Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Research

Latin Name: Achillea millefolium

Family: Asteraceae

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action.  This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

GENERAL

• Applequist, W. L., & Moerman, D. E. (2011). Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.): A Neglected Panacea? A Review of Ethnobotany, Bioactivity, and Biomedical Research1. Economic Botany, 65(2), 209.
• Chandler, R. F., Hooper, S. N., & Harvey, M. J. (1982). Ethnobotany and phytochemistry of yarrow, Achillea millefolium, Compositae. Economic botany, 36(2), 203-223.
• Akram, M. (2013). Minireview on Achillea millefolium Linn. The Journal of membrane biology, 246(9), 661-663.
• Benedek, B., & Kopp, B. (2007). Achillea millefolium L. sl revisited: recent findings confirm the traditional use. Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift, 157(13-14), 312-314.
• Lis-Balchin, M. (2006). Aromatherapy Science: A guide for healthcare professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press.
• Petersen, D. (2015). Aromatherapy Materia Medica.  Essential oil monographs.  American College of Healthcare Sciences
• WebMD (n.d.).  Yarrow.  Retrieved in April, 2015.  Retrieved from www.webmd.com
• Natural Medicines. (2015).  Yarrow Monograph.  Retrieved in May, 2017.  Retrieved from www.naturalmedicines.com
• Khan, A. U., & Gilani, A. H. (2011). Blood pressure lowering, cardiovascular inhibitory and bronchodilatory actions of Achillea millefolium. Phytotherapy Research, 25(4), 577-583.
• Traditional uses and research on yarrow was reviewed.  Studies have shown anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective, anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, antioxidant, antimicrobial, spasmolytic, analgesic, anxiolytic, hypotensive, calming, skin healing, appetite-reducing, and immunoregulating activities.   Ali, S. I., Gopalakrishnan, B., & Venkatesalu, V. (2017). Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties of Achillea millefolium L.: A Review. Phytotherapy Research, 31(8), 1140-1161.
• Thyme oil and yarrow herb had the most positive effects on chick health.  From:  Cross, D. E., McDevitt, R. M., Hillman, K., & Acamovic, T. (2007). The effect of herbs and their associated essential oils on performance, dietary digestibility and gut microflora in chickens from 7 to 28 days of age. British poultry science, 48(4), 496-506.

SAFETY

• Essential oil is contraindicated during pregnancy / lactation / with small children (Lis-Balchin, 2006).
• Avoid herb during pregnancy.  From:  Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Khoddami, M., Khazraei, H. R., Dehkordil, E. B., & Rafieian-Kopaei, M. (2017). Hypolipidemic herbals with diuretic effects: A systematic review. In Biol. Sci (Vol. 8, pp. 21-28).
• Yarrow, when administered to rats at 56 times the human dose, was associated with reduced fetal weight and increased placental weight, thus might be contraindicated during pregnancy. From: Boswell‐Ruys, C. L., Ritchie, H. E., & Brown‐Woodman, P. D. (2003). Preliminary screening study of reproductive outcomes after exposure to yarrow in the pregnant rat. Birth Defects Research Part B: Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology, 68(5), 416-420.
• Potentially toxic constituents of essential oil are camphor and thujone as well as 1,8-cineole. Skin patch test required and avoid with asthma (Petersen, 2015).
• Avoid with those who have allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family (Petersen, 2015).
• Avoid with aspirin allergy; contains salicylic acid.
• May interfere with some medications like anticoagulants, blood modifiers, meds for blood diseases, and have sedative and diuretic effects (Petersen, 2015).
• Avoid up to two weeks before getting surgery (WebMD, n.d.).
• May interfere with lithium and barbiturates (Natural Medicines, 2015).
• Huge variations in chemical composition within the species based on location, stage of development, and part of plant.
• Yarrow essential oil is often adultered with chamomile (Lis-Balchin, 2006).

