Common Yarrow
Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Achillea millefolium, commonly known as Yarrow or Milfoil, is a perennial member of the Aster Family that has been used in medicine for more than three thousand years (Radušiene and Gudaityte 2005). Growing throughout the Northern Hemisphere, it was named for its supposed use in treating the Trojan hero Achilles, and for its finely divided leaves (Benedek and Kopp 2007). Common Yarrow is thought to have numerous health benefits, possessing anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hemostatic, antidiabetic, antitumor, antioxidant, antifungal, and antiseptic properties (Ali et al. 2017). It is commonly used in teas, essential oils, and extracts (Ali et al. 2017).
Historical Use
John Gerard’s The Herball, in an edition of 1633, includes multiple recommendations for using Common Yarrow, including: chewing it to help relieve toothache, putting its leaves up the nose to relieve migraines, drinking a decoction to relieve dysentery, and applying it to wounds to prevent inflammation and reduce pain.
Latest Research
- Evaluation of Phytochemical Constituents, Antioxidant Potential, and Toxicological Profile of Selected Medicinal Plants from Romania’s Spontaneous Flora
by Lidia-Ioana Virchea on May 13, 2026 at 10:00 amThe aim of this study was to analyze the composition and dual beneficial and toxic effects of Achillea millefolium L., Mentha longifolia L., and Thymus serpyllum L. extracts. The phenolic profile, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, and drosopterin eye content (DEC) were determined by modern methods. The viability and developmental time of D. melanogaster were assessed by a diet-dependent viability test. The results show that the phenolic profile varied depending on the extract…
- Ethnobotanical heritage and conservation priorities of medicinal flora in a remote Himalayan border region of Azad Kashmir, Pakistanby Aakash Ayoub on February 14, 2026 at 11:00 am
The present study is the first quantitative ethnobotanical report on the traditional and new uses of medicinal plants by the inhabitants of a remote and unexplored area in Tehsil Abbaspur, District Poonch, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. The area is disputed territory on the edge of the Line of Control between India and Pakistan and is rich in plant diversity and socio-economic culture. During the field studies, data was collected from 62 informants using structured and semi-structured…
- Cytotoxic effects of five Iranian medicinal plants on pancreatic cancer cell lines and investigation of induced changes in the expression of several key genesby Sahar Akrami on July 22, 2025 at 10:00 am
Cancer is a deadly and fast-spreading disease that is a growing health problem worldwide due to a lack of comprehensive screening and appropriate medication. However, natural products derived from medicinal plants have gained attention as potential sources of bioactive compounds that selectively remove cancerous lesions and are nontoxic and safe. Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a major therapeutic challenge and is predicted to surpass breast cancer as the third leading cause of cancer death. This…
- Assessment of Trace and Macro Elements in Medicinal Plants: Implications for Safety and Phytoremediationby Ziba Hurseresht on July 2, 2025 at 10:00 am
The utilization of medicinal plants in Iran and other parts of the world is increasing, and there is a need to study the levels of macro and trace elements, including toxic elements, in medicinal plants. This study analyzed trace and macro elements in 42 medicinal plant samples from a medicinal plant garden in Hamadan city, western Iran. The average trace element contents (mg kg^(-1) dry weight) in the aerial parts were 1.29 mg kg^(-1) for Cd, 10.5 mg kg^(-1) for Cu, 75.5 mg kg^(-1) for Fe, 41.3…
- Trace Element and Mineral Content in Medicinal Plants Collected in the Altai Mountains Foothillsby Alexey A Tinkov on April 21, 2025 at 10:00 am
The objective of the present study was to assess the patterns of trace element and mineral accumulation in 21 medicinal plants collected in the Altai Mountains foothills. The levels of trace elements and minerals in Hippophae rhamnoides, Aronia melanocarpa, Sorbus aucuparia, Viburnum opulus, Rosa canina, Crataegus sanguinea (fruits), Chamaenerion angustifolium, Echinacea purpurea, Fagopyrum esculentum, Trifolium pratense, Origanum vulgare, Achillea millefolium, Mentha piperita (herbs), Plantago…
References
Ali, S. I., et al. (2017). “Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties of Achillea millefolium L.: A Review.” Phytother Res 31(8): 1140–1161.
Benedek, B., and B. Kopp (2007). “Achillea millefolium L. s.l. revisited: recent findings confirm the traditional use.” Wien Med Wochenschr 157(13–14): 312–314.
Radušiene, J. and O. Gudaityte (2005). “Distribution of proazulenes in Achillea millefolium s.l. wild populations in relation to phytosociological dependence and morphological characters.” Plant Genetic Resources 3(2): 136–143.
Other References
Natural Medicines record: Yarrow