Yarrow Herb Profile

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Uses and benefits of Yarrow Leaves and Flowers- a great soothing and healing herb
Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Remedies » Yarrow Herb Profile

Yarrow is an herb that I always keep on hand, especially with kids. It is part of my Sweet Dreams Sleep Tincture and I often add it to teas or preparations.

What is Yarrow?

According to Mountain Rose Herbs:

“It is a long-stemmed member of the sunflower family found in the wild throughout the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It can be recognized by its highly segmented leaves (millefolium literally means “thousand leaves”), and the clusters of daisy-like white or lavender flowers at the top of the stalk.

Greek myth had it that Achilles painted himself with a tincture of yarrow to make himself invulnerable to arrows, everywhere on his body except his heel. Native American herbal medicine makes extensive use of yarrow. Among the Micmac people of Maine, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, the stalk was chewed or stewed to induce sweating to “break” fevers and colds. They also pounded the stalks into a pulp to be applied to bruises, sprains, and swelling.

The Cherokee, Gosiute, Iroquois, and Mohegan peoples used it as a digestive aid. Other herbal healing traditions use yarrow to treat a variety of conditions characterized by swelling, often combined with echinacea, elder flower, ginger, and peppermint.”

Benefits of Yarrow:

Yarrow is one of my go-to herbs for children. It is helpful in relieving fevers, shortening the duration of cold and flu, helping improve relaxation during illness, and relieving cramps associated with hormones or illness. Applied topically, it is helpful with skin itching, rash or other issues.

An external tincture or poultice will often help with hemorrhoids, rashes and broken skin. Some people will notice relief from allergy symptoms by drinking a tea of yarrow and mint.

From Practical Herbalism:

Yarrow flower used in chronic diseases of the urinary apparatus, is especially recommended by Prof. J. M. Scudder. It exerts a tonic influence upon the venous system, as well as upon mucous membranes. It has been efficacious in sore throat, hemoptysis, hematuria and other forms of hemorrhage where the bleeding is mall in amount; incontinence of urine, diabetes, hemorrhoids with bloody and mucoid discharges, and dysentery. Also in amenorrhea, flatulency and spasmodic diseases, and in the form of injection in leucorrhea with relaxed vaginal walls. It will be found to be one of our best agents for the relief of menorrhagia.”

Priest & Priest tell us that it is a mild, slow, and stimulating diaphoretic that is best used for the first stage of acute fevers, and for atonic and relaxed tissues where there is free discharge or passive hemorrhage of bright red blood. They recommend cold preparations to stimulate the appetite and tone the digestive organs, and give the following specific indications: Acute stage of colds; influenza and respiratory catarrhs; chronic diarrhea and dysentery; epistaxis; intestinal hemorrhage, bleeding hemorrhoids, uterine hemorrhage; profuse or protracted menstruation; and leucorrhea.”

From Mountain Rose Herbs:

“The British Herbal Compendium notes that preparations of yarrow lower fevers, induce sweating, stop cramps, encourage menstruation, relieve inflammation, and stimulate the release of stomach acid to digest proteins and fats. The herb is taken internally to treat colds, fevers, and indigestion, and used in skin treatments of slow-healing wounds. The Complete German Commission E Monographs recommends sitz baths with yarrow added to the bath water to relieve pelvic cramps in women.”

How We Use Yarrow:

  • In homemade Buckwheat Relaxation pillows to help promote restful sleep
  • In sweet dreams sleep tincture for times when falling asleep is difficult
  • In teas (with mint and chamomile) during illness
  • As a tea, tincture or poultice on skin for rashes and itching
  • As a tincture to help ease menstrual cramps and hormone issues (not for use during pregnancy)
  • Yarrow tea often helps with congestion symptoms from allergies and illness
  • Adding yarrow to skin lotions, oils or salves can help with eczema or dry skin
  • I add a strong yarrow tea to my child’s bath for a high fever that I want to bring down naturally
  • Since it is helpful in stopping bleeding and avoiding infection, poultices of yarrow and plantain can be helpful on wounds

Where to Buy Yarrow

I buy Organic Yarrow Leaves and Flowers in bulk from here, as this is the most inexpensive way I’ve found and I just make my own teas, tinctures and poultices as needed. It can also be found in pre-made tinctures, teas, and lotions. For those who like to wildcraft herbs themselves, check with herbalists or experts in your area to see if Yarrow is a native plant.

Safety Notes

Not for use during pregnancy since it may stimulate the uterus, but I personally use in my post-labor tincture to help tone uterus, reduce cramping and avoid hemorrhage. Some people will develop a rash from touching the fresh plant. Should be avoided by those with allergies to ragweed. There are no studies proving safety in children so ask a doctor or herbalist before using.

Have you ever used yarrow? How do you use it? Share your tips below!

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

72 responses to “Yarrow Herb Profile”

  1. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    Surprised you didn’t mention mosquito repellent. Our military base here in NC did a study in the swamp where it is located and found Yarrow to be better than deet. Check it out and I look forward to seeing what u whip up. ?

