BENEFITS OF YARROW
✓ Relieves menstrual pain
✓ Regulates the menstrual cycle and flow
✓ Relieves digestive issues
✓ Protects the liver
✓ Improves venous disorders
What is yarrow?
Yarrow takes its common name from the Latin Achillea millefolium in reference to Achilles, a legendary hero of the Trojan War. According to the legend told in the Natural History of Pliny the Elder, he is said to have used the plant to treat his wounds and help them heal.
Its hemostatic action (which allows the stopping of bleeding) has earned it many nicknames such as “herb for cuts”, “bloodletting herb”, or “nose-bleed”.
Yarrow belongs to the Asteraceae family, which includes a multitude of herbaceous plants such as wormwood, chamomile, dandelion, and chicory. The genus Achillea comprises 13 different species, the best known of which is Achillea millefolium.
In the wild, the plant grows in the temperate regions of Europe and Asia, as well as North and South America. It is commonly found along roadsides, in meadows, and in rather dry habitats.
L’achillée peut mesurer jusqu’à 80 cm de hauteur et possède une multitude de feuilles découpées (d’où son nom latin « millefolium » qui signifie « aux milles feuilles »). Entre juin et septembre, elle produit de petites « fleurs » blanches, appelées capitules, au cœur jaune.
Today, common yarrow is also cultivated in gardens for its beauty and medicinal properties. The leaves and flowering tops contain the highest concentration of active compounds and are used in phytotherapy.
Yarrow is offered as a dietary supplement in the form of capsules, powder, dried aerial parts, or mother tincture. The plant is mainly recommended to relieve women’s health issues, venous and liver problems, and digestive disorders.
Nutritional composition
- Minéraux et oligo-éléments : phosphore, potassium
- Sesquiterpènes : guaianolides, germacranolides, eudesmanolides
- Flavonoïdes : lutéolol, apigénine, quercétine, rutine, vitexine, vicénine…
- Alcaloïdes : bétonicine, achilléine, choline, stachydrine, homostachydrine
- Alkamides
- Tanins
- Acides : acides ascorbiques, caféiques, foliques, salicyliques, succiniques
- Coumarines
- Huiles essentielles : eucalyptol, azulène, camphre, chamazulène
- Composés amers : lactones sesquiterpéniques
- Résine
The benefits of yarrow
🌺 Relieves menstrual pain
Along with lady’s mantle and chaste tree, common yarrow is one of the most useful plants for relieving menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea. Because of its emmenagogue action (stimulates blood flow), its blood-flow-enhancing and antispasmodic effects help facilitate menstrual flow and prevent uterine cramps.
This action is due to flavonoids and primarily to luteolol. In addition to being antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, this compound is antispasmodic and analgesic. It particularly acts on pelvic pain felt in the lower abdomen.
It may be recommended especially for women suffering from endometriosis.
This study from the Islamic Azad University (Iran), conducted on women suffering from primary dysmenorrhea, shows how yarrow helped relieve pain.
🌺 Regulates the menstrual cycle and flow
Yarrow is also a regulating plant for the menstrual cycle and menstrual flow. It can notably be used to treat female disorders related to hormonal imbalance such as amenorrhea (absence of menstruation). Because it stimulates blood circulation and relieves congestion in the uterus, yarrow helps bring on menstruation.
In general, this plant is recommended for all menstrual disorders : metrorrhagia (bleeding outside the menstrual period), very heavy periods, cycle irregularity… Indeed, it contains flavonoids that act as hormonal regulators.
an effect on the liver, responsible for recycling estrogens. When produced in excess, these hormones are responsible for irregular menstrual cycles, painful or heavy periods, premenstrual symptoms, fibroids and ovarian cysts. By acting against excess estrogens, yarrow helps rebalance the female hormonal cycle and prevents menstrual disorders.
This review from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport (United States) highlights the potential of yarrow in the treatment of menorrhagia and menstrual disorders.
♻️ Relieves digestive issues
L’achillée millefeuille est une plante précieuse pour la sphère digestive. De nombreuses études ont mis en évidence son efficacité pour soulager les digestions difficiles, les maux de ventre, les spasmes digestifs, les ballonnements et les affections gastro-intestinales en général.
La plante contient des composés amers qui, en plus de stimuler l’appétit, accroissent la production de bile chargée de la digestion des aliments. L’achillée est donc une plante cholérétique. De plus, son action antispasmodique, due aux flavonoïdes et à l’azulène, soulage les spasmes au niveau du côlon et de l’estomac, et favorise un meilleur confort intestinal.
Cette étude de l’université de Calgary (Canada), menée sur des rats, montre que l’achillée millefeuille protège efficacement la muqueuse gastrique.
Cette autre étude de l’université fédérale du Paraná (Brésil), également menée sur des rats, s’est intéressée au potentiel anti-ulcère des parties aériennes de l’achillée.
Enfin, cette autre étude de l’université de Vienne (Autriche) montre comment l’achillée a stimulé la production de bile chez les rats.
💎 Protects the liver
Yarrow is a major protector of the liver. It is particularly indicated to relieve hepatic congestion that occurs after overeating or alcohol abuse. Because of its anti-inflammatory action, yarrow is also useful in hepatitis (acute or chronic inflammation of the liver) or liver failure.
Finally, yarrow exerts a hepatoprotective effect and shows strong anti-hepatotoxic activity. It thus protects the liver from various toxic agents, notably damage induced by D-galactosamine.
This study from Ziauddin Medical University (Pakistan), conducted on mice, demonstrates the hepatoprotective activities of yarrow.
🔺 Improves venous disorders
Because of its anti-inflammatory and blood-thinning action, yarrow is recommended to relieve varicose veins, phlebitis (inflammation of the veins), and venous insufficiency. Indeed, it improves venous return and blood circulation through capillaries and venules.
As a result, yarrow also relieves hemorrhoids, related to inflammation and excessive dilation of the hemorrhoidal veins.
Further studies are still needed to assess the effectiveness of yarrow in improving venous disorders.
How to consume yarrow?
Yarrow in tablet form
Tablets or yarrow capsules are easy to find in health food and specialty stores or online. They contain the aerial parts of the plant (leaves and/or flowering tops) ground into powder.
Preferably choose capsules 100% natural and/or certified organic, GMO-free, excipient-free, preservative-free and non-ionized.
Yarrow powder
Yarrow powder is obtained after harvesting, drying and grinding the aerial parts of the plant. It mixes easily with water, milk or fruit juice, and can even be sprinkled on salads or incorporated into desserts.
Be aware, however, that yarrow powder has a very aromatic and bitter taste.
Yarrow mother tincture
Yarrow mother tincture is obtained by hydroalcoholic extraction of the whole plant or only the flowering tops. Rich in active compounds, it dilutes easily in water or fruit juice.
Because it contains a lot of alcohol (about 60%), this form is not recommended for pregnant women, children, or people suffering from certain medical conditions. Preferably choose an organic-certified mother tincture with guaranteed plant traceability.
The flowering tops and dried leaves of yarrow
It is possible to find yarrow leaves and flowering tops sold loose or in sachets. This form is mainly used to make infusions using 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried leaves and/or flowering tops in 150 ml of water. Let steep for 5 to 10 minutes, then add a teaspoon of honey or sugar to cut the bitter taste of yarrow.
Prefer plants grown according to organic farming principles to avoid pesticide residues and other chemicals.
Yarrow and medicinal plants
Yarrow pairs very well with other key herbs for women such as lady’s mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris), chaste tree (Vitex agnus castus), evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) or the maca (Lepidium meyenii).
Yarrow dosage
⚖️ It is generally recommended not to consume more than 3 g of yarrow per day.
⏳ Doses should be taken between meals and several times throughout the day.
⏳ Yarrow is mainly taken as maintenance for just a few days. Indeed, it is a photosensitizing plant that can cause skin reactions in some people. Therefore, it is advised not to exceed a 15-day course.
💊 In tablets: up to 5 per day for 240 mg capsules.
🥄 In powder : up to 3 g per day.
🧪 In mother tincture : 30 drops, twice a day.
🍵 As an infusion : 3 cups per day.
Contraindications and side effects
Yarrow has certain contraindications and its consumption is not recommended for the following people :
- Par mesure de précaution, les jeunes enfants, les femmes enceintes ou allaitantes doivent éviter de prendre de l’achillée.
- Elle peut interagir avec l’action des fluidifiants sanguins (anticoagulants), des médicaments hypotenseurs et des antiplaquettaires.
- La consommation d’achillée est déconseillée aux personnes allergiques aux plantes de la famille des Astéracées (pissenlit, camomille…).
- En raison de son action sur les hormones, l’achillée est déconseillée chez les femmes ayant des antécédents de cancer du sein.
Its use causes few side effects and is generally well tolerated. In case of an allergy or doses that are too high or taken for too long, skin reactions may occur.
If you experience side effects, stop taking it and consult a doctor.
History, cultivation and market of yarrow
A very ancient medicinal plant
Yarrow is certainly one of the oldest medicinal plants. According to the review by Tehran University of Medical Sciences, the plant has been used since antiquity.
Because it is widespread worldwide, yarrow serves as a traditional remedy for many local populations. Thus, there are ancient traces of its use in Turkey, New Mexico, and also in Asia Minor.
According to legend, it was also used to heal the wounds of warriors and soldiers. During World War I, it was part of the first aid kit carried by some soldiers. It was then used to stop bleeding and speed up healing. A power that earned it the nickname “the soldiers’ herb”.
Report by Julia Perez and Charlotte Jean
Sources and scientific studies
Ensiyeh Jenabi, Bita Fereidoony, 2015. Effect of Achillea Millefolium on Relief of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.
Anna B. Livdans-Forret, Phyllis J. Harvey, and Susan M. Larkin-Thier, 2007. Menorrhagia: A synopsis of management focusing on herbal and nutritional supplements, and chiropractic.
Cristiane Hatsuko Baggio, Paulo Fernando Nhaducue, Cristina Setim Freitas, Lia Rieck, 2002. Action of crude aqueous extract of leaves of Achillea millefolium L. (Compositae) on gastrointestinal tract.
Cavalcanti AM, Baggio CH, Freitas CS, Rieck L, de Sousa RS, Da Silva-Santos JE, Mesia-Vela S, Marques MC, 2006. Safety and antiulcer efficacy studies of Achillea millefolium L. after chronic treatment in Wistar rats.
Benedek B1, Geisz N, Jäger W, Thalhammer T, Kopp B, 2006. Choleretic effects of yarrow (Achillea millefolium s.l.) in the isolated perfused rat liver.
Yaeesh S, Jamal Q, Khan AU, Gilani AH, 2006. Studies on hepatoprotective, antispasmodic and calcium antagonist activities of the aqueous-methanol extract of Achillea millefolium.
S. Saeidnia, AR. Gohari, N. Mokhber-Dezfuli, and F. Kiuchi, 2011. A review on phytochemistry and medicinal properties of the genus Achillea.
