Achillea, Yarrow

Milfoil, Millefolium
Brinjasif, Biranjaasif (Unani)
Al-Biranjaasf (Arabic)
Yang Shi Cao (TCM)

Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485

Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

‘Greater’ (left) and ‘Lesser’ (right) Yarrow
Della Materia Medicinale, Valuassori, 1562

Koehler’s Medizinal Pflanzen, 1887

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Botanical name:

Achillea millefolium

Parts used:

Herb in flower

Temperature & Taste:

Cool (some said Warm), dry. Bitter
“Cold and Moist in the First degree”. (Avicenna)

Classification:

2O. ASTRINGENTS.   2P. HEMOSTATICS.   2T. GLUTINATE
3A. SUDORIFICS & DIAPHORETICS

Uses:

1. Clears Wind-Heat, Resists Poison, Promotes Sweat:
-Fevers including Spotted and Intermittent; Fever with Chills; Typhoid Fever, Malaria
-promotes rashes in Measles, Small Pox, Chicken Pox
-Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Tuberculosis (auxiliary herb for these conditions)
–’some hold the Herb and the Flower for the great secret to preserve from, and cure the Plague’. (Schroder)

2. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis, Regulates Menstruation:
-painful and irregular Menstruation; Dysmenorrhea, Amenorrhea, Menorrhagia
-Menopausal disorders
-Wounds, Bruising, internal Injury
-Cerebral and Coronary Thrombosis
-prevents Thrombosis after stroke, heart attack or surgery
-Tumors and Cancers (Breast, Liver, Spleen, Genitals etc.)
-recommended before and after Cancer surgery to prevent Metastases
-“It is useful in Ulcers, expels Fetus and Placenta, opens the mouth of Uterus (Os Uteri) and removes its hardness when administered orally or applied in the form of a plaster”. (Avicenna)

3. Stops Leakage and Bleeding
-Diarrhea, Dysentery, Gonorrhea, Spermatorrhea, Leukorrhea
-stops Bleeding, good for Hemorrhage from the Nose, Bowels, Uterine Bleeding, Spitting of Blood etc.
–Menorrhagia (‘one of the best remedies’, King’s)
-Incontinence
-Diabetes, Brights disease (various incl. King’s)
-“It dissolves Kidney Stones”. (Avicenna)

4. Calms the Mind, Settles Wind, Stops Spasms:
–Headache, Migraine, Nervousness, Hysteria, Melancholy, Epilepsy, Cramps, Depression
-more recently for Hypertension

5. Benefits the Stomach:
–poor Appetite, stomach Cramps, Flatulence, Dyspepsia, Gastritis

6. Kills Worms.

7. Externally:
-Wounds, Tumors and Inflammations
-externally for Headaches, sore Eyes, blood nose, bleeding Wounds, Toothache
-topically to Hemorrhoids, Hernias, Hematomas
-in douches or to the lower abdomen for excess Menstruation, Leukorrhea; also in douches to tighten the Vagina
-“Sitting in its decoction helps in (regulating) menstruation”. (Avicenna)
-applied to venomous Bites, Tumors,
-mouth wash for Mouth Sores and Ulcers, rotten Gums etc.
-juice is applied to Warts
-hair wash for Dandruff
-“Inhalation of the vapours arising from its decoction gives relief in cases of Nasal Obstruction”. (Avicenna)
-in Baths for Rheumatism, Nervous disorders

Dose:

Infusion or Brief Decoction: 3–9 grams (up to 15 grains)
Powder: 1–3 grams
Used in Enemas, Douches, Baths, Washes, Plasters etc.

