General Stems erect [HNW] and "...growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a fast rate."[PFAF] "...somewhat pubescent, the hairs white." [HNW] 10-100cm tall. Lifecycle Perennial.[PFAF][PCBC2004] Flowers "Heads numerous, in a short, flat or round-topped cluster." [IFBC][E-flora] "The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects."[PFAF] "Ray flowers usually about 5,[PCBC2004] small, white, rarely pink, [HNW] or sometimes reddish.[PCBC2004] The 10-30 disk flowers are the same color, or contrasting; white, pink, purple, [WildPNW]or cream coloured. [PCBC2004] Fruits Achenes glabrous, flattened [IFBC][E-flora][PCBC2004] pappus lacking.[PCBC204] Leaves Fernlike, alternate [IFBC][E-flora] "...with numerous, highly dissected leafles."[PSW] "the basal leaves larger and at first tufted." [HNW] 2-6 inches long and 1/4 to 1 inch wide.[WeedsW] Stem "...covered with white cottony hairs."[PSW] Root usually rhizomatous.[IFBC][E-flora] "...a weakly spreading root system."[WeedsW] Properties Aromatic.[IFBC][E-flora] A "strong unpleasant odor."[PSW] Habitat "...dry coastal bluffs, meadows, grasslands, rocky slopes and open forests...".[IFBC][E-flora] Sometimes weedy.[HNW]"...occupying many plant communities..."[Weedsw] All elevations.[WildPNW] Range common throughout B.C. [IFBC][E-flora] Pacific States.[PSW] "It is widely distributed throughout the temperate northern hemisphere."[WeedsW] Status Native.[E-flora] Notes "Taxonomically, one of our most complex species. Tyrl (1980)" [E-flora] Highly variable. [HNW]
Hazards
Yarrow is considered to be of low toxicity. [HerbalMed3]
A potent medicine. FDA approved for alcoholic beverages, only when free of thujone.[Schofield]
Large doses can produce headache and dizziness.[PFAF]
Contraindicated: during pregnancy[Schofield], though this could be based on limited data. [Panacea] "Because the thujone in the oil is reputed to be abortifacient and to affect the menstrual cycle, its use in pregnancy and lactation is to be avoided (CAN)." [HMH Duke][HerbalMed3] In view of the lack of safety information use of yarrow should be avoided during lactation.[HerbalMed3]
Allergen: Tea and/or plant contact may cause allergic response in sensitive individuals. [Nyerges] A caution not uncommon to members of the Asteraceae family. [Personal Note] "There is substantial cross-reactivity beetween...[the family]" [TNS] This effect may manifest itself as skin rashes and photosensitivity from extended use of yarrow medicinally or in the diet.[PFAF] Other hypersensitive reactions may include "...contact dermatitis, contact urticaria, rhinoconjunctivitis, and bronchial asthma." The tea may cause rare instances of "...sore throat, stomach aches, facial edema, and pruritus...". [TNS] However, "...for those who are not allergic to it, yarrow is safe and well tolerated." [Panacea]
Food
Leaves: Spring & summer. Dried, ground and used as a seasoning, traditionally called "poor man's pepper." Young leaves added to spring salads and dressings.[Schofield] "Raw or cooked[4, 5, 46, 52]. A rather bitter flavour, they make an acceptable addition to mixed salads and are best used when young[9, 183, K]. The leaves are also used as a hop-substitute for flavouring and as a preservative for beer etc[2, 9, 53, 183]. Although in general yarrow is a very nutritious and beneficial plant to add to the diet, some caution should be exercised[K]. See the notes above on possible toxicity."[PFAF]
Essential Oil: "An essential oil from the flowering heads is used as a flavouring for soft drinks[183]."[PFAF]
Hops Substitute: The herb is also a hops substitute for brewing beer.[Schofield]
Cooking: Stems used as salmon spreaders and for drying clams. [Turner, Kuhnlein] Various natives placed bunches of yarrow inside salmon to promote quick curing. [Schofield]
Tea: Leaves and/or flowers used for beverage tea.[Turner&Kuhnlein][PFAF]
Other Uses
Snuff/Tobacco: Yarrow is used in herbal snuff and smoking tobacco.[Schofield]
Cattle Fodder: Grown in pastures, a feed of exceptional nutritional value for cattle results.[Schofield]
