Yarrow Herb – Achillea millefolium (a herbal materia medica)

Family: Asteraceae

Latin names: Achillea millefolium

Common names: Yarrow, Milfoil, Thousand leaf, Soldier’s Wound-Wort, Nosebleed plant

Parts Used: Flowers and leaves; essential oil

Constituents: Volatile oil (α- and β-pinene, borneol, bornyl acetate, camphor, α-caryophyllene, 1,8, cineole); sesquiterpene lactones (achillicin, achillin, achillifolin, millifin, millifolide); tannins, flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, isorhamnetin, rutin); alkaloids (betonicine, stachydrine, achiceine, moschatine, trigonelline and others); phenolic acids (caffeic, salicylic); coumarins 1

Yarrow is a hardy flowering plant from the Aster family native to the Northern Hemisphere. Producing one to several stems, yarrow’s alternate leaves are largest near the bottom and middle of the stem. The flowers are arranged in flat top clusters with colours that range from light pink to white. There are approximately 31 species of yarrow. The information in this post pertains to Achillea millefolium specifically.

Yarrow has been used throughout history, mostly due to its astringent properties. Yarrow’s name (Achillea) is attributed to Greek legend about Achilles who was said to have used the plant to heal soldier’s wounds during the Trojan Wars. The use of yarrow in wartimes in is reflected in one of its common names – Soldier’s Wound-Wort.

Yarrow stalks have traditionally been used in many forms of divination. In the Chinese I Ching, an oracle would toss and then read yarrow sticks of varying lengths. It was said that Druids used yarrow stems as a method of weather prediction.

Due to its emmenagogue properties it is not recommended in pregnancy and lactation. Use with caution if you are taking oral contraceptives or any heart or blood pressure medications. Some cases of hypersensitivity to yarrow have been reported.1