Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the botanical family Asteraceae. It is characterized by slender stems, very finely divided (almost feathery) leaves, and small white or whitish-pink flower heads grouped in corymb-like inflorescences. It grows wild in meadows, field margins and hilly or mountainous areas, and has long been considered an aromatic and medicinal plant.
As a food ingredient, yarrow is mainly used in the form of dried flowering tops to prepare herbal teas and infusions with a slightly bitter, herbaceous and aromatic taste. In small amounts it can be included in herbal tea blends, liqueurs and bitters, contributing its distinctive aromatic notes. Occasionally, the young leaves, in moderate quantities, are used in mixed salads or as a flavoring in rustic dishes based on grains or vegetables.
There are many species of Achillea, among which:
- Achillea millefolium
- Achillea aucheri
- Achillea biebersteinii
- Achillea coarctata
- Achillea alpina
- Achillea monocephala
- Achillea eriophora
- Achillea cretica
- Achillea fragrantissima
- Achillea asiatica
Botanical Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Order: Asterales
- Family: Asteraceae
- Genus: Achillea
- Species: Achillea millefolium
Plant Characteristics
Achillea millefolium grows up to 1 meter (3 feet) in height and features finely divided, feathery leaves that give the plant a lacy appearance. The flowers are grouped in dense, flat-topped clusters and can range in color from white to pink and red. It blooms in the summer and is often used in gardens for its vibrant flowers and attractive foliage.
Chemical Composition and Structure
The plant contains several bioactive compounds, including:
- Flavonoids: Such as quercetin and apigenin, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Essential Oils: Containing monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes that provide aromatic and therapeutic benefits.
- Saponins and Phenolic Acids: Contributing to the plant’s medicinal effects.
Cultivation
Achillea millefolium is a hardy plant that thrives in well-drained, sunny locations. It prefers slightly alkaline soil but can adapt to a range of soil conditions. It is drought-tolerant and does well in low-maintenance gardens. The plant can be propagated from seeds or by dividing its roots and will flower abundantly with proper care.
Uses and Benefits
Medicinal: Traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and antispasmodic properties. It is used to treat wounds, digestive disorders, and respiratory conditions. Extracts can be used in teas and ointments.
Cosmetic: Extracts of Achillea millefolium are included in skincare products for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. They are used in creams and lotions to treat irritated and inflamed skin.
Ornamental: Commonly grown in gardens for its beauty and decorative foliage, as well as for its resilience and ease of cultivation.
Applications
Medicinal: Herbal remedies for its healing, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties. Used in topical preparations and infusions.
Cosmetic: Ingredients in skincare products, such as creams and lotions, for treating irritations and inflammation.
Ornamental: Used in garden design and landscaping for its aesthetic appeal and environmental tolerance.
Environmental and Safety Considerations
Achillea millefolium is generally safe for ornamental and therapeutic use. However, individuals with allergies to Asteraceae family plants should exercise caution. It is important to manage the plant to prevent excessive spreading in gardens and natural areas.
Studies
The main components found in its extract are the volatile camphor oils, linalool and others and the flavonoids apigenin, rutin, luteolin (1).
Yarrow extracts have demonstrated a clear anti-inflammatory property with a positive impact on skin pH and moisture content and pharmacological activity against gastric ulcers (2).
For more information:
Yarrow studies
References_______________________________________________________________________
(1) Orav A, Arak E, Raal A. Phytochemical analysis of the essential oil of Achillea millefolium L. from various European Countries. Natural product research. 2006;20:1082–1088.
Abstract. Variations in the essential oil composition of Achillea millefolium L. growing in Estonia and in other European countries, were determined. The oils were obtained in yields of 0.9-9.5 mL kg-1. A total of 102 components were identified. The quantitatively most important components of yarrow were sabinene, beta-pinene, 1,8-cineole, artemisia ketone, linalool, alpha-thujone, beta-thujone, camphor, borneol, fenchyl acetate, bornyl acetate, (E)-beta-caryophyllene, germacrene D, caryophyllene oxide, beta-bisabolol, delta-cadinol, chamazulene etc. Samples from Estonia contained high amounts of monoterpenes and chamazulene. High amounts of monoterpenes and chamazulene were also found in samples from Hungary, Greek, Moldavia, Latvia, Lithuania and Germany. The oils from France, Belgium, Russia, Armenia, Spain and Italy were rich in oxygenated monoterpenes and contained a little amount of chamazulene. The drugs from Greece, Estonia, Moldavia and Scotland were rich in sesquiterpenes. The Millefolii herba grown in Estonia conforms to the European Pharmacopoeia (EP) standards in the aspect of the essential oil contents.
Vitalini S, Beretta G, Iriti M, Orsenigo S, Basilico N, Dall'Acqua S, Iorizzi M, Fico G. Phenolic compounds from Achillea millefolium L. and their bioactivity. Acta Biochim Pol. 2011;58(2):203-9. Epub 2011 Apr 19. PMID: 21503279.
Abstract. Since antiquity, Achillea millefolium L. (Asteraceae) has been used in traditional medicine of several cultures, from Europe to Asia. Its richness in bioactive compounds contributes to a wide range of medicinal properties. In this study, we assessed A. millefolium methanolic extract and its isolated components for free radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-pycrilhydrazyl, total antioxidant capacity (based on the reduction of Cu(++) to Cu(+)), and ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation. The activity against chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum was also tested. Chlorogenic acid, its derivatives and some flavonoids isolated by semipreparative HPLC and identified by NMR and spectrometric techniques were the major bioactive constituents of the methanolic extract. The latter exhibited significant antioxidant properties, as well as its flavonol glycosides and chlorogenic acids. With regard to the antiplasmodial activity, apigenin 7-glucoside was the most effective compound, followed by luteolin 7-glucoside, whereas chlorogenic acids were completely inactive. On the whole, our results confirmed A. millefolium as an important source of bioactive metabolites, justifying its pharmaceutical and ethnobotanical use.
(2) Alomair MK, Alabduladheem LS, Almajed MA, Alobaid AA, Alkhalifah EAR, Younis NS, Mohamed ME. Achillea millefolium Essential Oil Mitigates Peptic Ulcer in Rats through Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway. Molecules. 2022 Nov 15;27(22):7908. doi: 10.3390/molecules27227908. PMID: 36432009; PMCID: PMC9692697.
Abstract. Extreme ethanol ingestion is associated with developing gastric ulcers. Achillea millefolium (yarrow) is one of the most commonly used herbs with numerous proven pharmacological actions. The goal of the hereby investigation is to explore the gastroprotective action of yarrow essential oil against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers and to reveal the unexplored mechanisms. Rats were distributed into five groups (n = 6); the control group administered 10% Tween 20, orally, for two weeks; the ethanol group administered absolute ethanol (5 mL/kg) to prompt gastric ulcer on the last day of the experiment. Yarrow essential oil 100 or 200 mg/kg + ethanol groups pretreated with yarrow oil (100 or 200 mg/kg, respectively), orally, for two weeks prior to gastric ulcer induction by absolute ethanol. Lanso + ethanol group administered 20 mg/kg lansoprazole, orally, for two weeks prior to gastric ulcer induction by ethanol. Results of the current study showed that ethanol caused several macroscopic and microscopic alterations, amplified lipid peroxidation, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and apoptotic markers, as well as diminished PGE2, NO, and antioxidant enzyme activities. On the other hand, animals pretreated with yarrow essential oil exhibited fewer macroscopic and microscopic modifications, reduced ulcer surface, and increased Alcian blue binding capacity, pH, and pepsin activity. In addition, yarrow essential oil groups exhibited reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, apoptotic markers, and MDA, restored the PGE2 and NO levels, and recovered the antioxidant enzyme activities. Ethanol escalated Nrf2 and HO-1 expressions, whereas pretreatment of yarrow essential oil caused further intensification in Nrf2 and HO-1. To conclude, the current study suggested yarrow essential oil as a gastroprotective agent against ethanol-induced gastric lesions. This gastroprotective effect could be related to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic actions of the essential oil through the instigation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
Yarrow 
Apigenin