ANTIOXIDANT

• Four plants from the Asteraceae family were tested for antioxidant activity:  Achillea millefolium L., Arnica montana L., Artemisia absinthium L., and Artemisia annua L.  From:  Vidic, D., Ćavar Zeljković, S., Dizdar, M., & Maksimović, M. (2016).  Essential oil composition and antioxidant activity of four Asteraceae species from Bosnia. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 1-13.
• A. micrantha. and A. millefolium had favorable strong scavenging activity and high total flavonoid content.  From: Nickavar, B., Kamalinejad, M., Haj-Yahya, M., & Shafaghi, B. (2006). Comparison of the free radical scavenging activity of six iranian achillea. species. Pharmaceutical Biology, 44(3), 208-212.
• Antioxidant activity of A. millefolium was assessed.  From:  Trumbeckaite, S., Benetis, R., Bumblauskiene, L., Burdulis, D., Janulis, V., Toleikis, A., … & Jakštas, V. (2011). Achillea millefolium L. sl herb extract: Antioxidant activity and effect on the rat heart mitochondrial functions. Food Chemistry, 127(4), 1540-1548.
• Achillea species showed antioxidant activity on damaged human erythrocytes and leucocytes in vitro.   From:  Konyalioglu, S., & Karamenderes, C. (2005). The protective effects of Achillea L. species native in Turkey against H 2 O 2-induced oxidative damage in human erythrocytes and leucocytes. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 102(2), 221-227.
• Ethanol extract and essential oil from yarrow showed in vitro antioxidant and antifungal activities against Aspergillus niger and Penicillium hirsutum. From: Fierascu, I., Ungureanu, C., Avramescu, S. M., Fierascu, R. C., Ortan, A., Soare, L. C., & Paunescu, A. (2015). In vitro antioxidant and antifungal properties of Achillea millefolium L. Rom Biotechnol Lett, 20, 10626-36.
• Achillea millefolium showed antioxidant activity as well as antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Clostridium perfringens, Candida albicans, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Acinetobacter lwoffii and Candida krusei. From:  Candan, F., Unlu, M., Tepe, B., Daferera, D., Polissiou, M., Sökmen, A., & Akpulat, H. A. (2003). Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Achillea millefolium subsp. millefolium Afan.(Asteraceae). journal of ethnopharmacology, 87(2), 215-220.
• Yarrow showed antioxidant anti-inflammatory action where it could be useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.  From:  Chou, S. T., Peng, H. Y., Hsu, J. C., Lin, C. C., & Shih, Y. (2013). Achillea millefolium L. essential oil inhibits LPS-induced oxidative stress and nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. International journal of molecular sciences, 14(7), 12978-12993.

ANTIMICROBIAL / ANTIFUNGAL / ANTIBACTERIAL

• Achillea millefolium showed antioxidant activity as well as antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Clostridium perfringens, Candida albicans, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Acinetobacter lwoffii and Candida krusei. From:  Candan, F., Unlu, M., Tepe, B., Daferera, D., Polissiou, M., Sökmen, A., & Akpulat, H. A. (2003). Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Achillea millefolium subsp. millefolium Afan.(Asteraceae). journal of ethnopharmacology, 87(2), 215-220.
• Roman chamomile, curry plant, hyssop, lavandin, marjoram sweet, orange mint, spearmint, monarda, oregano, rosemary, rue sage, tansy, tarragon, thyme common and yarrow showed vapour activity against the fungi that causes ringworm. From:  Inouye, S., Uchida, K., & Abe, S. (2006). Volatile composition and vapour activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes of 36 aromatic herbs cultivated in Chichibu district in Japan. International Journal of Aromatherapy, 16(3), 159-168.
• Achillea millefolium and three other Achillea species showed in vitro antimicrobial activity against tested bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aueruginosa, and Salmonella enteritidis.  The four species showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans.  From:  Stojanović, G., Radulović, N., Hashimoto, T., & Palić, R. (2005). In vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts of four Achillea species: The composition of Achillea clavennae L.(Asteraceae) extract. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 101(1), 185-190.
• A yarrow essential oil high in linalool and viridifloral was antifungal against five plant pathogens in vitro. From: Giamperi, L., Bucchini, A. E. A., Ricci, D., Papa, F., & Maggi, F. (2018). Essential Oil of Achillea ligustica (Asteraceae) as an Antifungal Agent against Phytopathogenic Fungi. Natural Product Communications, 13(9), 1934578X1801300918.
• Ethanol extract and essential oil from yarrow showed in vitro antioxidant and antifungal activities against Aspergillus niger and Penicillium hirsutum. From: Fierascu, I., Ungureanu, C., Avramescu, S. M., Fierascu, R. C., Ortan, A., Soare, L. C., & Paunescu, A. (2015). In vitro antioxidant and antifungal properties of Achillea millefolium L. Rom Biotechnol Lett, 20, 10626-36.

