Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesSide EffectsPrecautionsInteractions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Side Effects
Precautions
Interactions
ChristopherBernard / Getty Images
Yarrow is a flowering plant that has been used medicinally for more than 3,000 years.As a supplement, it is available in various forms, including teas, capsules, essential oil, ointments, and tinctures.
Verywell / Getty Images
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products (such as the USP, Consumer Labs, or NSF)and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Benefits
Yarrow’s active ingredients supposedly work as antibiotics, antioxidants, andantiproliferatives(agents that slow cell growth).Studies suggest it may be useful for the following:
Other Common Uses of Yarrow
While data in humans is lacking, some people use yarrow supplements for the following conditions. (Studies on the plant’s effect on these conditions were done either on animals or using cells, so further research in humans is needed.)
Yarrow is generally considered safe when used at the levels recommended on product labels, but possible side effects may include:
Some groups of people may face additional risks from taking yarrow. Do not take this supplement if you are:
Consult your healthcare provider before using yarrow if you currently take any of the following medications:
Summary
Yarrow is used for many health conditions, and may be helpful in treating skin irritation, wounds, and menstrual pain.However, more robust research is needed to substantiate its benefits.
It’s also important to note that the name “yarrow” applies to about 140 closely related plant varieties in the genus Achillea, and many studies haven’t been clear about the variety used. This makes it difficult to compare research results and draw conclusions.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
20 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ali SI, Gopalakrishnan B, Venkatesalu V.Pharmacognosy, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of Achillea millefoliumL.: A Review.Phytotherapy Research. 2017;31(8):1140-1161. doi:10.1002/ptr.5840
Dosoky NS, Setzer WN.Maternal reproductive toxicity of some essential oils and their constituents.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021;22(5):2380. doi:10.3390/ijms22052380
Tadić V, Arsić I, Zvezdanović J, et al.The estimation of the traditionally used yarrow ( Achillea millefolium L. Asteraceae) oil extracts with anti-inflamatory potential in topical application.Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2017;199:138-148. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.02.002
Hajhashemi M, Ghanbari Z, Movahedi M, et al.The effect of Achillea millefolium and Hypericum perforatum ointments on episiotomy wound healing in primiparous women.The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine. 2018;31(1):63-69. doi:10.1080/14767058.2016.1275549
Jenabi E, Fereidoony B.Effect ofAchillea Millefoliumon relief of primary dysmenorrhea: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. 2015;28(5):402-404. doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2014.12.008
Ayoobi F, Moghadam-Ahmadi A, Amiri H, et al.Achillea millefoliumis beneficial as an add-on therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.Phytomedicine. 2019;52:89-97. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2018.06.017
Moradi M, Rafieian-Koupaei M, Imani-Rastabi R, et al.Antispasmodic effects of yarrow (Achillea millefolium l.) extract in the isolated ileum of rat.African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 2013;10(6):499. doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v10i6.19
Grigore A, Colceru-Mihul S, Bazdoaca C, et al.Antimicrobial activity of an Achillea millefolium L.Proceedings. 2020;57(1):34. doi:10.3390/proceedings2020057034
Tilwani K, Patel A, Parikh H, et al.Investigation on anti-Corona viral potential of Yarrow tea.Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics.2022:1-13. doi:10.1080/07391102.2022.2082532
Khan A, Akram M, thiruvengadem M, et al.Anti-anxiety properties of selected medicinal plants.Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology.2022;23 (8): 1041-1060. doi:10.2174/1389201022666210122125131
Okkay U, Ferah Okkay I, Aydin IC, et al.Effects ofAchillea millefoliumon cisplatin induced ocular toxicity: an experimental study.Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology. 2021;40(3):214-220. doi:10.1080/15569527.2021.1919137
Nemeth E, Bernath J.Biological activities of yarrow species (Achillea spp.).Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2008;14(29):3151-3167. doi:10.2174/138161208786404281
Calapai G, Miroddi M, Minciullo PL, et al.Contact dermatitis as an adverse reaction to some topically used European herbal medicinal products - part 1:Achillea millefolium-Curcuma longa.Contact Dermatitis. 2014;71(1):1-12. doi:10.1111/cod.12222
Natural Resources Conservation Service.Common yarrow (achillea millefolium L.) plant guide.
