Yarrow: Benefits, Uses and Precautions

Dr. Boris Wydoff

Common yarrow is a perennial herb with finely divided, feathery leaves and clusters of small white flowers. Herbal medicine reference books describe its traditional use as a remedy for bleeding, inflammation, spasms and digestive complaints. I'll explain the benefits of yarrow, its traditional medicinal properties, what is known about its composition, how to use and harvest it, and what precautions to keep in mind.

What Is This Herb and How Can You Identify It?

Common yarrow, or Achillea millefolium, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the daisy family (Asteraceae). Mature plants usually grow to a height of 20 to 100 cm. The rhizome is long, thin and creeping. The basal leaves are large, stalked and up to 15 cm long, with numerous fine, feathery divisions. This distinctive leaf shape is what gives the plant its common name in Russian. The stem leaves are smaller, sessile and also deeply divided.

The small flower heads are grouped into dense, flat-topped clusters. The outer flowers are white, less often pale pink, while the central flowers are tubular. In summer, yarrow is easy to recognize by its feathery foliage and dense, flat flower clusters. Different sources give its flowering season as late May through the end of summer, while in some regions it flowers from June to October.

Yarrow grows in dry meadows, river valleys, woodland edges, along roadsides, at field margins and on vacant land. Older guides emphasized that plants collected in dry, sunny locations were considered better quality than those from damp, shady places. The plant has many folk names, including soldier's herb, cut herb, wound herb and bloodwort. These names reflect its long-standing reputation as a remedy for wounds. According to legend, the Latin name Achillea honors Achilles, who used the herb to help heal wounds.

How to Tell It Apart from Similar Species

Field guides often mention sneezewort, or European sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica), alongside common yarrow. Sneezewort has larger ray flowers and narrow, undivided leaves, whereas common yarrow has leaves divided into numerous fine segments. Sneezewort is found mainly in damp places, including marshes, wet meadows and areas near streams. In all these similar species, small flower heads are grouped into dense clusters that can look like individual large flowers from a distance. Older guides also describe using the young leaves of similar species in the same way as common yarrow.

History and Pharmaceutical Names

Older surveys in Belarus classified yarrow as a plant known to almost everyone. It was collected in southern districts and supplied to pharmacies or sold to herb buyers. In pharmaceutical reference books, the raw material was listed as yarrow herb — Herba Millefolii, less often as yarrow leaves — Folium Millefolii, and flower heads — Flores Millefolii. Some sources also used the names Flores seu Summitates Millefolii for the flowers or flowering tops. An extract was also prepared. Older descriptions of its composition mention achillein (Achilleinum, C20H38N2O15) and aconitic acid (Acidum aconiticum, C6H6O6).

Common Yarrow: Benefits, Medicinal Properties and What It Is Traditionally Used For

According to herbal medicine reference books, yarrow has a varied chemical composition. Its herb, leaves and flower heads contain essential oil, tannins, bitter compounds, flavonoids, vitamins C and K, carotene, choline, organic acids, resins, phytoncides and mineral salts. Chamazulene, which gives the essential oil its bluish color, can be isolated from it. Older pharmaceutical descriptions also mention achillein and aconitic acid among its constituents.

When discussing what yarrow is used to treat, it is important to distinguish traditional herbal use from proven treatment effectiveness. Herbal medicine literature primarily associates its medicinal properties with hemostatic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and digestive effects. This does not mean the herb can cure diseases on its own or replace prescribed medication.

Its main traditional uses can be divided according to the body systems involved.

Hemostatic Action

The proposed mechanism involves an increase in platelet count and a shorter time needed to stop bleeding. Yarrow preparations activate the action of fibrin but, according to specialist observations, do not lead to blood clot formation. Its effect on blood clotting is moderate and is mainly seen with prolonged use. For this reason, infusions and liquid extracts have traditionally been used for gastrointestinal, hemorrhoidal, uterine, pulmonary, nasal and wound-related bleeding. Externally, the infusion is often used to rinse wounds, while dressings soaked in liquid extract are applied to cuts and ulcers.

Digestion

The bitter taste of achillein stimulates the endings of the taste nerves and increases gastric juice production. This explains why yarrow has traditionally been used as an aromatic bitter to improve appetite. The herb may also help reduce flatulence. Flavonoids and essential oil have an antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscles of the intestines, bile ducts and urinary tract. As a result, the bile ducts widen, bile secretion into the duodenum increases and urine production rises. This is why yarrow was traditionally included in herbal blends for gastritis, bloating and spasmodic abdominal discomfort.

