# Yarrow Leaves (Achillea millefolium)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/yarrow-leaves
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-24
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Vegetable
**Also Known As:** Achillea millefolium, Common Yarrow, Milfoil, Soldier's Woundwort, Nosebleed, Thousand-leaf, Bloodwort, Devil's Nettle

## Overview

Yarrow leaves (Achillea millefolium) contain bioactive flavonoids such as apigenin and luteolin, along with sesquiterpene lactones like achillin, which drive its [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) and [antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) effects. These compounds inhibit pro-inflammatory cyclooxygenase enzymes and modulate gut microbiota composition, supporting both topical skin repair and [digestive health](/ingredients/condition/gut-health).

## Health Benefits

• [Anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) skin support: Topical yarrow oil extract restored skin capacitance, pH, and erythema to basal levels in human irritation studies (PMID: 28163113) - moderate evidence
• Gut microbiota modulation: Enhances beneficial bacteria including Lactiplantibacillus and increases short-chain fatty acid production in human fecal models (PMID: 40345999) - preliminary evidence
• [Antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) activity: Inhibits gram-positive bacteria like Listeria innocua and reduces murine norovirus by 0.67 log (PMID: 36370293) - preliminary evidence
• [Antioxidant protection](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant): Reduces inflammation and necrosis in mouse tumor models via antioxidant mechanisms (PMID: 36472705) - preliminary evidence
• Digestive support: Traditional use for gastric disorders supported by modern extraction methods targeting bioactive phenolics - traditional evidence

## Mechanism of Action

Yarrow's sesquiterpene lactones, particularly achillin and achillicin, inhibit NF-κB transcriptional activation and suppress COX-2 enzyme activity, reducing [prostaglandin](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) E2 synthesis and downstream inflammatory signaling. The flavonoids apigenin and luteolin additionally act as partial agonists at GABA-A receptors and inhibit phosphodiesterase enzymes, contributing to anxiolytic and antispasmodic effects. Polyphenolic tannins and chlorogenic acid derivatives further exert [prebiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) effects by selectively feeding Lactiplantibacillus species in the colon, increasing short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production including butyrate.

## Clinical Summary

A controlled human irritation study (PMID: 28163113) demonstrated that topical yarrow oil extract significantly restored skin capacitance, pH, and erythema to basal levels, providing moderate-strength evidence for dermatological [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) efficacy. Preclinical rodent models and in vitro fermentation studies support gut microbiota modulation, showing enrichment of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and measurable increases in fecal SCFA concentrations, though large-scale human RCTs are lacking in this area. Antispasmodic activity has been documented in smooth muscle preparations, supporting traditional use for dysmenorrhea, but clinical trials in humans remain small and methodologically limited. Overall, evidence is promising but largely preliminary outside of topical applications, warranting cautious interpretation for internal uses.

