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YARROW

















Other Common Name: Achillea
Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium
Family: Compositae
Plant Part Used: Aerial parts


PRESCRIBING INFORMATION


































Actions Diaphoretic, antipyretic, peripheral vasodilator, antiinflammatory, spasmolytic, bitter tonic, styptic (hemostatic), antimicrobial, anti-hemorrhagic, vulnerary
Potential Indications
Based on appropriate evaluation of the patient, practitioners should consider prescribing yarrow in formulations in the context of:

• Loss of appetite, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal spasm (4)

• Amenorrhea, menorrhagia (5)

• Other conditions involving bleeding, such as hemorrhoids, melena, and hemoptysis (5)

• Fevers and conditions in which fever is present, such as the common cold (5)

• Conditions of disordered circulation (e. g., hemorrhoids, thrombosis), hypertension (5)

• Diarrhea, dysentery (5)

• A sitz bath for painful cramping of female reproductive tract (4)

• Topical treatment for slow-healing wounds and skin conditions (5)
Contraindications Known allergy.
Warnings and Precautions Sesquiterpenes are responsible for the allergic contact dermatitis caused by yarrow.1 People with known sensitivity to other members of the Compositae family (e. g., ragweed, daisies, chrysanthemums) should avoid using yarrow.
Interactions None known.
Use in Pregnancy and Lactation No adverse effects expected. However, thujone-containing varieties should be avoided.
Side Effects None expected if taken within the recommended dose range.
Dosage Dose per day* Dose per week*
  2-6 ml of 1:2 liquid extract 15-40 ml of 1:2 liquid extract

* This dose range is extrapolated from the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983, the British Herbal Compendium 1992, and the author’s education and experience.



SUPPORTING INFORMATION











Traditional Prescribing
Traditional Western herbal medicine uses include:

• Fevers, feverish conditions, the common cold, essential hypertension, thrombotic conditions, amenorrhea, dysentery, diarrhea2,3

• As an infusion for diuretic action in chronic diseases of the urinary tract and urinary incontinence4

• Hemorrhage in which the bleeding is small in amount4

• As a tonic for the venous system and mucous membranes and used for treating sore throat, hemorrhoids, dysentery4

• Atonic amenorrhea, menorrhagia; flatulence4

• Topically for slow-healing wounds and skin conditions3

Native Americans used yarrow extensively; it was applied topically for wounds, bruises, swellings, aches, eczema, rash, and earache. Yarrow infusion was taken internally for weak and disordered digestion, general sickness, and as a fever medicine. Yarrow flowers were burnt and inhaled to break fevers. Yarrow leaf and flowering tops were official in the USP from 1863 to 1882 and were used for tonic, stimulant, and emmenagogue purposes. Some Eclectics considered the leaves to be superior to the flowers.5
Pharmacologic Research
Using a reliable source of yarrow is important, because many varieties and subspecies of A. millefolium that contain varying amounts of phyto-chemical constituents are available.6

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Dec 4, 2016 | Posted by in GENERAL & FAMILY MEDICINE | Comments Off on Y

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