ANTI-PARASITE

• Clove, basil, and yarrow were effective against the parasite T. cruzi that feeds on blood and lymph.  From:  Santoro, G. F., Cardoso, M. G., Guimarães, L. G. L., Mendonça, L. Z., & Soares, M. J. (2007). Trypanosoma cruzi: activity of essential oils from Achillea millefolium L., Syzygium aromaticum L. and Ocimum basilicum L. on epimastigotes and trypomastigotes. Experimental parasitology, 116(3), 283-290.
• Achillea millefolium (yarrow), Baeckea frutenscens, Brucea javanica (java), Curcuma xanthorrhiza (tumeric), Strychnos lucida and Swietenia macrophylla showed strong antimalarial and antibabesial and activities.  From:  MURNIGSIH, T., MATSUURA, H., TAKAHASHI, K., YAMASAKI, M., YAMATO, O., MAEDE, Y., … & YOSHIHARA, T. (2005). Evaluation of the inhibitory activities of the extracts of Indonesian traditional medicinal plants against Plasmodium falciparum and Babesia gibsoni. Journal of veterinary medical science, 67(8), 829-831.
• An in vitro study showed extracts from yarrow to be parasitic against Babesia canis. From: Guz, L., Wawrzykowski, J., Ziętek, J., & Winiarczyk, S. (2019). In vitro antioxidant and antibabesial activities of the extracts of Achillea millefolium. Polish journal of veterinary sciences, 22(2), 369-376.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

