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


  • 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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  • HRI Milk Thistle
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    HRI Milk Thistle is 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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  • Echinaforce Forte Cold & Flu Tablets
    Echinaforce Forte Cold & Flu Tablets
    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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  • Echinaforce Echinacea Drops
    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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  • Stress Relief Daytime Valerian-Hops Oral Drops
    Stress Relief Daytime Valerian-Hops Oral Drops
    Stress Relief Daytime is a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of symptoms of stress and mild anxiety. 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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  • HerbalStore – Echinacea cold and flu relief
    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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  • Kalms Night One-a-Night
    Kalms Night One-a-Night
    A traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of sleep disturbances, based on long standing traditional use only.
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  • Echinaforce Chewable Cold & Flu Tablets
    Echinaforce Chewable Cold & Flu Tablets
    Echinaforce Chewable is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu.
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  • Prostasan Saw Palmetto Capsules
    Prostasan Saw Palmetto Capsules
    Prostasan is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve urinary discomfort in men with an enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH). Based on traditional use only.
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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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  • Herbal Store Stress Relief Tablets
    Herbal Store Stress Relief Tablets
    A traditional herbal remedy to aid relaxation from everyday stresses.
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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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  • 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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  • About Burdock…

    Registered herbal medicines containing burdock are used today to relieve symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold based on traditional use only.
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  • Uva-ursi & Echinacea Cystitis oral drops
    Uva-ursi & Echinacea Cystitis oral drops
    A traditional herbal medicinal product used to help relieve minor urinary complaints associated with cystitis in women, such as burning sensation during urination and/or frequent urination, 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
    Bronchosan Pine Cough Syrup
    Bronchosan is a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the relief of coughs. Based on traditional use only.
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  • A.Vogel Agnus castus oral drops
    A.Vogel Agnus castus oral drops
    A traditional herbal medicinal product used to help relieve premenstrual symptoms such as irritability, mood swings, breast tenderness, bloating and menstrual cramps, exclusively based upon long-standing use as a traditional remedy.
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  • HRI CLEAR COMPLEXION
    HRI CLEAR COMPLEXION
    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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  • Venaforce Horse Chestnut GR* tablets
    Venaforce Horse Chestnut GR* tablets
    Venaforce is a traditional herbal medicinal product for relieving the symptoms of varicose veins. Based on traditional use only.
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  • Atrosan Devil’s Claw Tablets
    Atrosan Devil's Claw Tablets
    Atrosan is a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the relief of rheumatic or muscular pain, general aches and pains in the muscles and joints, and backache. Based on traditional use only.
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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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  • Vitabiotics St John’s Wort Tablets
    Vitabiotics St John’s Wort Tablets
    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 for Children
    Olbas for Children
    For the relief of children’s blocked noses.
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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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  • Kalms Day
    Kalms Day
    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
    Bronchoforce Chesty Cough Ivy Complex Oral Drops
    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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  • 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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  • Dormeasan Sleep Valerian-Hops Oral Drops
    Dormeasan Sleep Valerian-Hops Oral Drops
    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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  • Digestisan Oral Drops
    Digestisan Oral Drops
    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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  • HRI GOOD MOOD
    HRI GOOD MOOD
    HRI GOOD MOOD 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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  • HRI Coldcare Tablets
    HRI Coldcare Tablets
    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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  • Olbas Inhaler
    Olbas Inhaler
    Relief from catarrh, colds and blocked sinuses, hayfever and influenza.
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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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  • Echinaforce Hot Drink Cold & Flu Echinacea concentrate for oral solution
    Echinaforce Hot Drink Cold & Flu Echinacea concentrate for oral solution
    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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  • 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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  • Echinaforce Sore Throat Spray
    Echinaforce Sore Throat Spray
    Echinaforce Sore Throat Spray is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve sore throats associated with coughs, colds and flu. Based on traditional use only.
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  • Teangi
    Teangi
    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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  • 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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  • Kalms Rhodiola
    Kalms Rhodiola
    A traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of symptoms associated with stress, such as fatigue, exhaustion and mild anxiety. Based on traditional use only. Based on traditional use only.
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  • Hyperiforce St John’s Wort Tablets
    Hyperiforce St John's Wort Tablets
    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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  • Herbal Store Milk Thistle Tablets
    Herbal Store Milk Thistle Tablets
    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.
    Read more

  • Kalms Night
    Kalms Night
    A traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of sleep disturbances, based on traditional use only.
    Read more

  • 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.
    Read more

  • Vitabiotics Valerian Tablets
    Vitabiotics Valerian Tablets
    Vitabiotics Valerian is a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of sleep disturbances and mild anxiety. Exclusively based upon long-standing use as a traditional remedy.
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  • AvenaCalm Avena Sativa Oral Drops
    AvenaCalm Avena Sativa Oral Drops
    AvenaCalm is a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of symptoms associated with mild stress such as: – Mild anxiety – To help sleep This is based on traditional use only.
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  • HRI Water Balance
    HRI Water Balance
    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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