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de Sousa DP, de Almeida Soares Hocayen P, Andrade LN, Andreatini R.A systematic review of the anxiolytic-like effects of essential oils in animal models.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2015;20(10):18620-18660. doi:10.3390/molecules201018620
Malhi GS, Bell E, Outhred T, Berk M.Lithium therapy and its interactions.Aust Prescr. 2020;43(3):91-93. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2020.024
Mohammadhosseini M, Sarker SD, Akbarzadeh A.Chemical composition of the essential oils and extracts of Achillea species and their biological activities: a review.Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2017;199:257-315. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.02.010.
Ali SI, Gopalarkrishnan B, Venkatesalu V.Pharmacognosy, phyochemistry and pharmacological properties of Achillea millefolium L.: A review.Phytotherapy research: PTR.2017 Aug;31(8):1140-1161. doi:10.1002/ptr.5840.Altinterim B, Danabas D, Aksu O.The effects of common yarrow (Achillea millefolium Linnaeus), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) and rosemary (Rosemarinus officianalis Linnaeus) hydrosols on the some immunological and hematological parameters of common carp(Cyprinus carpio L., 1758). Cellular and Molecular Biology. 2018 Nov 30;64(14):19-24.De Sousa DP, de Almeida Soares Hocayen P, Andrade LN, Andreatini R.A systemic review of the anxiolytic-like effects of essential oils in animal models.Molecules. 2015 Oct 14;20(10):18620-60. doi:10.3390/molecules201018620.Dorjsembe G, Lee HJ, Kim M, et al.Achillea asiatica extract and its active compounds induce cutaneous wound healing.Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2017 Jul 12;206:306-314. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.06.006.Hajhashemi M, Ghanbari Z, Movahedi M, et al.The effect of Achillea millefolium and Hypericum perforatum ointments on episiotomy wound healing in primiparious women.The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine. 2018 Jan;31(1):63-69. doi:10.1080/14767058.2016.1275549.Mohammadhosseini M, Sarker SD, Akbarzadeh A.Chemical composition of the essential oils and extracts of Achillea species and their biological activities: A review.Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2017 Mar 6;199:257-315. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.02.010.Moradi MT, Rafienian-Koupaei M, Imani-Rastabi R, et al.Antispasmodic effects of yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) extract in the isolated ileum of rat.African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines. 2013 Oct 3;10(6):499-503. eCollection 2013.
Ali SI, Gopalarkrishnan B, Venkatesalu V.Pharmacognosy, phyochemistry and pharmacological properties of Achillea millefolium L.: A review.Phytotherapy research: PTR.2017 Aug;31(8):1140-1161. doi:10.1002/ptr.5840.
Altinterim B, Danabas D, Aksu O.The effects of common yarrow (Achillea millefolium Linnaeus), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) and rosemary (Rosemarinus officianalis Linnaeus) hydrosols on the some immunological and hematological parameters of common carp(Cyprinus carpio L., 1758). Cellular and Molecular Biology. 2018 Nov 30;64(14):19-24.
De Sousa DP, de Almeida Soares Hocayen P, Andrade LN, Andreatini R.A systemic review of the anxiolytic-like effects of essential oils in animal models.Molecules. 2015 Oct 14;20(10):18620-60. doi:10.3390/molecules201018620.
Dorjsembe G, Lee HJ, Kim M, et al.Achillea asiatica extract and its active compounds induce cutaneous wound healing.Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2017 Jul 12;206:306-314. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.06.006.
Hajhashemi M, Ghanbari Z, Movahedi M, et al.The effect of Achillea millefolium and Hypericum perforatum ointments on episiotomy wound healing in primiparious women.The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine. 2018 Jan;31(1):63-69. doi:10.1080/14767058.2016.1275549.
Mohammadhosseini M, Sarker SD, Akbarzadeh A.Chemical composition of the essential oils and extracts of Achillea species and their biological activities: A review.Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2017 Mar 6;199:257-315. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.02.010.
Moradi MT, Rafienian-Koupaei M, Imani-Rastabi R, et al.Antispasmodic effects of yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) extract in the isolated ileum of rat.African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines. 2013 Oct 3;10(6):499-503. eCollection 2013.
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