• Yarrow extract showed anti-inflammatory skin action in a double blind in vitro study.  From:  Tadić, V., Arsić, I., Zvezdanović, J., Zugić, A., Cvetković, D., & Pavkov, S. (2017). The estimation of the traditionally used yarrow (Achillea millefolium L. Asteraceae) oil extracts with anti-inflamatory potential in topical application. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 199, 138-148.
• The author discussed the anti-inflammatory proazulenes: chamazulene and matricin that occur in chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and  yarrow (Achillea millefolium), along with a few other Asteraceae species.  From:  Ramadan, M., Goeters, S., Watzer, B., Krause, E., Lohmann, K., Bauer, R., … & Imming, P. (2006). Chamazulene carboxylic acid and matricin: a natural profen and its natural prodrug, identified through similarity to synthetic drug substances. Journal of natural products, 69(7), 1041-1045.
• Yarrow showed antioxidant anti-inflammatory action where it could be useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.  From:  Chou, S. T., Peng, H. Y., Hsu, J. C., Lin, C. C., & Shih, Y. (2013). Achillea millefolium L. essential oil inhibits LPS-induced oxidative stress and nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. International journal of molecular sciences, 14(7), 12978-12993.
• Anti-inflammatory properties of Achillea millefolium were identified.  From:  Goldberg, A. S., Mueller, E. C., Eigen, E., & Desalva, S. J. (1969). Isolation of the anti‐inflammatory principles from Achillea millefolium (compositae). Journal of pharmaceutical sciences, 58(8), 938-941.
• Crude plant extracts of yarrow showed anti-inflammatory activity on human neutrophil elastase and matrix metalloproteinase in vitro.  From:  Benedek, B., Kopp, B., & Melzig, M. F. (2007). Achillea millefolium L. sl–Is the anti-inflammatory activity mediated by protease inhibition? Journal of ethnopharmacology, 113(2), 312-317.
• Yarrow inhibited human neutrophil respiratory burst activity.  From:  Choudhary, M. I., Jalil, S., Todorova, M., Trendafilova, A., Mikhova, B., Duddeck, H., & Atta-ur-Rahman. (2007). Inhibitory effect of lactone fractions and individual components from three species of the Achillea millefolium complex of Bulgarian origin on the human neutrophils respiratory burst activity. Natural product research, 21(11), 1032-1036.
• A gel containing yarrow and butcher’s broom showed 50% reduction in vivo in rat paw edema.  From:  Maswadeh, H. M., Semreen, M. H., & Naddaf, A. R. (2006). Anti-inflammatory activity of Achillea and Ruscus topical gel on carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. Acta Pol Pharm, 63(4), 277-280.
• Traumeel is an herbal formulation including Arnica montana, Calendula officinalis, Achillea millefolium, Matricaria chamomilla, Symphytum officinale, Atropa belladonna, Aconitum napellu, Bellis perennis, Hypericum perforatum, Chinacea angustfolia, Echinacea purpurea, Hamamelis virginica, Mercurius solubilis, and Hepar sulfuris. In a review of research, the author concluded that Traumeel is an effective Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs for treating pain and inflammation, especially related to stomatitis for chemotherapy patients and musculoskeletal injuries. From: Grech, D., Velagala, J., Dembek, D. J., & Tabaac, B. (2018). Critical Literature Review of the Homeopathic Compound Traumeel for Treatment of Inflammation. Pharmacology & Pharmacy, 9(03), 67.

​SKIN / WOUND HEALING

• A yarrow based ointment improved episiotomy wound healing in a double blind study of 140 women. From:  Hajhashemi, M., Ghanbari, Z., Movahedi, M., Rafieian, M., Keivani, A., & Haghollahi, F. (2018). The effect of Achillea millefolium and Hypericum perforatum ointments on episiotomy wound healing in primiparous women. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 31(1), 63-69.
• In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, trial with fifty patients with recurrent nosebleeds, A 1% yarrow in vitamin A significantly reduced frequency and duration with no side effects.  From: Hashemianet al. (2021). Evaluating the efficacy of Achillea Millefolium ointment in the treatment of recurrent idiopathic epistaxis; a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 29, 100468.
• This was a review of research on botanicals and natural extracts for wound repair. Significant research was found for propolis, Aloe vera, Achillea millefolium, Salvia officinalis, Malva sylvestris, and Casearia sylvestris. From: Medellin-Luna, M. F., Castaneda-Delgado, J. E., Martínez-Balderas, V. Y., & Cervantes-Villagrana, A. R. (2019). Medicinal plant extracts and their use as wound closure inducing agents. Journal of medicinal food, 22(5), 435-443.
• This was a review of research on the use of plants from the Asteraceae family to treat wounds. From: Carvalho Jr, A. R., Diniz, R. M., Suarez, M. A., Figueiredo, C. S., Zagmignan, A., Grisotto, M. A., … & da Silva, L. C. (2018). Use of some asteraceae plants for the treatment of wounds: from ethnopharmacological studies to scientific evidences. Frontiers in pharmacology, 9, 784.
• A 2‐month in vivo treatment of an A. millefolium extract showed improved appearance of wrinkles and pores compared to the placebo. From: Pain, S., Altobelli, C., Boher, A., Cittadini, L., Favre‐Mercuret, M., Gaillard, C., … & André‐Frei, V. (2011). Surface rejuvenating effect of Achillea millefolium extract. International journal of cosmetic science, 33(6), 535-542.
• In a study of 50 patients with wound ulcers, an herbal ointment was applied twice a day for 28 days. It contained Symphytum officinale, Plantago major, Calendula officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla, Bellis perennis, Achillea millefolium, Salvia officinalis, Hypericum perforatum, Olea europaea, Lavandula officinalis, Melaleuca alternifolia, Cympobogon martini, Origanum vulgare, Eugenia caryophyllata, Thymus vulgaris ct. thymol, Cera alba, honey, and glycerol. Results showed significant healing of wounds. From: Oreščanin, V. (2016). Treatment of pressure ulcers with Bioapifit® wound healing herbal ointment-a preliminary study. IJRDO: J Biol Sci, 2(10), 1-15.

