Yarrow

Yarrow

Gabrielle Forrester |

Latin Name: Achillea millefolium
Family: Asteraceae

Part used: Whole herb.
Energetics: Sweet, bitter, astringent.
Iris: Hematogenic, Mixed.
Interactions:  Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

  • Allergic hypersensitivity.
  • Allergy to Asteraceae (daisy) family
  • Pregnancy and Nursing
  • Prolonged use may lead to photosensitivity
  • Large doses may cause headaches.

ACTIONS

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Analgesic
  • Antispasmodic
  • Diaphoretic
  • Haemostatic
  • Anti-pyretic
  • Anti-rheumatic
  • Bitter
  • Diuretic
  • Urinary antiseptic
  • Hypotensive
  • Carminative
  • Peripheral vasodilator
  • Cholagogue
  • Digestive tonic
  • Vulnerary

Main Constituents

  • Flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, quercetin)
  • Volatile oil (azulene, borneol, camphor, linalool, pinene, thujone)
  • Sesquiterpene lactones
  • Sterols
  • Bitters
  • Alkaloidal achillein
  • Inulin
  • Rutin
  • Tannins
  • Salicylic acid
  • Amino acids (lysine)
  • Potassium 48%
  • Minerals: Ca, Mg, Fe, P, Si
  • Vitamins: A, C, E
  • Folic acid

Main Uses

Used internally and externally for a wide range of conditions
Digestive System: Biliary colic, Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Stomach cramps
Infections:
Bacteria: Acinetobacter woffii, Bacillus subtilis, Clostridium, E. coli, Klebsiella, Mycobacterium smegmatis / tuberculosis, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Shigella flaxneri / sonnei, Staphylococcus aureus.
Fungi: Aspergillus, Candida
Viruses: HIV, Paramyxovirus, Varicella.
Integumentary System: Dry skin
Circulatory System: Nosebleeds, Haemorrhage of any mucosal surface, High blood pressure with thrombosis, Toning of veins and for preventing blood clots
Endocrine System: Absent perspiration, Obstructed menstruation, non-specific vaginal discharge
Immune System: For temperature reduction in the early stages of fever, influenza, common cold

More About Yarrow

Yarrow is useful for all digestive problems- it is a tonic astringent which stops both intestinal and genital mucous discharges. It aids the liver and supports the stomach, by stimulating the appetite and increasing the absorption of nutrients. It can calm wind, spasm, IBS and indigestion.
It has been used by Herbalists throughout history as a wound remedy. The tannins and silica in Yarrow promote tissue repair in cases of gingivitis, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, cuts and wounds.
It helps to bring on a fever, promotes cleansing and elimination through the kidneys and supports the nerves in neuralgic complaints.
It is a nerve relaxant and vascular spasms are relieved through its achillein content. It assists spasmodic dysmenorrhoea with painful periods, which can bring relief in all types of premenstrual syndromes.
It is a universal regulator of female reproductive functions from pre puberty to post menopause. Yarrow achieves this through its regulating effect on the uterus, blood and circulation. As a uterine stimulant it relieves delayed, painful menses with swollen breasts. As an astringent tonic and uterine decongestant, Yarrow enlivens and thins the venous return and also relieves uterine and pelvic blood congestion.
It assists spasmodic dysmenorrhoea with painful periods, which can bring relief in all types of premenstrual syndromes.
Yarrow is a useful diuretic and can help an irritable bladder and clear fluid retention.
It can be used as an infusion, dilute tincture, vaginal douche, eye bath, skin lotion and mouthwash.

Recipes: 


Yarrow Salve

Ingredients:

  • Dried yarrow flowers and leaves
  • Beeswax
  • Carrier oil (e.g., olive oil, coconut oil, or almond oil)

Instructions:

  • Fill a clean, dry glass jar about halfway with dried yarrow flowers and leaves. The exact amount of yarrow will depend on the size of the jar.
  • Pour the carrier oil over the yarrow to completely cover it. Ensure there are no air bubbles.
  • Seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid.
  • Place the jar in a warm, sunny location, like a windowsill, for about 2-4 weeks. This allows the oil to become infused with the properties of the yarrow. Shake it gently every day or as often as you remember.
  • After the infusion period, strain the oil to remove the yarrow plant material. You can use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
  • Transfer the infused oil to a clean, dry glass jar.
  • To make the salve, you'll need to add beeswax to the infused oil. The amount of beeswax can vary, but a common ratio is about 1 part beeswax to 4 parts infused oil. Melt the beeswax in a double boiler and stir in the infused oil until well combined. Adjust the ratio of beeswax and oil to achieve the desired consistency for your salve.
  • Pour the mixture into small, clean containers or tins and allow it to cool and solidify.
  • Label the containers with the date of preparation.

Usage:
Apply the yarrow salve topically to minor cuts, wounds, insect bites, or skin irritations for soothing and healing properties.

Yarrow Tea

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 teaspoons of dried yarrow flowers and leaves
  • 1 cup of boiling water

Instructions:

  • Place the dried yarrow flowers and leaves in a cup.
  • Boil water and pour it over the dried yarrow.
  • Cover and steep for about 10-15 minutes.
  • Strain the tea to remove the plant material.
  • You can sweeten the tea with honey or add a slice of lemon for flavor, if desired.
  • Drink the yarrow tea while it's warm.

References


Anti-tumour

Yarrow supercritical extract exerts antitumoral properties by targeting lipid metabolism in pancreatic cancer
Our data suggest that Yarrow SFE can be proposed as a complementary adjuvant or nutritional supplement in pancreatic cancer therapy.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30913248/

Metabolic stress

Yarrow Supercritical Extract Ameliorates the Metabolic Stress in a Model of Obesity Induced by High-Fat Diet
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31888081/

Breastfeeding Nipple Fissures

Comparing the Effects of Yarrow, Honey, and Breast Milk for Healing Nipple Fissure
Use of honey, yarrow, and breast milk can be recommended to women in breastfeeding counseling and pharmaceutical companies can be advised to use honey and yarrow in the preparation of anti-fissure creams.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33014738/

Anti-babesial, Babesia infection

Anti-babesial potential and chemical composition of essential oil from yarrow Achillea millefolium
AEO was found to be active in vitro against B. canis, with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 0.06 mg/mL, as compared to imidocarb, with IC50 = 0.007 mg/mL. The study confirms that essential oil from A. millefolium has anti-babesial properties in vitro.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33847097/

Anti-inflammatory

The estimation of the traditionally used yarrow (Achillea millefolium L. Asteraceae) oil extracts with anti-inflammatory potential in topical application
The data obtained in the study showed that the oil yarrow extracts had an evident anti-inflammatory property. Namely, the investigated extracts demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effect in an in vivo double blind randomized study, using a sodium lauryl sulfate test. The skin parameters assessed in the study (skin capacitance, pH and EI) were restored to the basal values after three- and seven-day treatment with the tested extracts. The shown effects were attributed to yarrow oil extracts composition. The yarrow oil extracts might be used as promising base in the phytopreparations designed for dermatological application as anti-inflammatory agents with a positive impact on the skin pH and its moisture content.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28163113/

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