Corrective:

Aniseed

Substitute:

1. Camomile
2. Mugwort (Unani)
3. “It is a herb resembling Wormwood”. (Avicenna)

Main Combinations:

Burdock root & Yarrow

ACUTE DISEASES, FEVER, COUGH:
1. Cold or Flu:
i. from Wind-Heat, Yarrow with Elder flower, Peppermint
ii. with Cough, Yarrow with Thyme, Licorice
iii. with Sore Throat, Headache, Yarrow with Sage, Peppermint, Licorice
2. Cold, Flu with Sinus congestion:
i. Yarrow with Angelica
ii. Yarrow with Angelica, Elder flower, Eyebright
3. To promote Expression of Measles, Yarrow with Burdock root, Peppermint
4. Cough, Bronchitis:
i. Yarrow with Elecampane and Mullein
ii. Pectoral Lohoch: Yarrow, Ground Ivy (2 ½ oz. each), Hyssop, Bittersweet (1 oz. each), boiling water (3 pounds); Infuse 12 hours, then boil gently to half; express strongly, then add Honey (3 pounds) and Vinegar (1 pound), boil over a gentle fire to the consistency of Honey. (Dispensatorium Pharmaceuticum, 1777)
5. Recurring Fever, Yarrow with Wormwood, Gentian, Barberry, Licorice
6. Acute Inflammation, Yarrow with Peppermint and Elder flower

MIND, NERVES:
7. Anxiety and Nervousness related to Menstruation, Yarrow with Balm, Valerian
8. Depression related to Menstruation, Yarrow with Balm and St. Johns wort

GYNECOLOGY:
9. Amenorrhea:
i. Yarrow with Mugwort, Rue, Angelica
ii. Yarrow with Mugwort, Motherwort, Wild Thyme (Pharmacopee Usuelle, Louvain, 1821)
10. Menstrual pain:
i. Yarrow with Valerian and Hops
ii. Yarrow with Alder Buckthorn bark, Senna, Couch grass
11. Menstrual disorders, Yarrow, Camomile, Balm
12. Excessive Menstruation, Yarrow with Shepherd’s Purse, and Tormentil (Kroeber)
13. Pelvic Inflammation, Yarrow with Sage and Calendula
14. Leukorrhea, Yarrow with Archangel, Hounds Tongue and Red Sandalwood

GASTROINTESTINAL:
15. Stomach diseases:
i. Yarrow with Centaury
ii. Yarrow with Camomile, Peppermint
16. Gastritis, Yarrow with Wormwood, Gentian, Licorice

CIRCULATION, BLEEDING:
17. Hypertension:
i. Yarrow with Balm and Peppermint
ii. Yarrow with Mistletoe and Hawthorn
18. Bleeding:
i. Yarrow with Comfrey
ii. Yarrow with Plantain, Shepherd’s Purse
iii. Hemoptysis, Yarrow with Comfrey and Plantain
iv. Hemoptysis, Yarrow with Tormentil, Pimpinella saxifraga, Plantain, Golden Rod, Rose (equal parts). (Dispensatorium medico pharmaceuticum Palatinatus, 1764)
v. Hemostatic Powder: Fox Tail grass, Yarrow, Plantain leaf, Knotgrass leaf, Nettle leaf (1 handful each), water (3 pounds), boil to two-thirds (Memorial Pharmaceutique, 1824)
19. Hemorrhoids:
i. Yarrow, Plantain, Comfrey, topically
ii. Yarrow, Camomile, Calendula
iii. Yarrow with Pilewort, Cranesbill and Mullein as an infusion internally and topically.
20. Varicose veins, Yarrow with St. Johns wort and Arnica flower (or Calendula) internally and topically.
21. Coronary Thrombosis, with Nettle and Calendula

OTHER:
22. Astringent Powder: Yarrow with Tormential, Pimpinella Saxifrage, Plantain, Golden Rod, Rose (Dispensatorium medico pharmaceuticum Palatinatus, 1764)
23. Stones, Betony, Vervain, Yarrow (Pliny)
24. Vulnerary (for Wounds and Trauma):
i. Yarrow with Betony, Plantain, Sanicle, Mullein, Periwinkle, Pimpinella saxifraga, Oak leaf
ii. Yarrow with Betony, Marjoram, Vervain, Sanicle, Houseleek