Anti-Inflammatory and Wound-Healing Action

Tannins, essential oil and chamazulene are associated with anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, antiallergic and wound-healing properties. For this reason, yarrow was often combined with chamomile, calendula, plantain and mint. According to reference books, these combinations enhanced the anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects and helped reduce pain, belching and flatulence.

Women's Health

Older accounts describe using the herb for heavy menstrual bleeding and inflammatory conditions, sometimes together with stinging nettle in a 1:1 ratio. Older herbal prescriptions recommended this combination for uterine bleeding associated with fibroids, inflammatory processes and endocrine disorders. Some authors note that yarrow increases uterine muscle contractions. This is precisely why the plant is not recommended during pregnancy in modern practice.

Other Traditional Uses

In folk medicine, yarrow decoctions and infusions are mentioned for cystitis, liver conditions, colds, nervous system disorders, high blood pressure and diabetes. Reviews of folk medicine also mention dysentery, anemia, headaches, pulmonary tuberculosis, shortness of breath and cough. It was usually used as part of herbal blends rather than on its own. For example, one traditional description for high blood pressure recommends mixing 2 tablespoons of yarrow flowers with 1 tablespoon of centaury, pouring a glass of boiled water over the mixture, covering it tightly and drinking it instead of water. This is a folk remedy description, not a substitute for medical blood pressure management.

For liver conditions, yarrow was combined with immortelle. For colds, it was mixed with wild strawberry and St. John's wort. For nervous system disorders, it was combined with St. John's wort, clover and lingonberry. Descriptions of remedies for heart conditions include a motherwort and yarrow decoction with honey. For cystitis, herbal blends with calendula, chamomile, lingonberry, St. John's wort and speedwell were described. These are examples of traditional combinations, not ready-made medical prescriptions.

How to Take It Internally and Use It Externally

Internally, yarrow is used as an infusion, decoction or liquid extract. Externally, it is used as an infusion, liquid extract or fresh crushed leaves.

For minor cuts, fresh leaves are crushed between the fingers and placed on the wound. Older folk advice also mentions this method for nosebleeds. For more significant skin injuries, dressings soaked in liquid extract are used, or the wound is rinsed with an infusion. This traditional use is based on the herb's anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties.

In the past, fresh yarrow juice was added to the juices of other plants as part of spring cleansing treatments. Modern evidence for this method is limited, so it should be approached with caution rather than turned into a homemade treatment course.

Young leaves were also used as food: they were added to cottage cheese, butter, soups and salads as a leafy vegetable. The herb has a distinctive taste associated with its aromatic essential oils. The literature also mentions a vitamin tea made from equal parts peppermint, chamomile, thyme, yarrow, strawberry leaves, raspberry leaves, currant leaves, rowan berries and currants.

Salad and Fresh Greens

One salad recipe uses 100 g of sauerkraut, 25 g of green onions, 5 g of young yarrow leaves, 10 g of vegetable oil and spices to taste. Add the chopped onion and young leaves to the prepared cabbage. Yarrow was sometimes combined with nettle, coltsfoot and horsetail spores in wild greens mixtures. However, such mixtures were recommended in small amounts because wild herbs can be pungent and astringent, and many have a bitter taste.

How to Prepare Yarrow Properly

An infusion is the easiest preparation method. Herbal medicine reference books give the following standard method for blends containing yarrow: pour a glass of boiling water over 1–2 tablespoons of the herbal mixture, simmer in a water bath for 5–10 minutes, leave to steep for 45 minutes and strain. The traditional instructions recommend taking one-third of a glass 3 times a day after meals. If yarrow is part of a complex herbal blend, a doctor or pharmacist should advise on the dosage and duration, because the proportions vary between different traditional prescriptions.

An older decoction recipe combines the rhizomes and roots of rough gentian, yarrow herb and lesser centaury herb in a ratio of 1:1:1. Pour three glasses of cold water over three teaspoons of this mixture and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Such preparations require a specific indication and are not suitable for casual self-treatment.

Do not increase the dose. One reference book notes that prolonged use and large doses of yarrow preparations may cause dizziness, heartburn and skin rashes. A short course, moderate doses and attention to your body's response are therefore preferable to prolonged experimentation.

How to Harvest and Store Yarrow Without Losing Its Benefits

Yarrow herb is harvested from June through the first half of August. Cut the flowering tops with leaves, up to 15 cm long. Leaves and flower heads can also be collected separately. Older guides recommend choosing plants from dry, sunny locations because this raw material is considered better quality. Plants with pink flowers should not be collected.

