Yarrow Herb (Achillea millefolium L.)

yarrow-herb-400x266Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) is a flowering plant in the Asteracea family. Native to the Northern Hemisphere, it has feather shaped leaves and texture, and is sometimes referred to as plumajillo, Spanish for ‘little feather’. The plant particularly enjoys the temperate climate found in Asia, Europe and North America.

History of Use

Yarrow used to be known as herbal militaris, for its use in stanching the flow of blood from wounds. In ancient Greece, Homer tells of the Centaur Chiron teaching Achilles to use yarrow on the battlegrounds of Troy.

Other common names for this species include gordaldo, nosebleed plant, old man’s pepper, devil’s nettle, sanguinary, milfoil, soldier’s woundwort, thousand-leaf, and thousand-seal.

A. millefolium has seen historical use as a medicine, often because of its astringent effects.

Historically Yarrow has been used to relieve a variety of ailments. A dark blue essential oil extracted by steam from its flowers can be used as an anti-inflammatory or in chest rubs for colds and influenza. The leaves encourage clotting, so it can be used fresh for nosebleeds. The aerial parts of the plant are used for phlegm conditions, as a bitter digestive tonic to encourage bile flow, and as a diuretic. The aerial parts act as a tonic for the blood, stimulate the circulation, and can be used for high blood pressure; it is also useful in menstrual disorders, and as an effective sweating remedy to bring down fevers.

It is thought that yarrow works in synergy with other herbs to amplify their medicinal action. It can therefore often be found as one of many ingredients within a tincture or herbal medicine.

In the kitchen, yarrow was a popular vegetable in the 17th century; the younger leaves were cooked like spinach, or used in a soup. Yarrow is sweet with a slight bitter taste. The leaves can also be dried and used as a herb in cooking.

Since April 2014, all herbal medicines for sale in the UK and Europe must be approved by the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) having been rigorously checked for safety and quality. They must also display the Traditional Herbal Registration ‘THR’ logo on their pack.
Registered herbal medicines containing yarrow are used for the symptomatic relief of rheumatic pain and general aches and pains in the muscles and joints, based on traditional use only.

Did You Know?

In the Hebrides, folklore dictated that a leaf held against the eyes would deliver a vision, or premonition of future events!

The following products contain Yarrow Herb


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    For the relief of minor skin conditions such as spots, pimples, dry chapped skin, nappy rash and sunburn, as well as for the treatment of cuts, minor burns, and wounds.
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    Echinaforce Echinacea Drops
    A traditional herbal remedy used for the symptomatic relief of colds, influenza type infections and similar upper respiratory tract conditions.
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    HerbalStore  - Echinacea cold and flu relief
    A traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of the common cold and influenza type infections based on traditional use only.
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    A traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of sleep disturbances, based on long standing traditional use only.
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    Dormeasan Sleep is a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of sleep disturbances resulting from mild anxiety. Based on traditional use only.
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    HRI Clear Complexion is a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the symptomatic relief of minor skin conditions such as spots, pimples, blemishes, mild acne, and mild eczema
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    Digestisan is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve indigestion and feelings of fullness and flatulence associated with over-indulgence in food or drink or both. Based on traditional use only.
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  • Venaforce Horse Chestnut GR* tablets
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    Venaforce is a traditional herbal medicinal product for relieving the symptoms of varicose veins. Based on traditional use only.
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  • Herbal Store Echinacea
    Herbal Store Echinacea
    A traditional herbal medicinal product used for the symptomatic relief of minor skin conditions, such as spots, pimples and blemishes. Based on traditional use only.
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  • Atrogel Muscle Aches & Pains Arnica Gel
    Atrogel Muscle Aches & Pains Arnica Gel
    Atrogel is a traditional herbal medicinal product for relieving muscular aches and pains. Based on traditional use only.
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  • Herbal Store Sleep Aid
    Herbal Store Sleep Aid
    A traditional herbal remedy to promote a natural calming sleep.
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  • Herbal Store Stress Relief Tablets
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    A traditional herbal remedy to aid relaxation from everyday stresses.
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  • Phynova Joint and Muscle Pain Relief Tablets
    Phynova Joint and Muscle Pain Relief Tablets
    Phynova Joint and Muscle Pain Relief tablets is a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the relief of backache, minor sports injuries, rheumatic or muscular pain, and general aches and pains in the muscles and joints, based on traditional use only.
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  • Herbal Store Slimming Aid