ACNE

• The usefulness of yarrow in treating acne is reviewed. From: Shah, R., & Peethambaran, B. (2018). Anti-inflammatory and Anti-microbial Properties of Achillea millefolium in Acne Treatment. In Immunity and Inflammation in Health and Disease (pp. 241-248). Academic Press.

ANTI-ULCER

• Yarrow showed antiulcer potential without toxicity, even after very long exposure.  From:  Cavalcanti, A. M., Baggio, C. H., Freitas, C. S., Rieck, L., De Sousa, R. S., Da Silva-Santos, J. E., … & Marques, M. C. A. (2006). Safety and antiulcer efficacy studies of Achillea millefolium L. after chronic treatment in Wistar rats. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 107(2), 277-284.
• Oral administration of yarrow extracts had a gastroprotective effect in vivo. From: Potrich, F. B., Allemand, A., da Silva, L. M., dos Santos, A. C., Baggio, C. H., Freitas, C. S., … & Marques, M. C. A. (2010). Antiulcerogenic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium L.: involvement of the antioxidant system. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 130(1), 85-92.

DIURETIC

• A compilation of research showed the following herbs to have a diuretic effect:  yarrow, lemon verbena, pineapple, dill, gorden asparagus, mugwort, oats, barberry, Indian tree, turnip, marigold, chicory, lemon, cucumber, pumpkin seed, quince, carrot, flix weed, horsetail, asafetida, fig, barely, St. John’s wort, bay, alfalfa, European pennyroyal, mulberry, water cress, catnip, black cumin, parsley, green bean, pistachio, cherry, pomegranate, purstane, savory, tomato, brinjal, tea, haritali, coltsfoot, nettle, bell bean, and corn.  From:  Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Khoddami, M., Khazraei, H. R., Dehkordil, E. B., & Rafieian-Kopaei, M. (2017). Hypolipidemic herbals with diuretic effects: A systematic review. In Biol. Sci (Vol. 8, pp. 21-28).

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

• The following methanol extracts showed activity against Helicobacter pylori which causes gastrointestinal disorders:  Myristica fragrans (nutmeg seed), Zingiber officinale (ginger root), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary leaf), Achillea millefolium (yarrow), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel seed), Passiflora incarnata (passionflower), Origanum majorana (oregano), and others.  From:  Mahady, G. B., Pendland, S. L., Stoia, A., Hamill, F. A., Fabricant, D., Dietz, B. M., & Chadwick, L. R. (2005). In vitro susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to botanical extracts used traditionally for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Phytotherapy research, 19(11), 988-991.
• In a small double blind study with 45 irritable bowel syndrome patients, those who took a yarrow supplement showed reduced symptom severity. A study with a larger sample size is warranted. From: Derakhshande, P., Navabi, S. J., Shokoohinia, Y., Rouhi-Broujeni, H., Deris, F., Behbood, L., … & Farzaei, M. H. (2019). Efficacy and safety of Achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch capsules on symptom severity and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine.
• Oral administration of yarrow extracts had a gastroprotective effect in vivo. From: Potrich, F. B., Allemand, A., da Silva, L. M., dos Santos, A. C., Baggio, C. H., Freitas, C. S., … & Marques, M. C. A. (2010). Antiulcerogenic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium L.: involvement of the antioxidant system. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 130(1), 85-92.
• The following plant extracts were gastroprotective against H. pylori gastric infections in vitro: Achillea millefolium, Berberis aristata, Coriandrum sativum, Foeniculum vulgare, Matricaria chamomilla and Prunus domestica From: Zaidi, S. F., Muhammad, J. S., Shahryar, S., Usmanghani, K., Gilani, A. H., Jafri, W., & Sugiyama, T. (2012). Anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects of selected Pakistani medicinal plants in Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 141(1), 403-410.