Cautions:

1. Caution during Pregnancy, avoid full doses.
2. Large doses may cause Headache and Vertigo

Main Preparations used:

Juice, Syrup, Tincture, Distilled Water, Extract

1. Juice of Yarrow:
i. Take fresh yarrow, beat in a stone mortar, sprinkling with a little water; express strongly, set aside, decant, and preserve in bottles (usually with a layer of oil on top). (Dispensarium electorale Hassiacum, 1806)

2. Syrup of Yarrow:
i. Fresh Yarrow leaf (1 ½ pounds), Boiling Water (3 pounds). Infuse 12 hours, filter, and add White Sugar (twice its weight). Dose: ½–2 oz. (Pharmacopoeia Gallica, 1818)

3. Tincture of Yarrow:
Principally used for Piles, Menorrhagia, Nephritic pain. Dose: 50–70 drops.
i. Yarrow (3 oz.), Alcohol (16 oz.). Digest 3 days, express, and add Yarrow (2 oz.). Digest 3 more days, express, filter. (Dispensatorium medico pharmaceuticum Palatinatus, 1764)
ii. Yarrow (1 part), Alcohol (8 parts); digest for 8 days. (Dispensatorium Fuldense, 1791)

4. Distilled Water of Yarrow:
i. Flowering tops of Yarrow (2 pounds), Water (sufficient to distil 12 pounds). (Pharmacopoeia Hannoverana, 1819)
ii. Flowering tops of Yarrow (5 parts), Proof Spirit (one-quarter part), Pure Water (60 parts). Distil 20 parts. (Pharmacopee Usuelle, Louvain, 1821)

5. Water Extract of Yarrow:
i. Yarrow (1 pound), Water (12 pounds). Macerate 48 hours, strain, evaporate until there remains 2 pounds; strain again, evaporate in a water-bath, frequently stirring, until it thickens to the consistency for pills. (Pharmacopoeia Hannoverana, 1819)
ii. Yarrow (1 pound), Water (6 pounds). Macerate for 4 days in a warm place, boil gently; strain with expression, then evaporate to a proper consistency. (Dispensatorium Pharmaceuticum, 1777)

6. Alcoholic Extract of Yarrow:
i. Yarrow, cut small (2 pounds), Water (9 pounds), Alcohol (2 pounds). Digest 12 hours in a gentle heat, strain with expression. Set aside, then distil off the alcohol, and evaporate the residue to a proper consistency. (Pharmacopoeia regni Poloniae, 1817)

7. Oil of Yarrow:
i. Flowering tops of Yarrow (1 part), Water (3 parts). Digest, separate the oil. (Dispensatorium Fuldense, 1791)

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Pliny on Yarrow:
  ‘The myriophyllon, by our people known as the “mille folium ” has a tender stem, somewhat similar to fennel-giant in appearance, with vast numbers of leaves, to which circumstance it is indebted for its name. It grows in marshy localities, and is remarkably useful for the treatment of wounds. It is taken in vinegar for strangury, affections of the bladder, asthma, and falls with violence; it is extremely efficacious also for tooth-ache.
  ‘In Etruria, the same name is given to a small meadow-plant, provided with leaves at the sides, like hairs, and particularly useful for wounds. The people of that country say that, applied with axle-grease, it will knit together and unite the tendons of oxen, when they have been accidentally severed by the plough-share’. (The Natural History of Pliny, trans. by Bostock and Riley, Vol. 5, 1856)