According to older reference books, flower heads and leaves are dried separately. After drying, the leaves retain a faint, somewhat unpleasant aroma and a salty, astringent, slightly bitter taste. The flowers have a stronger but less unpleasant smell and a more bitter, astringent and spicy taste. The moisture content of the finished raw material should not exceed 13%. Store the herb in a dry place, away from strong odors. There is no need to make large supplies, as plant material loses quality over time.

Quality Standards in Older Regulations

Older medicinal raw material standards allowed the following for yarrow leaves: moisture content no higher than 13%; other parts of the yarrow plant no more than 3%; crushed particles passing through a sieve with 2 mm openings no more than 3%; organic impurities no more than 1%; and mineral impurities no more than 0.5%. For flowers, the standards were: moisture content no higher than 13%; other parts of the yarrow plant no more than 5%, including leaves no more than 0.5%; flower heads in the clusters no more than 1%; crushed particles passing through a 1 mm sieve no more than 3%; organic impurities no more than 0.5%; and mineral impurities no more than 1%.

How to Find Common Yarrow Abroad

If you are looking for common yarrow in the United States or Europe, check not only the translated name but also the plant's Latin name.

• United States: yarrow or common yarrow
• Germany: Schafgarbe or Gemeine Schafgarbe
• France: achillée millefeuille
• Latin: *Achillea millefolium L.*

Look specifically for the aerial parts of the herb with flowering tops: leaves, stems and flowering parts (herba, Schafgarbenkraut, sommités fleuries). The plant is sold in several forms:

• dried herb or loose flowering tops;
• tea bags;
• liquid extracts and tinctures;
• capsules.

Do not substitute products labeled "root," "fruit" or "seeds."

Where to look:

• in the United States — herb shops, natural food stores and online retailers;
• in Germany — Apotheke, Reformhaus and online retailers;
• in France — pharmacie, herboristerie and online retailers.

Check the packaging for *Achillea millefolium*, the part of the plant used and the type of product: herbal tea or a product with medicinal labeling. Organic certification does not automatically mean that a product has medicinal status. Sales regulations and classifications vary by country. For example, in the United States, supplements are regulated but do not undergo prior FDA approval for safety and effectiveness.

Yarrow: Benefits and Risks, Contraindications and Precautions

Contraindications are based on both older and modern information. So when weighing the benefits and risks of yarrow, it is important to consider not only its traditional medicinal properties but also the limitations of its use.

First, allergies to the daisy family (Asteraceae). Do not use the plant if you have a known sensitivity to ragweed, chamomile, chrysanthemums, calendula or arnica. Contact dermatitis is also possible, causing itching, redness and a rash after touching the plant or using preparations made from it. If you develop hives, swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing, stop using it and seek emergency medical help.

Second, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Its safety during these periods has not been established. Modern reference books do not recommend taking yarrow preparations internally during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The plant was historically believed to stimulate menstrual bleeding, but this has not been clinically proven. Older herbal books, on the other hand, mention that it may increase breast milk production in nursing women. However, there is not enough safety data today, so it is best to avoid using it while breastfeeding.

Third, childhood. Safety and appropriate dosages have not been adequately studied in children under 12. Do not give a child yarrow tea, infusion, tincture or extract without a pediatrician's recommendation.

One herbal medicine reference book uses particularly strong wording: yarrows are poisonous, and prolonged use or large doses can cause dizziness, heartburn and skin rashes. Modern sources do not classify the herb as an ordinarily toxic plant when used at recommended doses, but they do emphasize the lack of long-term safety data. A course should therefore be short, with moderate doses.

Do not use the plant as a substitute for medical care if you have unexplained bleeding, persistent pain, fever, worsening symptoms or a suspected infection. If you regularly take several medications, consultation with a doctor or pharmacist is essential. There are few reliably confirmed clinically significant interactions involving yarrow, but the available data are still limited, so experimenting on your own while taking regular medication is not appropriate.

When to See a Doctor

See a doctor if bleeding has no obvious cause, does not stop, or is accompanied by pain, weakness or a fever. These may be symptoms of a condition that requires medical diagnosis.

Consult a doctor before starting to use yarrow if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 12 years old or allergic to plants in the daisy family. If you have chronic gastrointestinal, liver, kidney or cardiovascular conditions, or if you take prescription medications, discuss the use of this herb with your doctor first. Yarrow does not replace prescribed treatment.

Boris Wydoff — naturopath and author, Ph.D. in nutrition. For over fifty years I have helped people restore health through nutrition, cleansing and the power of the mind — in Europe, America and Asia. About the author →

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