Repellant: "Rubbing your clothes and skin with yarrow is an ancient prescription for repelling biting insects." [Schofield] "The growing plant repels beetles, ants and flies[14, 99, 172]. The plant has been burnt in order to ward off mosquitoes[257]." [PFAF] The Ethyl acetate extract is an effective repellent vs. mosquitoes.[Singh APB]
Dream Pillow: Yarrow is traditional in dream pillows "to prevent melancholy."[Schofield] The uppermost tender parts of the plants can be snipped and stuffed into a pillow cover. The resulting pillow will be soft and aromatic and likely to promote wonderful dreams.[Nyerges] For sore feet, Appalachian mountain folk placed yarrow in their shoes.[Schofield]
Hair:
Infusion: It is said that balding can be prevented by regularly washing the head with a yarrow infusion. [Nyerges] Reputed to be an effective hair tonic for stimulating hair growth and preventing baldness. [Schofield]
Compost: Yarrow is a good compost plant [Schofield]
Liquid Plant Feed: "A liquid plant feed can be made from the leaves[54]. You fill a container with the leaves and then add some water. Leave it to soak for a week or two and then dilute the rather smelly dark liquid, perhaps 10 - 1 with water though this figure is not crucial[K]. This plant is an essential ingredient of 'Quick Return' herbal compost activator[32]. This is a dried and powdered mixture of several herbs that can be added to a compost heap in order to speed up bacterial activity and thus shorten the time needed to make the compost[K]."[PFAF]
Incense: "The fragrant seeds have been used to impart a pleasant smell indoors[257]."[PFAF]
Dye: "Yellow and green dyes are obtained from the flowers[168]." [PFAF]
Cosmetic: "The leaves have been used as a cosmetic cleanser for greasy skin[268]."[PFAF]
Medicinal Uses
Essential Oil: "An essential oil obtained from the leaves is used medicinally[17, 46, 61]. The leaves contain from 0.6 to 0.85% essential oil[240]."[PFAF] The source of yarrow essential oil is typically the aerial parts of Achillea millefolium L. The yield of this essential oil is about 0.1 – 0.3% with the yield increasing during full bloom.[4] [TNS]
Tea: Yarrow tea be drunk for abdominal cancer, bleeding hemorrhoids, and bleeding in the stomach or lungs. The tea can be used as an internal remedy for new mothers and infants.[Schofield]
Externally: Used Externally for skin rashes. Yarrow hot packs are applied to aches and pains. Used on bleeding wounds to stimulate clotting, and to soothe chest pains and muscular aches. [Schofield]
Sinuses: Inhaling vapors from yarrow boiled in water is medicine for stuffed sinuses.[Schofield]
Tonic:Tea from the dried leaves is a bitter but stimulating tonic. The tea is said to be useful for breaking up head colds and fevers. It is a strong diaphoretic (promotes perspiration). Although the taste may require some getting used to, many enjoy its aromatic bitterness with the first cup. [Nyerges]
Febrifuge: Yarrow tea, drunk hot, induces perspiration. A classic brew for fevers consists of equal parts yarrow flowers, elder flowers, and mint. Yarrow is my herb of choice for colds and flu. [Schofield]
Menstrual: To stimulate a late menstrual period, sip yarrow tea, and take a hot footbath with mint and cayenne. Yarrow is a good tea for women and recommended for irregular menstruation and menopause, as well as general health of the reproductive organs. For inflammation of the ovaries, prolapse of the uterus, and fibroids," try yarrow sitz baths. "Sip yarrow tea and inhale the yarrow vapors until sweat flows profusely." [Schofield]
Toothache: Chewing the fresh leaves is reputed to relieve toothache pain. "The pain subsided within about 10 minutes and was below the pain threshold within about 35 minutes." [Schofield]
Cosmetic:
Facial Steam: "Yarrow facial steams are excellent for oily and irritated skin. The herb is frequently added to skin lotions and facial steams for chafed skin." [Schofield]
Herbal Bath: "Yarrow stems and blossoms make a fragrant and soothing herbal bath." [Schofield]
