Blog
The Benefits of Yarrow
- April 18, 2022
- Posted by: Robert Simmons
- Category: Properties of Oils
Yarrow

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a versatile herb that has been used for centuries in various medicinal, therapeutic, and folk remedies. It is valued for its wide range of health benefits and its applications in traditional medicine.
Here’s an overview of the uses of yarrow:
Astringent Properties: Yarrow has strong astringent properties, making it effective for stopping bleeding from cuts and wounds. Historically, it was used by soldiers on the battlefield to treat wounds, earning it the nickname “soldier’s woundwort.”
Antiseptic: The herb has antiseptic properties, which help prevent infections in wounds.
Reduction of Inflammation: Yarrow contains anti-inflammatory compounds that help reduce swelling and pain, making it useful for treating conditions like arthritis, muscle pain, and joint inflammation.
Analgesic Effects: It has mild analgesic properties that can help alleviate pain.
Stomach Soother: Yarrow is known to soothe the digestive tract and can be used to treat indigestion, bloating, and gas.
Stimulates Appetite: The bitter compounds in yarrow stimulate appetite and promote digestion by increasing bile flow.
Menstrual Regulation: Yarrow is used to regulate menstrual cycles and alleviate menstrual cramps due to its ability to balance hormones and its antispasmodic properties.
Heavy Menstruation: It can help reduce heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) due to its astringent qualities.
Diaphoretic: Yarrow is a diaphoretic herb, meaning it induces sweating, which can help break a fever and support the body in fighting infections like colds and flu.
Immune Support: Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties also make it useful in treating respiratory infections.
Diuretic: Yarrow has mild diuretic properties that help promote urine flow and cleanse the urinary tract, making it useful for treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney issues.
Treatment of Skin Conditions: Yarrow is used in the treatment of various skin conditions such as eczema, rashes, and acne due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
Healing Burns and Bruises: It is also applied to minor burns, bruises, and other skin injuries to promote healing and reduce scarring.
Expectorant: Yarrow acts as an expectorant, helping to loosen phlegm and clear the respiratory tract, making it useful in treating coughs, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions.
Calming Effects: Yarrow has mild sedative properties, which can help reduce anxiety, stress, and promote relaxation.
Sleep Aid: It can also be used to improve sleep quality, especially in cases of insomnia caused by stress or nervous tension.
Folk Remedies:
Protection and Purification
Folk Beliefs: In various folk traditions, yarrow is believed to have protective qualities. It was often hung in homes or carried as an amulet to ward off evil spirits and negative energies.
Safety and Precautions:
Allergies: Some people may be allergic to yarrow, particularly those who are allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family (such as ragweed). A patch test is recommended before topical use.
SKIN: Inflammation, wounds, rashes, cuts (especially fresh cuts – can help stop bleeding,) eczema, rashes, may have a toning effect on the skin.
IMMUNE: Fever, colds, flu, allergies in the digestive tract.
DIGESTIVE: Colitis, inflammation in the digestive tract, may help stop any sort of bleeding in the digestive tract, cramping, indigestion, gas, hemorrhoids.
NERVOUS: The effects of stress, hypertension, any stress-related condition.
MUSCULAR: Rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, pain.
CIRCULATORY: May help high blood pressure, may be helpful with thrombosis, may be useful with arteriosclerosis.
PSYCHOLOGICAL: Old emotional wounds, trauma, abandonment, transmutation of emotions
ENERGETIC: Helps to heal old emotional and mental wounds, helps to stabilize the emotions, has an inhibiting effect on the Meng Mein chakra.
SPIRITUAL: Divine Love