Yarrow
Yarrow
Yarrow is a flowering plant that commonly grows in the regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. It is also known as “nosebleed plant” as the leaves of this plant help in blood clotting and managing nose bleeds.
Yarrow is majorly consumed in the form of tea. Yarrow tea prepared from the Yarrow leaves helps manage fever by inducing sweating due to its antipyretic and diaphoretic properties. It is also used in diarrhea due to its antispasmodic property. Consuming Yarrow leaves might also help in digestion due to its carminative property.
Yarrow has various benefits for the skin. Being astringent in nature, it helps in skin tightening. It also manages skin conditions like acne when added as an ingredient in various skin care products. Yarrow leaves can also be chewed to manage toothache due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Yarrow should be used cautiously in people having hypersensitive skin as it might cause certain side effects like contact dermatitis, skin irritation, etc[2][3][4].
Yarrow is majorly consumed in the form of tea. Yarrow tea prepared from the Yarrow leaves helps manage fever by inducing sweating due to its antipyretic and diaphoretic properties. It is also used in diarrhea due to its antispasmodic property. Consuming Yarrow leaves might also help in digestion due to its carminative property.
Yarrow has various benefits for the skin. Being astringent in nature, it helps in skin tightening. It also manages skin conditions like acne when added as an ingredient in various skin care products. Yarrow leaves can also be chewed to manage toothache due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Yarrow should be used cautiously in people having hypersensitive skin as it might cause certain side effects like contact dermatitis, skin irritation, etc[2][3][4].
What are the synonyms of Yarrow?
Achillea millefolium, Biranjasipha, Gordaldo, Old man's pepper, Devil's nettle, Common Yarrow, Sneezewort, Soldier's friend, Thousand-leaf, Gandrain, Puthkanda, Bhut Kesi, Rojmaari, Achchilliya, Rajmari, Tukhm gandana, Buiranjasif, Brinjasuf, Gandana[4].
What is the source of Yarrow?
Plant Based
Benefits of Yarrow
Modern Science View
Although enough scientific evidence is not available to support the role of Yarrow in gingivitis. A certain study state that Yarrow grass water might help manage gingivitis due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties[2][3].
Tips for using Yarrow water for gargling
a. Pour boiling water over a handful of fresh/ dried Yarrow flowers and leaves.
b. Let it steep for 15 to 20 minutes before straining.
c. Allow the water to cool before you gargle with it.
d. Gargle with this Yarrow water once or twice a day to get relief from the symptoms of gingivitis.
Tips for using Yarrow water for gargling
a. Pour boiling water over a handful of fresh/ dried Yarrow flowers and leaves.
b. Let it steep for 15 to 20 minutes before straining.
c. Allow the water to cool before you gargle with it.
d. Gargle with this Yarrow water once or twice a day to get relief from the symptoms of gingivitis.
Modern Science View
Yarrow might help in the management of symptoms related to hay fever due to its antiinflammatory property. It inhibits the mediators of inflammation responsible for stimulating allergic response. Inhaling the aroma of fresh Yarrow flowers added to boiling water promotes the secretion and removal of sputum from the air passages due to its expectorant property[3].
Modern Science View
Yarrow essential oil, when used as a chest rub, might prevent the symptoms of the common cold. It helps to dissolve and remove the mucus from respiratory passages due to its anticatarrhal properties. It also has a diaphoretic property that induces sweating and reduces symptoms of the common cold[6][8][9].
Tips for using Yarrow oil in common cold.
a. Take a few drops of Yarrow oil (as per your requirement).
b. Mix it with eucalyptus or peppermint oil.
c. Apply this mixture on the chest and rub it to get relief in case of congestion.
Tips for using Yarrow oil in common cold.
a. Take a few drops of Yarrow oil (as per your requirement).
b. Mix it with eucalyptus or peppermint oil.
c. Apply this mixture on the chest and rub it to get relief in case of congestion.
Modern Science View
Chewing fresh leaves of Yarrow might help to manage toothache due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to reduce the pain and inflammation in the affected area[3][10].
Tips for using Yarrow in toothache
a. Take a few fresh leaves of Yarrow.
b. Chew them once or twice a day to get quick relief in toothache.
Tips for using Yarrow in toothache
a. Take a few fresh leaves of Yarrow.
b. Chew them once or twice a day to get quick relief in toothache.
Modern Science View
Yarrow might help in wound healing due to the presence of certain constituents i.e., tannins. They promote contraction of wound and stimulates collagen synthesis. This helps in early wound healing[11].
Tips for using Yarrow leaves in wound healing
a. Take a few fresh leaves of Yarrow.
b. Wash them properly to clean.
c. Wrap these clean leaves over the affected area to get relief.
Tips for using Yarrow leaves in wound healing
a. Take a few fresh leaves of Yarrow.
b. Wash them properly to clean.
c. Wrap these clean leaves over the affected area to get relief.
How effective is Yarrow?
