Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is an inconspicuous plant that can be seen flowering white or pink around the sheering sheds during Spring, or in the grass along the paddock fences. It has tall erect stems with finely notched leaves that give it the epithet millefolium, while the first part of its Latin name derives from Homer’s account of the warrior Achilles, who used the herb to dress wounds at Troy. It was used this way in the First World War when dressings were sparse, as with moss and garlic, honouring its use as a woundwort that probably dates back to the beginning of civilisation.

Yarrow stops bleeding, cleanses wounds and helps to heal sores so it can be used for the treatment of open wounds, ulcers, blood blisters and piles. In a first aid emergency you can gather the leaves fresh and chew them into a pulp in order to make a bandage for dressing wounds, or simply chew the root. When taken internally it stops bleeding from the mouth, nose, intestines, or urinary system, as well as being useful for treating cases of a loose bowel or dysentery, much like plantain. The bitterness also makes it a stomach and liver tonic.

Yarrow is a diaphoretic herb, meaning that it promotes sweating. Yarrow can be combined with other herbs in order to bring down a fever such as elder, ginger, peppermint, plantain or horehound. In this respect it should be used at the start of a cold and can be sweetened with some honey, and you can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to increase the effect.¹

Because of this dilating effect on the circulation, yarrow helps remove obstruction of the small vessels, and thereby helps clear the blood of toxins. It also can be used to reduce blood pressure. The French herbalist Messegue says that as a circulatory system herb it is antispasmodic in activity and therefore calming to the heart, and so can be used for treating chest pains and angina.²

Interestingly, yarrow can help modulate blood sugar, lower LDL cholesterol and raise protective HDL cholesterol. These are characteristics we don’t usually think of with this herb, but no doubt they are due to its bitterness and stimulation of the liver.³

As a urinary system herb it is good for treating kidney ailments. In this respect Peter Holmes recommends it for treating nephrosis, stones, and cystitis. This remarkable regulatory herb also has an action on the female reproductive system throughout the lifespan: balancing menstruation, reducing inter-menstrual bleeding and a tendency to heavy periods. It can even compensate for oestrogen and progesterone deficiency during menopause.⁴ furthermore, it will treat candidiasis.⁵

Sore eyes as well as inflammatory skin conditions are also helped by this herb. You can treat these conditions with a wash made from a strong tea, as with chamomile, calendula and fennel.

Yarrow also makes a nice ointment when dried and prepared by infusing the herb in olive oil. The infused oil is strained after a few weeks and the oil is then warmed on a gentle heat in order to add some beeswax. The ointment can then be used for treating piles or even alopecia.⁶ Some people are, however, allergic to yarrow, as with rue, so watch for the first signs of any rash.

Disclaimer: this article is intended for the purpose of general education only, and is not a substitute for a diagnosis, treatment advice, or a prescription given in a consultation with a qualified physician.

References:

1.         Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. London: Tiger Books International; 1994.

2.         Messegue M. Health Secrets Of Plants And Herbs. Collins; 1976.

3.         Rezaei S, Ashkar F, Koohpeyma F, et al. Hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium improved blood glucose, liver enzymes and lipid profile compared to metformin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Lipids Health Dis 2020;19:81.

4.         Holmes P. The Energetics of Western Herbs. Artemis; 1989.

5.         Zakeri S, Esmaeilzadeh S, Gorji N, Memariani Z, Moeini R, Bijani A. The effect of Achillea Millefolium L. on vulvovaginal candidiasis compared with clotrimazole: A randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Med 2020;52:102483.

6.         De Bairacli Levy J. The Complete Herbal Handbook For Farm And Stable. London: Faber And Faber; 1973.