Styptic: The tea can be used to stop nosebleeds. The leaves can be pressed on a wound to stop the bleeding and relieve some of the pain. "This is due to yarrow' s vulnerary, styptic, and anesthetic properties." Historically used by Napoleon's army to stop the bleeding from war injuries. [Nyerges] Aleuts placed "...crushed yarrow on bleeding wounds to stimulate clotting, and to soothe chest pains and muscular aches." [Schofield]
Ethnobotany
Medicinal Use
Named after Achilles of Greek mythology, "Yarrow is one of the oldest known botanicals used by humans..." and "...among the six medicinal plants whose pollen was found in a Homo neanderthalensis grave at Shanidar, dated to 65,000 B.C." "Moerman’s authoritative (1998) compilation identified 377 distinct medicinal use reports for yarrow by Native American groups, the most for any plant." It has been "used medicinally by no fewer than 76 tribes." Its use has been recorded in North America, China, Europe, Indonesia, South Africa, Botswana, Brazil, and various other parts of Central and South America.[Panacea]
"Yarrow has a high reputation and is widely employed in herbal medicine, administered both internally and externally. It is used in the treatment of a very wide range of disorders but is particularly valuable for treating wounds, stopping the flow of blood, treating colds, fevers, kidney diseases, menstrual pain etc[218, 238, 254, 257]." [PFAF]
"Yarrow is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in the world, primarily for wounds, digestive problems, respiratory infections, and skin conditions, and secondarily, among other uses, for liver disease and as a mild sedative. Preclinical studies indicate that it may have anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective, anxiolytic, and perhaps antipathogenic activities." [Panacea]
"The whole plant is used, both fresh and dried, and is best harvested when in flower[222]." [PFAF] For medicinal purposes, it can be gathered any time during the growing season. However, it is best gathered just before it flowers. [Nyerges]
Daily Dosage: Infusion — 4.5 gm herb or 3 gm flowers. Tea — 1 cup, freshly made, 3 to 4 times daily between meals. External application — "100 gm Yarrow to be drawn in 1 to 2 liter of water for 20 minutes and added to the bath water."[PDR] Homeopathic Uses: "...used in varicose veins, arterial bleeding, convulsions. Homeopathic Dosage: 5 to 10 drops 1 to 3 times daily...(HAB1)."[PDR]
Pharmacology
The herb is antiseptic, mildly aromatic, astringent, digestive, odontalgic, bitter tonic, vasodilator and vulnerary.[PFAF]
Abortifacient (f; CRC); [HMH Duke]
Analgesic (1; APA; CRC); [HMH Duke]
Antibacterial (2; APA; KOM; PIP); [HMH Duke]
Antiedemic (1; APA; CAN; PH2); [HMH Duke]
Antiinflammatory (1; APA; PH2; PNC; WAM);[HMH Duke] "possess definite anti-inflammatory properties. . . . These properties consist mainly of plant proteins and carbohydrates, and are most active in water extracts or teas and tinctures." (See Caution)[Schofield]
Antiperspirant (f; PHR); [HMH Duke]
Antipyretic (1; BGB; CRC; PNC); [HMH Duke]
Antiseptic (2; APA; BGB; KOM);[HMH Duke]
Antispasmodic (2; BGB; KOM; SHT); [HMH Duke][PFAF]
Antiviral (f; CRC); [HMH Duke]
Aperitif (2; APA; KOM); [HMH Duke]
Astringent (2; KOM; SHT); [HMH Duke] with tannins [Hudson WENM]
Carminative (f; PED); [HMH Duke][PFAF]
Cholagogue (1; BGB; PH2);[HMH Duke][PFAF]
Choleretic (2; APA; KOM; PIP);[HMH Duke]
This is a crude organization of known constituents found in Achillea millefolium. Expect a few substances to be mistakenly arranged. I have tried my best to sort them from the information I have found. This list will be updated at a later date, with more complete references.
Alcohols
DULCITOL Plant: [DukePhyto]
FURFURYL-ALCOHOL Plant: [DukePhyto]
INOSITOL Plant: [DukePhyto]
MENTHOL Plant: [DukePhyto]
MANNITOL Plant: [DukePhyto]
Aldehyde
FURFURAL Plant: [DukePhyto]
Alkaloids
BETONICINE Plant: [DukePhyto] (Pyrrolidine Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives)
CHAMAZULENE Plant 50 - 2,800 ppm [DukePhyto] (blue, 6-19%, maximum 40%). Some strains are free of chamazulene.[PDR] Yarrow contains chamazulene, among other components of its essential volatile oils.
