Yarrow
Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium
Common Names: Old Man’s Pepper, Soldier’s Woundwort, Staunchweed, Little Feather, Field Hops [1]
Historical Names: Milfoil, Knight’s Milfoil, Herbe Militaris, Thousand Weed, Nose Bleed, Carpenter’s Weed, Bloodwort, Sanguinary, Devil’s Nettle. Devil’s Plaything, Bad Man’s Plaything, Yarroway, Gearwe (Saxon), Yerw (Dutch), Field Hop (Swedish) [5]
Plant Part Used: Aerial parts [4]
Taxonomy
Subclass: Asteridae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Achillea
Species: Achillea millefolium [5]
Kingdom: Plantae
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
Superdivision: Spermatophyta
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Population Status
Native Range: Temperate regions in North America, Asia, and Europe [7].
Current Geographic Distribution: Located in most temperate regions [7].
Conservation Status: Secure [8].
Actions & Energetics
Plant Part Typically Used: Aerial Parts [7].
Herbal Actions: Anti-catarrhal, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial, Anti-rheumatic, Anti-spasmodic, Astringent, Bitter, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Hepatic, Hypotensive, Stimulant [4] Anti-pyretic, Carminative, Hemostatic[10]
Herbal Energetics: Warming, Drying [10].
Taste: Flowers and leaves have a bitter, astringent, pungent taste [6]
Botanical Profile
General Appearance:
Stem is angular, rough. Appears hairy [6]. grows to approximately 3 ft. tall and has no branches except near the top [7].
Flower:
White to pale lilac, resembling tiny daisies. flattened, terminal, loose heads or cymes [6]. 20-25 ray flowers and similarly colored disc flowers [7].
Leaves:
Alternately arranged, lanceolate, 3-4” long, 1” broad. Clasping stem at base. Bipinnate, very finely cut segments with a feathery appearance [6].
Roots
Typically a thick mat of creeping rhizomes [11]
Fruit
Cypsela [7].
Seed
Light tan at maturity, seeds mature in late summer and early fall [7].
Constituents
0.3%-1.4% volatile oil (alpha and beta-pinene, borneol, bornyl acetate, camphor, alpha-caryophyllene, 1,8 cineole); sesquiterpene lactones (achillicin, achillin, achillifolin, millifin, millifolide); 3%-4% tannins; flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, isorhamnetic, rutin); alkaloids (betonicine, stachydrine, achiceine, moschatine, trigonelline, etc.); phenolic acids (caffeic, salicylic); comarins [4]. Thujone [9]
Safety
General Safety Notes: Therapeutic Herb Impacts body systems more than nourishing herbs. Side effects are possible, however if used appropriately it may be used for a period of days of months. [2] Hypersensitivity to yarrow and other members of the Asteraceae family has been reported [4] Contains thujone which can cause CNS stimulation and possibly seizures in epileptics [9].
Safety in Pregnancy or Breastfeeding: Some authorities caution against usnig Achillea during pregnancy. No restrictions are suggested during lactation [4]. Some decrease in fetal weight was observed in rats given a high dose of yarrow extract during days 8-15 in pregnancy. No effect was noticed on days 1-7 [12].
Safety in Childhood: Presumed safe. Yarrow has been used extensively in the treatment of juvenile fevers.
Safety in Senior Citizens: No specific data has been found, however there is some evidence that yarrow may inhibit some CYP enzymes, so their may be an increased toxicity risk in elderly individuals that typically have slower drug clearance than younger adults.] [12].
Foraging
Habitat: Weedy. Grows in grass, meadows, pastures, roadsides, etc [6].
Time of Year to Harvest: Flowers June from September [6].
Harvesting Guidelines: Ornamental varieties are frequently grown in home gardens. Be sure when foraging that you are selecting specifically for Achillea millefolium, which typically has white flowers. Yellow, pink, red, etc., shades are typically representative of ornamental yarrow. [1]
Processing Guidelines: Leaves press very well [3]. To collect seeds, collect entire infloresence and let dry before collecting [7].
Cultivation
Propagation: Does well with direct sowing [7].
Soil: Medium tolerance for CaCO3 [7].
Sun: Full sun to partial shade [7].
Water: Highly drought toleratnt [7].
Fertilizer: Generally prefers lean soils and needs little fertilizer. Apply slow-release fertilizer once a year in the early spring when new growth emerges [13].
Western Herbalism
Cardiology
Diuretic action helps remove excess fluids [4].
Hypotensive agent, reduces blood pressure through dilation of peripheral vessels. [4].
Tones blood vessels and improves circulation [4][9].
Particularly good at lowering diastolic pressure [9].
Dermatology
Aids in wound healing [4].
Emergency
Crushed or powdered yarrow can be applied to wounds or taken internally to help stem bleeding [10]
Gastroenterology
Stimulates digestion [4]
Volatile oils help reduce colic and flatulence [9]
May help control IBS and gastritis symptoms [9]
Gentle bitter than can improve saliva output and accelerate gastric emptying [9].
Combined with witch hazel, bayberry, and oak bark for the treatment of hemorrhoids [10]
Gynecology
Specifically indicated for female urogenital problems [10].
useful for amenorrhea, menorrhagia, and vaginal leucorrhea cause by poor pelvic circulation [10].
