Yarrow

Uses

Botanical names:
Achillea millefolium

Parts Used & Where Grown

This prolific plant grows in Europe, North America, and Asia. A number of species are used as garden ornamentals. The flowering tops of yarrow are used in herbal medicine.

What Are Star Ratings?

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used forWhy
1 Star
Amenorrhea
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Yarrow has traditionally been thought to stimulate absent or diminished menses, though it has not been studied clinically.

Herbal emmenagogues traditionally regarded as stimulating absent or diminished menses are motherwort, rue, partridge berry, and . None of these herbs has undergone modern clinical trials to determine their efficacy. All emmenagogues should be avoided in pregnancy, as they may possibly cause a spontaneous abortion.

1 Star
Colic
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Yarrow is a gas-relieving herb used in traditional medicine to treat colic. It is generally given by healthcare professionals as teas or decoctions to the infant.

Several gas-relieving herbs used in traditional medicine for colic are approved in Germany for intestinal spasms. These include , garden angelica (Angelica archangelica),peppermint, cinnamon, and fumitory (Fumaria officinalis). These herbs are generally given by healthcare professionals as teas or decoctions to the infant. Peppermint tea should be used with caution in infants and young children, as they may choke in reaction to the strong menthol.

1 Star
Common Cold and Sore Throat
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Yarrow is a diaphoretic herb that has been used for relief of sore throats.

Boneset is another immune stimulant and diaphoretic that helps fight off minor viral infections, such as the common cold. In addition, linden and hyssop may promote a healthy fever and the immune system’s ability to fight infections. is another diaphoretic that has been used for relief of sore throats, though it has not yet been researched for this purpose.

1 Star
Crohn’s Disease
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Yarrow is an anti-inflammatory herb historically recommended by doctors for people with Crohn’s disease.

A variety of anti-inflammatory herbs historically have been recommended by doctors for people with Crohn’s disease. These include , chamomile, licorice, and aloe juice. Cathartic preparations of aloe should be avoided. No research has been conducted to validate the use of these herbs for Crohn’s disease.

1 Star
Indigestion, Heartburn, and Low Stomach Acidity
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Yarrow is a digestive stimulant widely used in traditional medicine in North America.

Bitter herbs are thought to stimulate digestive function by increasing saliva production and promoting both stomach acid and digestive enzyme production. As a result, they are particularly used when there is low stomach acid but not in heartburn (where too much stomach acid could initially exacerbate the situation). These herbs literally taste bitter. Some examples of bitter herbs include greater celandine, wormwood, gentian,dandelion, blessed thistle, , devil’s claw, bitter orange, bitter melon, juniper, andrographis, prickly ash, and centaury.. Bitters are generally taken either by mixing 1–3 ml tincture into water and sipping slowly 10–30 minutes before eating, or by making tea, which is also sipped slowly before eating.

Some bitters widely used in traditional medicine in North America include , yellow dock, goldenseal, Oregon grape, and vervain. Oregon grape’s European cousin barberry has also traditionally been used as a bitter. Animal studies indicate that yarrow, barberry, and Oregon grape, in addition to stimulating digestion like other bitters, may relieve spasms in the intestinal tract.

1 Star
Inflammation
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Traditional herbal medicine in Europe, China, and India has used yarrow to to treat inflammation in a number of conditions, especially in the intestinal and female reproductive tracts.
Traditional herbal medicine in Europe, China, and India has used yarrow to to treat inflammation in a number of conditions, especially in the intestinal and female reproductive tracts.
1 Star
Premenstrual Syndrome
Refer to label instructions
Based on anecdotal evidence, yarrow tea may be beneficial when the main symptom of PMS is spastic pain.

Based on anecdotal evidence, tea has been used by European doctors when the main symptom of PMS is spastic pain. Combine 2–3 teaspoons of yarrow flowers with one cup of hot water, then cover and steep for 15 minutes. Drink three to five cups per day beginning two days before PMS symptoms usually commence. In addition, 1–3 cups of the tea added to hot or cold water can be used as a sitz bath.

1 Star
Ulcerative Colitis
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Yarrow is an anti-inflammatory and soothing herb that may be effective in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Aloe vera juice has anti-inflammatory activity and been used by some doctors for people with UC. In a double-blind study of people with mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis, supplementation with aloe resulted in a complete remission or an improvement in symptoms in 47% of cases, compared with 14% of those given a placebo (a statistically significant difference). No significant side effects were seen. The amount of aloe used was 100 ml (approximately 3.5 ounces) twice a day for four weeks. Other traditional anti-inflammatory and soothing herbs, including calendula, flaxseed, licorice, marshmallow, myrrh, and . Many of these herbs are most effective, according to clinical experience, if taken internally as well as in enema form. Enemas should be avoided during acute flare-ups but are useful for mild and chronic inflammation. It is best to consult with a doctor experienced with botanical medicine to learn more about herbal enemas before using them. More research needs to be done to determine the effectiveness of these herbs.

Traditional Use (May Not Be Supported by Scientific Studies)

Traditional herbal medicine has used yarrow in three broad categories.1 First, it was used to help stop minor bleeding and to treat wounds. Second, it was used to treat inflammation in a number of conditions, especially in the intestinal and female reproductive tracts. Third, it was utilized as a mild sedative. Some or all of these historical uses occurred in Europe, China, and India. The ancient Chinese fortune-telling system known as the I Ching first used dried yarrow stems, then later replaced them with coins.2

Information about Yarrow

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