GENERAL / REVIEW –Achillea millefolium L. s.l. revisited: recent findings confirm the traditional use. –Achillea spp.: A comprehensive review on its ethnobotany, phytochemistry, phytopharmacology and industrial applications. –Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties of Achillea millefolium L.: A Review. –Minireview on Achillea millefolium Linn. –Chemical composition and biological activity of the volatile extracts of Achillea millefolium. ANTIBACTERIAL –Chemical Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oil of Medicinal Plants from Eastern Serbia. –Phytochemical characterization of different yarrow species (Achillea sp.) and investigations into their antimicrobial activity. –Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oil of Achillea millefolium L. Grown in France. –Antibacterial activity of traditional medicinal plants used by Haudenosaunee peoples of New York State. –Antibacterial activities of essential oils and extracts of Turkish Achillea, Satureja and Thymus species against plant pathogenic bacteria. –Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Achillea millefolium subsp. millefolium Afan. (Asteraceae). CANDIDA –The effect of Achillea Millefolium L. on vulvovaginal candidiasis compared with clotrimazole: A randomized controlled trial. ANTIOXIDANT –Comparison of the Phenolic Compound Profile and Antioxidant Potential of Achillea atrata L. and Achillea millefolium L. –Analysis of Cytotoxicity of Selected Asteraceae Plant Extracts in Real Time, Their Antioxidant Properties and Polyphenolic Profile. –In vitro antioxidant and antibabesial activities of the extracts of Achillea millefolium. –Supercritical anti-solvent fractionation for improving antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of an Achillea millefolium L. extract. –Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oil of Achillea millefolium L. Grown in France. –Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Achillea millefolium subsp. millefolium Afan. (Asteraceae). ANTI-INFLAMMATORY –Supercritical anti-solvent fractionation for improving antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of an Achillea millefolium L. extract. –Achillea millefolium L. s.l. — is the anti-inflammatory activity mediated by protease inhibition? ANTIPYRETIC –Phytochemical screening and antipyretic effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of selected medicinal plants of Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir in albino rats. ANALGESIC –Antinociceptive peripheral effect of Achillea millefolium L. and Artemisia vulgaris L.: both plants known popularly by brand names of analgesic drugs. AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS –Effect of aqueous extract of Achillea millefolium on the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6 mice. SKIN DISORDERS –Achillea Species as Sources of Active Phytochemicals for Dermatological and Cosmetic Applications. –Anti-inflammatory Effects of Achillea millefolium on Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions in NC/Nga Mice. COSMETIC –Achillea Species as Sources of Active Phytochemicals for Dermatological and Cosmetic Applications. –Achillea millefolium L. and Achillea biebersteinii Afan. Hydroglycolic Extracts-Bioactive Ingredients for Cosmetic Use. BRONCHODILATORY –Blood pressure lowering, cardiovascular inhibitory and bronchodilatory actions of Achillea millefolium. ANTISPASMODIC –Antispasmodic effects of yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) extract in the isolated ileum of rat. –Investigation of the spasmolytic activity of the flavonoid fraction of Achillea millefolium s.l. on isolated guinea-pig ilea. –Studies on hepatoprotective, antispasmodic and calcium antagonist activities of the aqueous-methanol extract of Achillea millefolium. VASOPROTECTIVE –Vasoprotective activity of standardized Achillea millefolium extract. HEPATOPROTECTIVE –Studies on hepatoprotective, antispasmodic and calcium antagonist activities of the aqueous-methanol extract of Achillea millefolium. CHOLERETIC –Choleretic effects of yarrow (Achillea millefolium s.l.) in the isolated perfused rat liver. ANTIHYPERTENSIVE –Antihypertensive and vasorelaxant effect of leucodin and achillin isolated from Achillea millefolium through calcium channel blockade and NO production: In vivo, functional ex vivo and in silico studies. –Hypotensive mechanism of the extracts and artemetin isolated from Achillea millefolium L. (Asteraceae) in rats. –Blood pressure lowering, cardiovascular inhibitory and bronchodilatory actions of Achillea millefolium. DIURETIC –Involvement of bradykinin and prostaglandins in the diuretic effects of Achillea millefolium L. (Asteraceae).