Immunology
Antimicrobial activity has been observed against a range of bacteria [4]
Vasodilating action may help reduce fevers [9]
Pediatrics
Used as a gentle diaphoretic in the treatment of cold and flu in children [9].
Urology
May have antimicrobial properties beneficial for the genitourinary tract [4].
Indicated in infections such as cystitis. Is best used fresh for this purpose [4]
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Herb Name: Ya Luo [14]
Meridians: Spleen, Lungs, Kidney [14]
Key Actions: Moves Qi, Moves Blood, Reduces Inflammation, Resolves Dampness, Heals Wounds, Stops Bleeding, Tonifies Qi, Releases to the Exterior [14]
Medicinal Uses: Angina, chest pain, shortness of breath, abdominal cramping, headaches, vertigo, palpitations, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, bladder infections, urinary stones, frequent urination, spermatorrhea, leucorrhea, wounds, cuts, measles, chickenpox, flu, colds, fever, wounds, oozing skin conditions, acne, heavy menses, delayed menses, arthritis, bloating, diarrhea. [14]
Ayurvedic Medicine
Herb Name: Biranjasipha, Gordaldo, Puthkanda, Bhut Kesi, Rojmaari, Achchilliya, Rajmari, Tukhm gandana, Buiranjasif, Brinjasuf, Gandana [15]
Usage: Used as a bitter vasodilator, useful in fevers where the goal is to improve circulation without creating too much heat. [16]
Ayurveda Body Types: Pacifies Kapha, Pitta, and Vata [16]
Preparations
Simples
Coming Soon
Blends
Coming Soon
Recipes
Coming Soon
History & Folklore
The name Achillea stems from the Greek Achilles, hero of the Illiad, whose bleeding ankle was treated with yarrow [6].
Scottish highlanders used it to produce a wound ointment [6].
Tea used in the Orkney’s for dispelling melancholy [6].
A rolled up leaf was placed in the nostrils to induce a nosebleed believed to alleviate headaches [6].
It was considered an herb dedicated to “the evil one” and was used in divination spells. [6].
In eastern countries it was used as a means of deviation where a leaf was placed in the nostrils while the following lines were spoken:
‘yarroway, yarroway, bear a white blow, If my love love me, my nose will bleed now.”
If this resulted in a bleeding nose, it was considered an omen of success [6].
An ounce of Yarrow sewn up in flannel and placed under the pillow was believed to bring visions of a future husband or wife [6].
Native Americans used a tea made of yarrow to cure stomach disorders [7]
Similar Species
References
[1] Herbal Academy. (n.d.). Herbal Materia Medica Course [Online course]. The Herbal Academy. Retrieved August 9, 2025, from https://theherbalacademy.com/product/herbal-materia-medica-course/
[2] Herbal Academy. (n.d.). Herbal Safety Continuum Scale.
[3] Herbal Academy. (n.d.). Flower Pressing for Herbalists [Online Course]. The Herbal Academy. Retrieved August 25, 2025 from https://theherbalacademy.com/product/flower-pressing-herbalists-workshop/
[4] Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine. Healing Arts Press.
[5] United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. (n.d.). Achillea millefolium L. [Plant profile for symbol ACMI2]. In The PLANTS Database. Retrieved August 31, 2025, from https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/ACMI2
[6] Grieve, M. (1971). A modern herbal: The medicinal, culinary, cosmetic and economic properties, cultivation and folklore of herbs, grasses, fungi, shrubs & trees with all their modern scientific uses (Vol. 2). Dover Publications.
[7] Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. (n.d.). Achillea millefolium L. — Common yarrow [Profile page]. In Native Plants of North America. Retrieved September 3, 2025, from https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=acmi2
[8] NatureServe. (n.d.). Achillea millefolium [Data overview]. In NatureServe Explorer (n.d.). Retrieved September 3, 2025, from https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.134462/Achillea_millefolium
[9] Bone, K., & Mills, S. (2013). Principles and practice of phytotherapy: Modern herbal medicine (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.
[10] Tierra, M. (1998). The way of herbs (3rd ed.). Pocket Books.
[11] The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. (n.d.). Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) [Species profile]. In Ohio perennial and biennial weed guide. Retrieved September 3, 2025, from https://weedguide.cfaes.osu.edu/singlerecord.asp?id=34
[12] Gardner, Z., & McGuffin, M. (Eds.). (2013). American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook (2nd ed.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780367803841
[13] Small, R. (2022, July 7). Fertilizing Yarrow. Plant Addicts. Retrieved September 3, 2025, from https://plantaddicts.com/fertilizing-yarrow/ youtube.com+15plantaddicts.com+15plantaddicts.com+15
[14] White Rabbit Institute of Healing™. (n.d.). Yarrow (Ya Luo) [Herb profile]. In White Rabbit Institute of Healing™. Retrieved September 3, 2025, from https://www.whiterabbitinstituteofhealing.com/herbs/yarrow/
[15] Mishra, P. (2022, August 29). Yarrow: Benefits, precautions and dosage [Webpage]. In 1mg Ayurveda. Retrieved September 3, 2025, from https://www.1mg.com/ayurveda/yarrow-232
[16] Joyful Belly. (n.d.). Yarrow [Herb product page]. In Joyful Belly Ayurveda. Retrieved September 3, 2025, from https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/product/Yarrow/533 (joyfulbelly.com)