Yarrow: Medicinal Uses

Products

Yarrow herb and yarrow flowers are available as open goods in pharmacies and drugstores. Extracts are made from the medicinal drugs and are available in finished medicines such as drops and film-coated tablets. Yarrow is a typical ingredient in stomach teas.

Stem plant

Common yarrow L. of the daisy family (Asteraceae) is a perennial herb native to Europe and is also common in many countries.

Medicinal drug

The European Pharmacopoeia defines medicinal herb as yarrow (Millefolii herba), the whole or cut, dried, flowering shoot tips of the plant. It requires a minimum content of essential oil and proazulenes, calculated as chamazulene. Yarrow flowers (Millefolii flos, Figure) are defined by Pharmacopoea Helvetica. They are the dried inflorescences with a defined content of essential oil. Extracts, powders, tea mixtures and tinctures, among others, are produced from the medicinal drug (Millefolii extractum).

Ingredients

The ingredients include essential oil, bitter compounds, flavonoids and tannins.

Effects

Yarrow is believed to have antispasmodic, antimicrobial, choleretic, digestive, astringent, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Indications for use

Dosage

According to the professional information and literature. The tea is prepared as an infusion.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity, including to other composites.
  • Children under 12 years (missing data)

For full precautions, see the drug label.

Interactions

Interactions with other drugs are not known to date.

Adverse effects

Possible adverse effects include hypersensitivity reactions.