Ancient Medicine Herb Report: Yarrow

Yarrow: Achillea Millefolium L.

We use the aerial parts (parts of a plant that grow above ground) collected during the flowering period.

It has a long history of use for wound healing, made in to salves by healers in many regions of the Northern hemisphere. Therefore, you can find literature on it from healers in North America, Europe and Asia; although most studies were found in Europe and North America, and less widely used in Asia.

The herb itself is anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and

hemostatic (stops bleeding).

The active constituents are terpenoids which are chains of carbon molecules put together that give a plant its smell, as well as well as its anti-pest effect which usually makes it anti-microbial in the US.

Traditional herbal use in western medicine is for fever management, the common cold, controls excess bleeding, diarrhea, and menstrual problems.

Reactions to yarrow are very rare, but a few patients do still have allergens to yarrow especially those with known reactions to fever.

Most clinical trials are on animals. However this herb has a rich history of use on humans and is in a lot of ancient text. We do not have modern study guidelines yet.

Uses:

1. Wound Healing (hemostasis) stops bleeding, promotes the wound closing and clotting.

In the old text it was called the “Herba Militaris” – Herb of the military, used on

battlefields to treat wounds. We do have animal studies as well as historical documents

to show this actually works. Can be used in baths or as a compress for slow healing,

although it is essential that a wound is cleaned properly (otherwise it can seal in

infection).

2. Anti-inflammatory – It actually works by COX inhibition (COX 2 triggers pain, swelling and fever when injured) and prostaglandin E2 suppression (triggers, inflammation, fever). It is important to note that prostaglandins do activate labor, so yarrow is not advised in pregnancy as it can stall labor. Although large doses would be needed to achieve this. 

3. Gastrointestinal – Works for gastritis (stomach inflammation), gastric pain, and

spasmodic GI complaints, and is used in Europe for loss of appetite. All of the studies

have been done with the patient taking the herb orally.

4. Hepatobilliary – Traditionally used for Hepatitis and jaundice but studies on this are

weaker and less commonly used.

Summary: the herb can be used in lots of remedies where chronic inflammation is present internally to help bring relief and long-term healing.

How to use it: Dosage is around 15 to 40mL/week (1:2 liquid) or 1-2 grams per day, topically. Please remember that while most herbs are safe, getting individualized dosing from a trained professional (such as an herbalist or functional medicine provider) is essential.

The liquid dosage stated above is preserved in alcohol and as in all herbalist remedies, it is below a teratogenic effect (meaning it is a small amount not that will not cause birth defects). If a patient is allergic to small amounts of preservation alcohol, an herbalist may need to provide a different type of dosing.