Yarrow
Achillea millefoliumIts Latin name, Achillea, comes from Achilles, who in legend treated his wounded soldiers with it.
What is Yarrow?
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a plant of the Asteraceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean, North America. Part used: flowering aerial parts.
What is Yarrow used for?
Traditional use: Crushed and applied to cuts to stop bleeding; brewed for the stomach and period pain. Scientific evidence: traditional. The EMA recognises yarrow for loss of appetite, indigestion, period pain and small wounds as traditional uses.
Is Yarrow safe?
Safety label: caution. Can cause allergy in people allergic to the daisy family. Not for use in pregnancy.
Traditional use
Crushed and applied to cuts to stop bleeding; brewed for the stomach and period pain.
Many Indigenous peoples use the leaf for wounds, toothache and fever.
In nature
Mix-up risk
Its white umbrella flowers can recall deadly poison hemlock. Yarrow leaves are finely divided like feathers and the plant is hairy.
Preparation
Flowering stems are steeped; fresh leaves are crushed onto wounds.
What science says
The EMA recognises yarrow for loss of appetite, indigestion, period pain and small wounds as traditional uses. Human studies are few.
Safety
Can cause allergy in people allergic to the daisy family. Not for use in pregnancy.
Drug interactions
| Medicine or substance | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Blood thinners | May increase bleeding risk. |
| Blood pressure medicines and sedatives | May increase the effect. |
| Lithium | Its diuretic effect may raise lithium levels. |
This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying Yarrow.
Similar plants
Sources
- EMA monographMillefolii herba: European Medicines Agency herbal assessment
- ResearchAchillea millefolium: farmakognozi, fitokimya ve farmakoloji (derleme)
- BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 2. baskı. İstanbul: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 1999.
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Achillea millefolium
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe