AKA: Achillea millefolium, Common Yarrow, Gordaldo, Nosebleed plant, Old Man's Pepper, Sanguinary, Milfoil, Soldier's Woundwort, Thousand-leaf (as its binomial name affirms), Thousand-seal

Yarrow, a member of the aster family, is closely related to chrysanthemums and chamomile. It flourishes in a sunny and warm habitat, and is frequently found in meadows and along roadsides, as well as on dry, sunny slopes. It grows as a simple, upright, and hairy stem, usually under 3 feet. Yarrow blooms between June and September. The flowers are typically white, but either pink or pale purple flowers are common in mountain areas.

Legend has it that yarrow (Achillea millefolium) was named after Achilles, the Greek mythical figure who used it to stop the bleeding wounds of his soldiers. Popular in European folk medicine, lab tests how that yarrow contains flavonoids (plant-based chemicals) that increase saliva and stomach acid, helping to improve digestion. Yarrow may also relax smooth muscle in the intestine and uterus, which can relieve stomach and menstrual cramps.

Benefits and Uses  

• anti-inflammatory
• antiseptic
• antispasmotics
• cures cuts, wounds, burns and ulcers
• increases appetite
• lowers blood pressure
• diuretic
• stops diarrhea and dysentery
• heals varicose veins, phlebitis and trombosis
• relieves cistitis
• soothes painful joints
• diuretic
• removes toxins from your body
• reduces fever through sweating
• Helps with amenorrhea (irregular menstrual cycle)
• The herb contains sterols, which have actions similar to hormones and aids in controlling the menstrual cycle.

Dosage

• Tea: Steep 1 - 2 tsp. dried herb in one cup boiling water, strain and cool. Drink three times per day.
• Capsules: 2 - 4 g, three times per day
• Extract (1:1, 25% ethanol): 1 - 4 mL (20 - 120 drops) three times per day
• Tincture (1:5; 40% ethanol): 2 - 4 mL (40 -120 drops) three times per day

Warnings

• If you are sensitive to plants in the aster family (chrysanthemums, daisies, ragweed), you may be sensitive to yarrow, either taken orally or applied topically.
• Yarrow may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
• Pregnant women should not take yarrow, because its ability to relax the smooth muscle of the uterus could cause miscarriage. No studies have evaluated yarrow's use in breastfeeding women. If you are nursing, talk to your doctor before taking yarrow.

Possible Drug Interactions

1. Medications to reduce stomach acid -- Because yarrow may increase the production of stomach acid, it can interfere with both over-the-counter and prescription drugs including:

• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Famotidine (Pepcid)
• Ranitidine (Zantac)
• Esomeprazole (Nexium)
• Omeprazole (Prilosec)
• Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

2. Medications for high blood pressure -- Yarrow may lower blood pressure slightly, and could make the effects of any prescription drugs you take to lower blood pressure stronger.

3. Drugs that cause sleepiness -- Because yarrow is a mild sedative, it can increase the effects of other drugs you take for anxiety or sleepiness. These include:

• Anticonvulsants such as phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium)

4. Drugs for insomnia, such as zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon (Sonata), eszopiclone (Lunesta), ramelteon (Rozerem)

coming soon....