Yarrow

Traditionally, yarrow has been used primarily for helping stop minor bleeding and supporting the body’s response to fever, especially when dealing with a cut, wound, or the early stages of a cold. It is commonly prepared as a tea, tincture, poultice, or infused oil.

Common Name: Yarrow Latin Name: Achillea millefolium (Latin name itself in italics) Alternate Names: Milfoil, Soldier’s Woundwort

• Parts used: aerial parts (leaves, flowers)
• Primary properties: hemostatic, diaphoretic, astringent
• Common preparations: tea, tincture, poultice, infused oil
• Best known for: helping stop minor bleeding and supporting fever response

Health Conditions Yarrow Helps With

• Minor wound bleeding — Yarrow has one of the longest traditional reputations of any herb for helping slow minor external bleeding, historically earning it the name “soldier’s woundwort.”
• Fever — Traditionally used as a diaphoretic to help support the body’s natural fever response, particularly in the early stages of a cold or flu.
• Heavy menstrual bleeding — Traditionally used to help ease excessively heavy menstrual flow, similar in reputation to shepherd’s purse.
• Digestive discomfort — Used traditionally as a bitter to help stimulate digestion and ease bloating.
• Minor skin irritation — Traditionally applied topically as an infused oil or poultice to help soothe irritated or inflamed skin.
• Common cold symptoms — Long included in traditional cold-and-flu formulas, often paired with other diaphoretic herbs, to help support the body during early illness.

Compounds

• Sesquiterpene lactones (achillein) — Compounds thought to contribute significantly to yarrow’s traditional hemostatic and anti-inflammatory reputation.
• Flavonoids — Support yarrow’s overall antioxidant profile and traditional anti-inflammatory effects.
• Tannins — Give yarrow its astringent, tightening quality, relevant to its traditional bleeding-related uses.
• Volatile oils (including azulene) — Contribute to yarrow’s characteristic aroma and are thought to support its traditional anti-inflammatory and soothing effects.
• Alkaloids — Present in smaller amounts, thought to contribute to yarrow’s broader traditional profile.

Properties

• Hemostatic — Yarrow’s most historically defining property, used specifically to help slow or ease bleeding.
• Diaphoretic — Traditionally used to support the body’s natural fever response by encouraging gentle sweating.
• Astringent — Its tannin content gives yarrow a toning, tightening quality relevant to both wound and menstrual uses.
• Bitter — Used in small amounts to stimulate digestive secretions and support appetite.
• Anti-inflammatory — Supports yarrow’s broader traditional reputation for soothing irritated tissue, both internally and topically.

Recipes Using Yarrow

• Yarrow fever tea — An infusion of dried yarrow, traditionally combined with elderflower and peppermint in a classic cold-and-flu formula.
• Yarrow wound poultice — Fresh, crushed yarrow leaves applied directly to a minor cut or wound, a traditional first-aid remedy.
• Yarrow tincture blend — A concentrated liquid extract, often combined with shepherd’s purse, used traditionally for heavier menstrual flow.

Products Featuring Yarrow

• Dried aerial parts/tea — The traditional whole-herb form, well suited for both internal tea and topical poultice use.
• Tincture — Offers a concentrated, fast-acting form for acute situations like heavy bleeding or the onset of fever.
• Infused oil or salve — A common topical form for skin irritation and minor wound support.

Synergies

• Yarrow + elderflower — A classic pairing in traditional cold-and-flu formulas, both used as diaphoretics.
• Yarrow + peppermint — Combined to support the body’s fever response while easing associated discomfort.
• Yarrow + shepherd’s purse — Paired for traditional heavy menstrual bleeding support.
• Yarrow + calendula — Traditionally combined in topical preparations for wound and skin support.

Safety & Precautions

Yarrow is generally considered well-tolerated in typical traditional amounts, though it belongs to the same plant family as ragweed, daisies, and chrysanthemums, so anyone with allergies to these plants should introduce yarrow cautiously, as cross-reactivity and skin sensitization are possible with repeated topical use in particular. Some individuals may also experience mild digestive upset at higher internal doses.

Yarrow should be avoided during pregnancy, as it has traditionally been associated with stimulating uterine activity, and it should be used cautiously while breastfeeding due to limited safety data. It may interact with blood-thinning medications and sedative medications, so anyone on these should consult a healthcare provider before use. If bleeding from a wound is significant, deep, or won’t stop with basic first aid, this warrants prompt medical attention rather than reliance on yarrow alone, and similarly, unusually heavy or persistent menstrual bleeding should be medically evaluated rather than self-managed with herbs.

Yarrow used at traditional doses is generally well-tolerated by most healthy adults without known plant-family allergies. For pets, yarrow is considered potentially toxic to dogs and cats in larger amounts, and should be kept out of reach; any suspected significant ingestion should prompt a call to a veterinarian.

Q&A

Does yarrow actually help stop bleeding from a cut?

Yarrow has one of the longest and most consistent traditional reputations of any herb specifically for helping slow minor external bleeding, which is reflected in some of its old historical names tied to wound care. Fresh crushed leaves applied directly to a minor cut is one of the most classic traditional first-aid uses of this herb.

For anything beyond a minor, shallow cut, or if bleeding doesn’t slow with basic pressure and care, seeking proper medical attention is the appropriate next step rather than relying on yarrow alone.

Can yarrow be used daily?

Yarrow is traditionally used more situationally, such as during a fever, heavy menstrual flow, or for wound care, rather than as an everyday ongoing herb. It’s not typically part of a daily wellness routine the way a gentler herb like chamomile might be.

If using yarrow for a specific, recurring need like heavy periods, using it around the time of need rather than continuously is the more traditional approach.

Why is yarrow traditionally used for fevers?

Yarrow has a long traditional reputation as a diaphoretic, meaning it’s used to gently encourage sweating, which in traditional herbal practice is thought to support the body’s natural process of working through a fever. This is why it’s often included in classic cold-and-flu tea blends alongside other diaphoretic herbs like elderflower.

As with any fever, particularly a high or prolonged one, it’s worth monitoring closely and seeking medical care if it doesn’t resolve or if other concerning symptoms develop.

Can yarrow cause a skin reaction?

Yes — because yarrow belongs to the same plant family as ragweed and daisies, some people can develop skin sensitivity or an allergic reaction with repeated topical use, even if they don’t react the first time. This is worth being aware of, particularly for anyone with known sensitivities to related plants.

If you notice any redness, itching, or rash developing with topical yarrow use, discontinuing use and trying a patch test on a small area before broader application in the future is a reasonable approach.

Is yarrow safe around pets?

No — yarrow is considered potentially toxic to dogs and cats in larger amounts and can cause digestive upset or other symptoms if ingested in quantity. It should be kept out of reach in gardens and homes with pets.

If a pet ingests a significant amount of yarrow, contacting a veterinarian is a reasonable precaution, particularly if any symptoms develop.

References

• Plants of the World Online: Achillea millefolium
• PubMed: Scientific Literature on Achillea millefolium
• National Library of Medicine: Chemical Constituents from Achillea millefolium
• Wikipedia: Achillea millefolium
• ScienceDirect Topics: Achillea millefolium Research
• NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Achillea millefolium
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: About Herbs — Yarrow
• PubMed: Yarrow Hemostatic and Anti-Inflammatory Research
• ASPCA: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants — Yarrow