ORAL HEALTH

• In a study of 56 cancer chemotherapy patients over two weeks, a distilled yarrow mouthwash healed oral mucositis more than a routine solution.  From:  Miranzadeh, S., Adib-Hajbaghery, M., Soleymanpoor, L., & Ehsani, M. (2015). Effect of adding the herb Achillea millefolium on mouthwash on chemotherapy induced oral mucositis in cancer patients: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 19(3), 207-213.
• Oral antibacterial effectiveness of essential oils is reviewed.  Oils include: Achillea ligustica (yarrow), Baccharis dracunculifolia, Croton cajucara (sacaca), Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese red cedar), Coriandrum sativum (coriander), Eugenia caryophyllata (clove), Lippia sidoides, Ocimum americanum (basil), and Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary). Constituents worth mentioning include menthol and eugenol.  From:  Freires, I. A., Denny, C., Benso, B., de Alencar, S. M., & Rosalen, P. L. (2015). Antibacterial activity of essential oils and their isolated constituents against cariogenic bacteria: a systematic review. Molecules, 20(4), 7329-7358.

SPASMOLYTIC

• Flavonoids from a tea preparation of yarrow had a spasmolytic effect on guinea pig ilea.  From:  Lemmens-Gruber, R., Marchart, E., Rawnduzi, P., Engel, N., Benedek, B., & Kopp, B. (2006). Investigation of the spasmolytic activity of the flavonoid fraction of Achillea millefolium sl on isolated guinea-pig ilea. Arzneimittelforschung, 56(08), 582-588.
• Yarrow extracts had a relaxatory effect on rat ileum.  From:  Moradi, M., Rafieian-Koupaei, M., Imani-Rastabi, R., Nasiri, J., Shahrani, M., Rabiei, Z., & Alibabaei, Z. (2013). Antispasmodic effects of yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) extract in the isolated ileum of rat. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 10(6), 499-503.
• Yarrow extracts inhibited ileum contractions in vivo. From: Sedighi, M., Nasri, H., Rafieian-Kopaei, M., & Mortazaei, S. (2013). Reversal effect of Achillea millefolium extract on ileum contractions. Journal of HerbMed Pharmacology, 2.

ANALGESIC

• Extracts from yarrow and mugwort had a peripheral antinociceptive effect in vivo. From: Pires, J. M., Mendes, F. R., Negri, G., Duarte‐Almeida, J. M., & Carlini, E. A. (2009). Antinociceptive peripheral effect of Achillea millefolium L. and Artemisia vulgaris L.: both plants known popularly by brand names of analgesic drugs. Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives, 23(2), 212-219.

HEPATOPROTECTIVE

• Extract of Achillea millefolium exhibited a hepatoprotective effect in mice.  From:  Yaeesh, S., Jamal, Q., Khan, A. U., & Gilani, A. H. (2006). Studies on hepatoprotective, antispasmodic and calcium antagonist activities of the aqueous‐methanol extract of Achillea millefolium. Phytotherapy Research, 20(7), 546-551.
• Compounds in yarrow had a choleretic effect in rat liver.  From:  Benedek, B., Geisz, N., Jäger, W., Thalhammer, T., & Kopp, B. (2006). Choleretic effects of yarrow (Achillea millefolium sl) in the isolated perfused rat liver. Phytomedicine, 13(9), 702-706.