That compound acts as an anti-inflammatory, antiallergenic, and helps stop spasms
(Swerdlow 2000). [Daniel F Austin]
CHAMAZULENE-CARBOXYLIC-ACID Plant: [DukePhyto]
ISOARTEMISIA-KETONE Plant: [DukePhyto] "isoartemisiaketon (up to 8%)" [PDR]
THUJONE Plant: [DukePhyto]
Achillea millefolium subsp. elborsensisYarrow Plumajillo (Alborz) - Flowers - Essential oil (chamazulene as the main constituent; 48.9 %) [Antifungal]
Aerial Part Essential oil: Content, % on fresh wt: 0.007–0.13 [1]
Content, % on absolutely dry wt: 0.1–0.37 [2] Saponification value, mg KOH: 26.1 [1]
Inflorescences Essential oil, % on air dry wt: 0.09–0.91 [8, 9] Lipids, % on air dry wt: 4.34 [8]
Leaf
Essential oil, % on air dry wt: 0.3 [8]
Lipids, % on air dry wt: 5.73 [8]
Stem - Lipids, % on air dry wt: 0.62 [8]
Use: Essential oil is used in cosmetic products and for
treatment of injuries to the epithelium by burns and
erythema [10]. Lipophilic extract has antioxidant
activity [11].[LLCEOPS]
Nutritional
Yarrow – Achillea millefolium[Turner, Kuhnlein]
Part:
Leaves
Per 100 g fresh weight
Calcium (mg)
225
Manganese (mg)
4
Potassium (mg)
645
Water (g)
79
Zinc (mg)
0.7
Magnesium (mg)
53
Protein (g)
3.8
Iron (mg)
13.1
Copper (mg)
0.2
Fat (g)
-
Sodium (mg)
59
Phosphorus (mg)
76
Cultivation
"Succeeds in most soils and situations but prefers a well-drained soil in a sunny position[1, 14]. Shade tolerant[13]. Plants live longer when grown in a poor soil[200] and also do well on lime[208]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[200].... Plants succeed in maritime gardens[233]. The plant has a very spreading root system and is usually quite invasive[233, K]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25oc[187]. Yarrow is an excellent plant for growing in lawns, meadows, orchards etc., it is tolerant of repeated close cutting and of being walked on[20, 54]. It works to improve the soil fertility[20, 54].... Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. A good bee plant, it is an important nectar source for many insects[24]."[PFAF]
Groundcover: "A good ground cover plant, spreading quickly by its roots[208]."[PFAF]
Companion Plant: Yarrow increases the aromatic property of other herbs. Yarrow is a good companion plant. [Schofield] "A very good companion plant, it improves the health of plants growing nearby and enhances their essential oil content thus making them more resistant to insect predations[14, 18, 20, 53]." [PFAF]
Propagation
"Seed - sow spring or early autumn in a cold frame[133]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months[133]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, the divisions can be planted direct into their permanent positions. Divisions succeed at any time of the year. Basal cuttings of new shoots in spring. Very easy, collect the shoots when they are about 10cm tall, potting them up individually in pots and keeping them in a warm but lightly shaded position. They should root within 3 weeks and will be ready to plant out in the summer."[PFAF]
YARROW - ACHILLEA
Perennial herb, strongly scented. Leaf: [simple to] 3-pinnately dissected, basal and cauline, alternate, ± reduced distally on stem, ± hairy. Inflorescence: heads radiate, many, small, in generally flat-topped clusters; involucre bell-shaped or ovoid; phyllaries graduated in 3–4 series, ovate, obtuse; margins membranous; receptacle flat to rounded, paleate; paleae narrow, transparent, ± folded. Ray flower: (3)5–8; ray short, generally round, white or pink [yellow]. Disk flower: ± many; corolla short, white to purple [yellow]. Fruit: oblong to obovate, compressed, thick-margined, glabrous; pappus 0.
± 115 species: North America, Eurasia, northern Africa. (Greek: Achilles of ancient mythology) [Trock 2006 FNANM 19:492–494][Jepson]
Key to the Species and Taxonomic Notes
Two species of Achillea in BC may be confused: Achillea millefolium and A. sibirica. The third species, A. ptarmica, is distinctive, with few, larger flowerheads.
1. Leaves pinnately dissected, the divisions again dissected; plants widespread in BC......................A. millefolium
1. Leaves incised, the divisions of the latter merely toothed; plants of northeastern BC.......................A. sibirica[IFBC-E-flora]
Panacea Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.): A Neglected Panacea? A Review of Ethnobotany, Bioactivity, and Biomedical Research, Wendy L. Applequist, Daniel E. Moerman, Economic Botany, June 2011, Volume 65, Issue 2, pp 209-225