Insufficient evidence
Common cold, Hay fever, Inflammation of gums, Toothache, Wound healing
Precautions when using Yarrow
Allergy
Modern Science View
It is advisable to avoid the use of Yarrow in people having hypersensitive skin or allergic to certain herbs like St. John’s wort as it might lead to allergic reactions[2].
Side Effects
Important
Modern Science View
1. Contact dermatitis
2. Skin irritation
3. Light sensitivity[2].
2. Skin irritation
3. Light sensitivity[2].
How to use Yarrow
1. For joint pain and swelling
a. Take a few drops of Yarrow oil (or as per your requirement).
b. Mix it with olive oil.
c. Apply or massage it on the affected area to get rid of the joint pain.
2. For cough, cold or influenza
a. Take a few drops of Yarrow oil (or as per your requirement).
b. Mix it with eucalyptus or peppermint oil.
c. Apply this mixture on the chest and rub it to get relief in case of congestion.
3. For cuts, scratches or wounds
a. Take a few fresh leaves of Yarrow.
b. Wash them properly to clean.
c. Wrap these clean leaves over the affected area to get relief.
4. For gingivitis
a. Pour boiling water over a handful of fresh/ dried Yarrow flowers and leaves.
b. Let it steep for 15 to 20 minutes before straining.
c. Allow the water to cool before you gargle with it.
d. Gargle with this Yarrow water once or twice a day to get relief from symptoms of gingivitis.
5. For dental problems
a. Take a few fresh leaves of Yarrow.
b. Chew them once or twice a day to get quick relief in toothache
a. Take a few drops of Yarrow oil (or as per your requirement).
b. Mix it with olive oil.
c. Apply or massage it on the affected area to get rid of the joint pain.
2. For cough, cold or influenza
a. Take a few drops of Yarrow oil (or as per your requirement).
b. Mix it with eucalyptus or peppermint oil.
c. Apply this mixture on the chest and rub it to get relief in case of congestion.
3. For cuts, scratches or wounds
a. Take a few fresh leaves of Yarrow.
b. Wash them properly to clean.
c. Wrap these clean leaves over the affected area to get relief.
4. For gingivitis
a. Pour boiling water over a handful of fresh/ dried Yarrow flowers and leaves.
b. Let it steep for 15 to 20 minutes before straining.
c. Allow the water to cool before you gargle with it.
d. Gargle with this Yarrow water once or twice a day to get relief from symptoms of gingivitis.
5. For dental problems
a. Take a few fresh leaves of Yarrow.
b. Chew them once or twice a day to get quick relief in toothache
Frequently asked questions
Modern Science View
Yes, Yarrow leaves are edible. Yarrow leaves can be consumed in a raw or cooked form.
Modern Science View
Yes, Yarrow can be smoked as a substitute for tobacco and sometimes might help to quit smoking.
References
- Chavez Silva F, Ceron-Romero L, Arias-Duran L, et al. Antidiabetic effect of Achillea millefollium through multitarget interactions: α-glucosidases inhibition, insulin sensitization and insulin secretagogue activities. Journal of Ethnopharmacology.2018;212:1-7.
- Ulbrich CE. Natural Standard Herb & Supplement Guide- An Evidence-Based Reference. 2010.
- Lakshmi T, Geetha RV, Anitha R et al. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium Linn.) A herbal medicinal plant with broad therapeutic use- A review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research.2011;9(2):136-141.
- WebMD.Yarrow.: Uses, Side effects, Doses, Interactions [Internet].Atlanta [last updated in 2016].
- Figueiredo AC, Pais MSS, Scheffer JJC. Achillea millefolium L. ssp. millefolium (Yarrow): In Vitro Culture and Production of Essential Oils. Springer. 1995;33:1-20.
- Phelps K, Hassed C.General Practice: The Integrative Approach.Elsevier.2011.
- Moradi MT, Koupaei MR, Rastabi RI, et al. Antispasmodic Effects of Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium L.) Extract in the Isolated Ileum of Rat.Afr. J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2013;10(6):499-503.
- Ross J.Achillea. Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine.
- Hoffmann D.Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine.Simon and Schuster.2003.
- Quattrocchi U. CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology. CRC Press.2016.
- Hemmati AA, Arzi A, Amin M. Effect of Achillea millefolium extract in wound healing of rabbit. Journal of Natural remedies.2002;2(2):164-167.
- Benedek B, Kopp B, Melzig MF. Achillea millefolium L. s.l. – Is the anti-inflammatory activity mediated by protease inhibition?. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2007;113(2007):312-317.
- Khan AU, Gilani A. Blood Pressure Lowering, Cardiovascular Inhibitory and Bronchodilatory Actions of Achillea millefolium. Phytotherapy research. 2011;25:577-583.
- Pennacchio M, Jefferson L, Havens K. Uses and Abuses of Plant-Derived Smoke: Its Ethnobotany as Hallucinogen. Oxford University Press. 2010
- Applequist WL and Moerman DE. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.): A Neglected Panacea? A Review of Ethnobotany, Bioactivity, and Biomedical Research. Econ Botany. 2011. 65(2):209-225.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.