DIABETES –Hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium improved blood glucose, liver enzymes and lipid profile compared to metformin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. –Antidiabetic effect of Achillea millefollium through multitarget interactions: α-glucosidases inhibition, insulin sensitization and insulin secretagogue activities. –Achillea Millefolium L. Hydro- Alcoholic Extract Protects Pancreatic Cells by Down Regulating IL- 1β and iNOS Gene Expression in Diabetic Rats. ESTROGENIC –In vitro estrogenic activity of Achillea millefolium L. ANTIFERTILITY –The effect of Achillea millefolium extract on spermatogenesis of male Wistar rats. –Antispermatogenic effect of Achillea millefolium L. in mice. ANXIETY –Anxiolytic-like effects of acute and chronic treatment with Achillea millefolium L. extract. NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS –Bio-effectiveness of the main flavonoids of Achillea millefolium in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders- a review. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS –Achillea millefolium is beneficial as an add-on therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. NICOTINE-INDUCED REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY –Ameliorative effects of Achillea millefolium inflorescences alcoholic extract on nicotine-induced reproductive toxicity in male rat: Apoptotic and biochemical evidences. –Ameliorative effects of Achillea millefolium inflorescences alcoholic extract against nicotine-induced reproductive failure in rat. APPETITE STIMULANT –The effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium on appetite hormone in rats. ANTI-ULCER –Antiulcerogenic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium L.: involvement of the antioxidant system. –Safety and antiulcer efficacy studies of Achillea millefolium L. after chronic treatment in Wistar rats. ULCERATIVE COLITIS –Yarrow oil ameliorates ulcerative colitis in mice model via regulating the NF-κB and PPAR-γ pathways. DYSMENORRHEA –Effect of Achillea Millefolium on Relief of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. CYTOTOXIC –Analysis of Cytotoxicity of Selected Asteraceae Plant Extracts in Real Time, Their Antioxidant Properties and Polyphenolic Profile. ANTIMUTAGENIC –Antimutagenic Effect of Medicinal Plants Achillea millefolium and Bauhinia forficata In Vivo. CANCER –Achillea millefolium L. hydroethanolic extract inhibits growth of human tumor cell lines by interfering with cell cycle and inducing apoptosis. –Antiproliferative effect of flavonoids and sesquiterpenoids from Achillea millefolium s.l. on cultured human tumour cell lines. –The flavonoid Casticin has multiple mechanisms of tumor cytotoxicity action. –Novel antitumor sesquiterpenoids in Achillea millefolium. LARYNGEAL –Phytochemical attributes of four conventionally extracted medicinal plants and cytotoxic evaluation of their extracts on human laryngeal carcinoma (HEp2) cells. LUNG –Millifolide A, a dimeric ether of degraded sesquiterpene lactones, inhibited the proliferation of human lung cancer cell line A549. MELANOMA –Preclinical study of the medicinal plants for the treatment of malignant melanoma. PROSTATE –Antiproliferative Activity of Hypericum perforatum, Achillea millefolium, and Aloe vera in Interaction with the Prostatic Activity of CD82. PANCREATIC –Yarrow supercritical extract exerts antitumoral properties by targeting lipid metabolism in pancreatic cancer. –Identification of antitumoral agents against human pancreatic cancer cells from Asteraceae and Lamiaceae plant extracts. RADIOPROTECTIVE –Radioprotective Effect of Achillea millefolium L Against Genotoxicity Induced by Ionizing Radiation in Human Normal Lymphocytes. CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED TOXICITY / SIDE EFFECTS –Effects of Achillea millefolium on cisplatin induced ocular toxicity: an experimental study. –Achillea millefolium alleviates testicular damage in paclitaxel-intoxicated rats via attenuation of testicular oxido-inflammatory stress and apoptotic responses. –Effect of adding the herb Achillea millefolium on mouthwash on chemotherapy induced oral mucositis in cancer patients: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. WOUNDS –Medicinal Plant Extracts and Their Use As Wound Closure Inducing Agents. –The effect of Achillea millefolium and Hypericum perforatum ointments on episiotomy wound healing in primiparous women. BURNS –Investigation of the effects of Achillea millefolium extract in diabetic rats with second-degree burns.