preliminary, and yarrow should not be used during pregnancy.

Cold and fever (traditional use)

Mixed

Yarrow is traditionally used to promote sweating in feverish illness and as part of herbal cold-and-flu blends. Modern controlled evidence for these uses is lacking.

Dosage

There is no established supplemental dose for yarrow. The European Medicines Agency herbal monograph recommends 1.5-4 g of dried herb as an infusion up to three times daily for dyspeptic complaints, and a comparable dose as a sitz bath for skin and pelvic symptoms. Capsulated standardised extracts are typically dosed at 250-500 mg two to three times daily. Tinctures (1:5 in 25-45% ethanol) are dosed at 1-4 mL three times daily.

Safety

Yarrow is generally well tolerated at recommended doses. The most common adverse effects are allergic contact dermatitis and, less commonly, photosensitivity; cross-reactivity with other Asteraceae plants (ragweed, chamomile, chrysanthemum) is reported. Yarrow essential oil contains thujone in some chemotypes and should not be used internally in concentrated form. Theoretical interactions with anticoagulants, antihypertensives, antidiabetic drugs, and lithium have been suggested but are not clinically well documented. Yarrow is contraindicated in pregnancy because of historical use as an emmenagogue and possible uterine effects; use during lactation is also not recommended. Long-term high-dose use is not advised given thujone-related concerns.

References

  • Wikidata: Achillea millefolium (Q25408) — Wikidata link
  • EMA Community herbal monograph: Achillea millefolium — EMA link
  • NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database: Yarrow — DSLD link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.