INSECTICIDAL

• Achillea millefolium, Lavandula angustifolia, Helichrysum italicum, Foeniculum vulgare, Myrtus communis, and Rosmarinus officinalis showed insecticidal activity against a mosquito species.   Conti, B., Canale, A., Bertoli, A., Gozzini, F., & Pistelli, L. (2010). Essential oil composition and larvicidal activity of six Mediterranean aromatic plants against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae). Parasitology research, 107(6), 1455-1461.
• Essential oils of A. millefolium, A. dracunculus and H. persicum were effective as fumigants against  P. interpunctella, a stored-product insect.  From:  Ebadollahi, A., & Ashouri, S. (2011). Toxicity of Essential Oils Isolated from Achillea millefolium L., Artemisia dracunculus L. and Heracleum persicum Desf. Against Adults of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner)(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Islamic Republic of Iran. Ecologia Balkanica, 3(2).

HYPOTENSIVE

• Achillea millefollium showed a hypotensive effect in rats.  From:  de Souza, P., Gasparotto, A., Crestani, S., Stefanello, M. É. A., Marques, M. C. A., da Silva-Santos, J. E., & Kassuya, C. A. L. (2011). Hypotensive mechanism of the extracts and artemetin isolated from Achillea millefolium L.(Asteraceae) in rats. Phytomedicine, 18(10), 819-825.
• Achillea millefolium exhibited a hypotensive, cardiovascular inhibitory and bronchodilatory effects that may be effective in treating hypertension and asthma.  From:  Khan, A. U., & Gilani, A. H. (2011). Blood pressure lowering, cardiovascular inhibitory and bronchodilatory actions of Achillea millefolium. Phytotherapy Research, 25(4), 577-583.

HYPOLIPIDEMIC

• A compilation of research showed the following herbs to have a hypolipidemic effect:  yarrow, onion, garlic, dill, celery, burdock, oats, barberry, cabbage, chili pepper, safflower, chicory, chickpea, bitter orange, orange, guggul, coriander, cranberry, melon, pumpkin, artichoke, ginseng, eugenol, schelelecht, ginkgo, soy, walnut, apple, nutmeg, red yeast rice, miswak, evening primrose, basil, bulacy, orchis, avocado, plantain, blond plotitago, green bean, purslane, black cherry, pomegranate, milk thistle, brinjal, tomato, tamarind, thea, thyme, fenugreek, bilberry, grape, ginger, and corn.  From:  Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Khoddami, M., Khazraei, H. R., Dehkordil, E. B., & Rafieian-Kopaei, M. (2017). Hypolipidemic herbals with diuretic effects: A systematic review. In Biol. Sci (Vol. 8, pp. 21-28).

WEIGHT

• Yarrow extracts taken orally reduced appetite in mice. From: Nematy, M., Mazidi, M., Jafari, A., Baghban, S., Rakhshandeh, H., Norouzy, A., … & Mohammadpour, A. H. (2017). The effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium on appetite hormone in rats. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine, 7(1), 10.

SNAKE BITE ANTI-VENOM

• Plant extracts such as yarrow demonstrated snake bite antivenom capabilities.  From:  Mors, W. B., Do Nascimento, M. C., Pereira, B. M. R., & Pereira, N. A. (2000). Plant natural products active against snake bite—the molecular approach. Phytochemistry, 55(6), 627-642.