    A herbal remedy traditionally used for the treatment of obesity.
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  • HRI Cold & Flu Echinacea
    HRI Cold & Flu Echinacea
    HRI Cold & Flu Echinacea is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of the common cold and influenza (flu) type infections based on traditional use only.
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  • Vitabiotics Echinacea Tablets
    Vitabiotics Echinacea Tablets
    Vitabiotics Echinacea is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve symptoms of common cold and influenza type infections. Exclusively based upon long-standing use as a traditional remedy.
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  • Echinaforce Echinacea Tablets
    Echinaforce Echinacea Tablets
    Echinaforce is a traditional herbal remedy for relieving the symptoms of Colds, Flu & Upper respiratory tract infections.
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  • Kalms Day
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    Traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of symptoms associated with stress such as mild anxiety based on traditional use only.
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  • Bronchoforce Chesty Cough Ivy Complex Oral Drops
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    Bronchoforce is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve chesty coughs, mucus coughs and catarrh. Based on traditional use only.
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  • Retailer

    By completing this application / membership renewal you are confirming that you agree with the objectives of the association: To defend the right of the public to choose herbal medicines and to be able to obtain them freely. To promote high standards of quality and safety in herbal medicines. To advance the science and practice of herbal medicine ...
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  • Olbas for Children
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    For the relief of children’s blocked noses.
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    Echinaforce Forte is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu. Based on traditional use only.
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  • Hyperiforce St John’s Wort Tablets
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    Hyperiforce is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of slightly low mood and mild anxiety. Based on traditional use only.
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  • Atrosan Devil’s Claw Tablets
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  • HRI Water Balance
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    HRI Water Balance is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of mild water retention. Based on traditional use only.
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  • Kalms Night
    Kalms Night
    A traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of sleep disturbances, based on traditional use only.
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  • Echinaforce Chewable Cold & Flu Tablets
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  • AvenaCalm Avena Sativa Oral Drops
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  • Echinaforce Sore Throat Spray
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  • Stress Relief Daytime Valerian-Hops Oral Drops
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  • Echinaforce Hot Drink Cold & Flu Echinacea concentrate for oral solution
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    A traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve symptoms of the common cold and influenza type infections, exclusively based upon long-standing use as a traditional remedy.
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  • Uva-ursi & Echinacea Cystitis oral drops
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  • Herbal Store Milk Thistle Tablets
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    A traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms associated with occasional over indulgence of food and drink such as indigestion and upset stomach based on traditional use only.
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  • Kalms Lavender One-a-Day
    Kalms Lavender One-a-Day
    A traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of the symptoms of mild anxiety such as stress and nervousness. Based on traditional use only.
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  • Vitabiotics Devil’s Claw Tablets
    Vitabiotics Devil’s Claw Tablets
    Vitabiotics Devil’s Claw is a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the relief of backache, rheumatic or muscular pain, and general aches and pains in the muscles and joints. Based upon long-standing use as a traditional remedy.
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  • Menoforce Sage Tablets
    Menoforce Sage Tablets
    Menoforce is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve excessive sweating associated with the menopause. Based on traditional use only.
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  • HRI Coldcare Tablets
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    HRI COLDCARE is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of the common cold and influenza (flu) type infections based on traditional use only.
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  • Vitabiotics St John’s Wort Tablets
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    Vitabiotics St John’s Wort is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of slightly low mood and mild anxiety, exclusively based upon long-standing use as a traditional remedy.
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  • Olbas Oil Inhalant Decongestant
    Olbas Oil Inhalant Decongestant
    Relief from catarrh, colds and blocked sinuses.
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  • Bronchosan Pine Cough Syrup
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    Bronchosan is a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the relief of coughs. Based on traditional use only.
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