  2. Houston Avatar
    Houston

    I found out a little about this plant in the spring of 2018. I recognized the plant in a pasture of ours and picked a few plants. I dried some and made a tincture with the fresh flowers. The tincture finished in six weeks and has a strong antiseptic smell. I have been taking 3ml every other day.
    I have also used the dried leaves made into a sort of poltice with water for mosquito bites.Itching stops in minutes and swelling is gone a little before itching ceases. I have used it on mi ir scrapes, as I have kids, and in all cases I have been relieved by the results.
    I am sold on yarrow’s potential. I highly recommed trying it for yourself.

  3. Alezaj Avatar

    I’m curious why web md says yarrow thins blood and you say it stops bleeding. I just picked some yarrow from my yard before mowing and want to dry it for later use. Do I just make small bundles and hang it indoors(since the sun leeches nutrients from picked plants)? I’ll be using it for growing pains on my boys and to reduce fevers. Maybe I’ll make that leg salve as well.

  4. Gina Avatar

    Achilles’ mother dipped him in the river Styx to make him invulnerable, not realizing her hold on his heel left an open spot. His alleged use of yarrow came later.

  5. Bree a engstrom Avatar
    Bree a engstrom

    Yarrow, ginger, and hibiscus tea for Urinary tract symptoms.

  6. padma Avatar

    Great post. I would like to share some more related information.
    Yarrow herbal tea heals skin wound and stops bleeding, cures common cold, helps in digestion and also good good for reproductive and urinary systems.

  7. Tatiana Avatar

    I have enjoyed your site for a while, picking up recipes and new ideas, and I always admired your effort and the time you had to put into creating this project.
    Today I wanted to double-check some information about the properties of Yarrow plant, and there was your site again – among the first five in the search even though it honestly does not contain that much of a valuable reference on yarrow plant. I wondered for a moment what it takes to have your site come up on the first page of a search engine, nut decided to go and read. Then I stumbled upon your claim that “Greek myth had it that Achilles painted himself with a tincture of yarrow to make himself invulnerable to arrows, everywhere on his body except his heel” You must me kidding? Cold you do me a favor and post a reference source for that statement? Just about any elementary school kid knows that the Greek myth has it that baby Achilleas was dipped into the Stix waters by his mother who held him by his heel. I tried to find a different explanation, but the only other thing I found that he was painted with ambrosia and held over fire to “burn off his mortality”… So why in the world would you publish this version? It is lapses like this one that make one look differently at the whole source. I looked at your site again, and all I saw were links to “I like this” or “I buy that” or “I prefer the other” … Kick me out of your living room now, and delete the comment? I do not care.

    1. Katie - Wellness Mama Avatar

      You are right that this post needs some updating. I wrote it 5 years ago and my writing/research has improved since then. That said, if you notice, the part you mention is actually part of a direct quote from an article on Mountain Rose Herbs (which has, ironically been removed or changed since then). They’ve now updated it since then to say “Yarrow received its Latin name Achillea from the legendary Greek hero Achilles. According to the common legend, Achilles’s mother dipped him into the river Styx by the ankle in an effort to make him invulnerable. Fighting many battles as a seemingly invincible warrior, Achilles used yarrow to treat the wounds of his fellow soldiers. He later died from a wound to his heel, as it was the one unprotected part of his anatomy.”

      So again- this was part of a direct quote from a source that I considered credible at the time. This post is on my list to update and expand but as you might imagine, it is somewhat tough to find time to update every old post to keep add information current at all times while still running a household, homeschooling children and cooking three meals a day.

  8. Sithean Avatar

    Hi,
    At the end of your post you mentioned “Not for use during pregnancy since it may stimulate the uterus, but I personally use in my post-labor tincture to help tone uterus, reduce cramping and avoid hemorrhage.” Do you have a recipe for it? I tried searching your website, but nothing came up.
    Thanks!

  9. Rochelle Avatar
    Rochelle

    You can take yarrow internally or externally for skin, uterine bleeding, etc. Yarrow is incredibly potent and is the best natural ‘styptic’ powder around. I grind it finely and keep it in a tin. If I get a cut or scrape I put it on and within five minutes the bleeding is stopped and by the next morning, you can barely see a line.

    I also make a shepherd’s purse and yarrow oil for wounds. Works great for nosebleeds too!

  10. Debbie Avatar

    I had an internal one, but it was within reach. I made a salve using dried yarrow, olive oil and beeswax. I used it several times a day over the course of a week and the hemorrhoids went away and have not returned. Yarrow will help stop bleeding, and the salve was also soothing.

  11. Anna Avatar

    Has anyone used Yarrow for INTERNAL hemorrhoids?? If so, can you please share — and which way you used it, tea, tincture, bath soak… Or really if anyone has any advice whatsoever about how to make them go away. My husband is suffering terribly, even after banding.