MENSTRUAL PAIN

• Pain associated with menstrual cycle was significantly reduced in female students who ingested yarrow tea during their menstrual cycle.  From:  Jenabi, E., & Fereidoony, B. (2015). Effect of Achillea millefolium on relief of primary dysmenorrhea: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology, 28(5), 402-404.
• In a double-blind randomized controlled trial study of 50 femaile studients with menstrual pains, one group ingested a chamomile supplement during the first three days of their menstrual cycle. The other group ingested a yarrow supplement. Both groups had reduced pain, but the yarrow group had better results than the chamomile group. From:   Radfar, S., Shahoie, R., Noori, B., Jalilian, F., & Nasab, L. H. (2018). Comparative Study on the Effect of Matricaria chamomile and Achillea millefolium Capsules on Primary Dysmenorrhea Intensity of Dormitory Students of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, 2018. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International, 1-7.

ALOPECIA

• This was a 6 month randomized, placebo-controlled study with 120 patients with androgenetic alopecia. An herbal shampoo containing extracts from Urtica urens leaf, Urtica dioica root, Matricaria chamomilla flower, Achillea millefolium aerial parts, Ceratonia siliqua fruit, and Equisetum arvense leaf was more effective than the placebo in preventing hair loss. From: Pekmezci, E., Dündar, C., & Türkoğlu, M. (2018). A proprietary herbal extract against hair loss in androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium: A placebo-controlled, single-blind, clinical-instrumental study. Acta Dermatovenerologica APA, 27(2), 51-57.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

• In a triple-blind randomized placebo-controlled parallel group trial, one year of taking a yarrow supplement as an add on therapy reduced relapse rate in multiple sclerosis patients. From: Ayoobi, F., Moghadam-Ahmadi, A., Amiri, H., Vakilian, A., Heidari, M., Farahmand, H., … & Shamsizadeh, A. (2019). Achillea millefolium is beneficial as an add-on therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytomedicine, 52, 89-97.

ANXIOLYTIC

• Achillea wilhemsii oil has anxiolytic effects on mice.  From:   Majnooni, M. B., Mohammadi-Farani, A., Gholivand, M. B., Nikbakht, M. R., & Bahrami, G. R. (2013). Chemical composition and anxiolytic evaluation of Achillea Wilhelmsii C. Koch essential oil in rat. Research in pharmaceutical sciences, 8(4), 269.
• Oral administration of yarrow had an anxyolytic effect in vivo. From: Baretta, I. P., Felizardo, R. A., Bimbato, V. F., dos Santos, M. G. J., Kassuya, C. A. L., Junior, A. G., … & Andreatini, R. (2012). Anxiolytic-like effects of acute and chronic treatment with Achillea millefolium L. extract. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 140(1), 46-54.

ESTROGENIC

• Flavone derivatives from Achillea millefolium showed estrogenic activity in vitro.  From:  Innocenti, G., Vegeto, E., Dall’Acqua, S., Ciana, P., Giorgetti, M., Agradi, E., … & Tomè, F. (2007). In vitro estrogenic activity of Achillea millefolium L. Phytomedicine, 14(2), 147-152.

GREEN GARDENING

• A yarrow essential oil high in linalool and viridifloral was antifungal against five plant pathogens in vitro. From: Giamperi, L., Bucchini, A. E. A., Ricci, D., Papa, F., & Maggi, F. (2018). Essential Oil of Achillea ligustica (Asteraceae) as an Antifungal Agent against Phytopathogenic Fungi. Natural Product Communications, 13(9), 1934578X1801300918.

URINARY SYSTEM / KIDNEYS

• In a randomized controlled trial with 31 kidney disease patients, those taking a 1.5 g of yarrow flower powder 3 days a week for 2 months showed marginally lower plasma nitric oxide metabolites. From: Vahid, S., Dashti-Khavidaki, S., Ahmadi, F., Amini, M., & Surmaghi, M. H. S. (2012). Effect of herbal medicine achillea millefolium on plasma nitrite and nitrate levels in patients with chronic kidney disease: a preliminary study. Iranian journal of kidney diseases, 6(5), 350.

By: Kathy Sadowski

Last Updated: 5/15/2022