  12. anthony Avatar
    anthony

    i make a tea using flowers,leaves, and stems. i use this as a wash.ive used it for a abscessed tooth. it took the pain away in just a few minutes. the swelling went away over night. it never came back. ive told friends about this. they did the same. one guy had a very bad abscess , he had top use it for 2 days { once each day} . it went away for a few months. he had to get the bad teeth extracted eventually though. i also once had a splinter in my thumb i couldnt get out.after 2 weeks i had a red line going from my thumb halfway to my elbow. wife was telling me i better get to a hospital. i told her i would. but first i scratched the red area on my thumb open. scrubbed some tea in the wound.got dressed for going to the hospital. within 15 minutes the throbbing pain was gone and that red line was getting faint. i told my wife. give me a hour. it looks like its going away. about another 15 minutes and it was gone. the next morning the splinter was sticking out of my thumb and i was able to remove it. i now swear by yarrow.and i saved myself several hundreds of dollars.i read about it being used for tooth infections by native cultures.ive never read of it being used this way by us modern folks. but it works.

  13. Essi Avatar

    We’re fortunate to have an abundance of this fantastic herb that shows up wild every year all over the place. We always have the salve on hand for it’s wonderful soothing work. If someone gets a cut, we can go out and pick a few leaves, crush them, and poultice on the wound for quick relief. I make the tea for anyone who gets a runny tummy–several cups a day and they’re usually back to normal in a day or so. What a blessing this beautiful and helpful plant is!

  14. Helaine Chersonsky Avatar
    Helaine Chersonsky

    I woke up today with the beginnings of a nasty cold; I have everything I need-Echinacea, elderberry syrup, a homeopathic cold remedy-but after reading the blog on yarrow, I realized I had gathered yarrow flowers.plants this summer and they were sitting in my kitchen, already dried and ready to use. So, I had a cup of fresh chai tea and I crumbled up the dried flower tops, and a few dried leaves in my cup, let it steep for about five minutes and drank the mixture down. About three hours later, I am feeling so much better. Thanks for the yarrow discussion.

  15. Linda Avatar

    I’ve heard yarrow is good for incontinence issues… wondering if it should be made the same way or in a tea?

  16. Corinna Avatar

    Yarrow is a special herb to me. A few years ago I began having horrific cramps. Every day for over a year. Doctors had no idea, I had numerous invasive procedures to try and figure it out. In the end they told me it was all in my head and there was nothing they could do. I was doing some research on herbal remedies and stumbled across yarrow. I infused it in coconut oil and massages my abdomen with it three times a day for about two months until the pain subsided. Now I just get the usual cramps once a month, and a day or two of massage with they infused coconut oil and it’s gone. I still can’t believe that I spent all that time and energy searching for an answer and this plant grew in my front yard the whole time!
    To make it, I like to use fresh yarrow just after it flowers. I pick the flowers and let them sit and dry just for a day or two to let the moisture evaporate a bit. Then I pull them apart into smaller pieces and fill a glass jar loosely packed. Then I top it up with melted coconut oil. I put that in a metal bowl and add water to halfway up the side of the jar and put it in there oven at the lowest possible temperature and leave it all day.
    I like using coconut oil versus other oils because I like how it feels on my skin. But since it is solid at room temperature, I have to use a bit of heat.

  17. Heather Avatar

    I had read somewhere that an Army study had shown that a tincture made from Yarrow is more effective that DEET at repelling ticks, mosquitoes, but mostly sand fleas. I was wondering if anyone knew if this was true or not, or if it is safe for pets?

    1. Robyn Davis Avatar
      Robyn Davis

      I have used yarrow on my llasa apso! Amazing results!! It can affect other herbs so b sure to not mix w other herbs within about 1-2 hrs of each other.. Yarrow and Slippery Elm saved my baby’s life!! Good luck to u..

      1. Stephanie Avatar
        Stephanie

        If u mix Diatomaceous Earth,Neem and yarrow powder it’s great for pets skin issues and flea/bug repellent

  18. Beatrice Avatar

    please am having problem with my menses,its does not flow well it comes either 2 or 3 days and its come small small please can yarrow help me to have well flow menstruation

    1. Rosanna Avatar

      I’m not very skilled with using yarrow, so I don’t know the answer to that question, but I have had success with red raspberry leaf tea in your situation.

  19. monica johnston Avatar
    monica johnston

    I used to have heavy periods and its amazing how well shepherds purse works to lessen the flow. Jut make a simple (steeped) tea from the plant. I personally would not use it for an extended time without consulting a doctor though because its quite a strong vasoconstrictor.

    1. Natasha Avatar

      Did you ever use lady’s mantle for heavy menstruation? Could you please tell me how I am suppose to make it? I’ve read it can be used to increase and decrease mentrual flow, but I cannot find a recipe for reducing flow.

  20. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    Would this help in an uteran prolapse and if so how would I prepare it??

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