## Nutritional Profile

Yarrow leaves (Achillea millefolium) are consumed as a leafy vegetable/potherb and valued more for their bioactive phytochemical density than macronutrient content. Per 100 g fresh leaves (approximate values from ethnobotanical and analytical literature): Energy: ~45–55 kcal; Protein: ~3.5–4.5 g; Fat: ~0.7–1.0 g; Carbohydrates: ~8–10 g; Dietary fiber: ~3–4 g. Key micronutrients: Potassium (~450–550 mg/100 g fresh weight), Calcium (~70–120 mg), Magnesium (~30–50 mg), Iron (~3–7 mg, though bioavailability is reduced by tannin content), Phosphorus (~40–60 mg), Zinc (~0.8–1.5 mg), Manganese (~1.5–3.0 mg). Vitamin content includes vitamin C (~30–60 mg/100 g fresh, variable by harvest stage), vitamin A precursors as beta-carotene (~2,500–4,500 µg/100 g fresh), vitamin K (significant but poorly quantified; expected high given leafy green morphology), and small amounts of B-vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin). Bioactive compounds (primary therapeutic relevance): Sesquiterpene lactones — chamazulene (0.1–0.5% in essential oil fraction, proazulene-derived, responsible for blue oil color and [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) activity), achillicin, and matricin. Monoterpenes — 1,8-cineole (~5–15% of essential oil), camphor (~10–20% of essential oil), borneol, and α/β-thujone (variable chemotype-dependent, 0–30% of essential oil). Flavonoids — apigenin, luteolin, rutin (quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, ~0.2–0.8% dry weight), and their glycosides; these contribute to [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) and anti-inflammatory effects. Total flavonoid content: ~1.5–3.5% of dry weight. Phenolic acids — chlorogenic acid (~0.3–1.2% dry weight), caffeic acid, and dicaffeoylquinic acids; total phenolic content ranges ~3–7% dry weight (GAE). Tannins — condensed and hydrolyzable tannins (~2–4% dry weight), which reduce iron and protein bioavailability but contribute to astringent/[antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) properties. Coumarins — umbelliferone and scopoletin (trace to ~0.1% dry weight). Essential oil yield: ~0.2–1.0% of dry herb, with chemotype variation (proazulene-rich, linalool-rich, camphor-rich, or sabinene-rich depending on geographic origin). Achillein (a bitter alkaloid-like compound) contributes to the characteristic bitter taste and may stimulate digestive secretions. Polyacetylenes — ponticaepoxide present in small quantities. Bioavailability notes: Flavonoid glycosides (especially rutin) require intestinal hydrolysis for absorption; bioavailability of quercetin from rutin is ~20% relative to quercetin aglycone. Chamazulene and other terpenoids are lipophilic and better absorbed with dietary fat. Tannin content (2–4% DW) chelates non-heme iron and may reduce mineral absorption by 30–50% when consumed simultaneously with iron-rich foods. Cooking/blanching of young leaves (traditional preparation) reduces tannin and thujone content, improving palatability and safety while partially degrading heat-sensitive vitamin C. Water-based preparations (teas, infusions) preferentially extract flavonoids and phenolic acids but not lipophilic terpenoids.

## Dosage & Preparation

Topical: Oil extracts applied daily for 7 days (concentration not specified in human studies). Animal studies used 200-400 mg/kg intraperitoneally. No standardized human oral dosages established from clinical trials. Food-grade hydroethanolic extracts (70% ethanol) lack specific human dosing data. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Yarrow is generally recognized as safe at culinary doses, but therapeutic oral supplementation can cause contact dermatitis and photosensitivity reactions, particularly in individuals allergic to other Asteraceae/Compositae plants such as ragweed, chrysanthemum, or chamomile. Yarrow possesses mild anticoagulant properties through platelet aggregation inhibition and should be avoided by individuals taking warfarin, aspirin, or other antiplatelet drugs due to additive bleeding risk. It may potentiate the effects of sedative medications and antihypertensive drugs due to its GABAergic and vasodilatory activity, respectively. Yarrow is contraindicated during pregnancy due to traditional use as a uterine stimulant and emmenagogue, and safety during breastfeeding has not been established.

## Scientific Research

Human clinical evidence for yarrow leaves is limited, with one double-blind randomized study showing topical oil extracts significantly restored skin parameters after irritation (PMID: 28163113). Most evidence comes from animal models including a mouse study (n=57) showing [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects at 200-400 mg/kg doses (PMID: 36472705), and in vitro colon models demonstrating microbiota modulation (PMID: 40345999). Comprehensive reviews note the overall scarcity of clinical data (PMIDs: 38076118).

## Historical & Cultural Context

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) has been used traditionally for gastric disorders, digestive issues, and non-gastrointestinal diseases across European folk medicine systems for centuries. Named after Achilles in ancient Greek lore for wound healing, oil extracts were traditionally applied topically for dermatological conditions like skin irritation.

## Synergistic Combinations

[Probiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health)s, Chamomile, Calendula, Green Tea Extract, Turmeric

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is yarrow leaf good for?

Yarrow leaves are most evidenced for topical anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair, with human data showing restoration of skin capacitance and pH after irritation (PMID: 28163113). Internally, they are used for digestive support and mild dysmenorrhea, driven by sesquiterpene lactones that inhibit COX-2 and smooth muscle spasms, though clinical trial evidence for these uses remains limited.

### How much yarrow should you take daily?

Traditional herbalism and European Commission monographs suggest dried yarrow herb doses of 4.5 grams per day in divided doses, or 3 cups of tea using 1–2 grams of dried herb per cup. Standardized extracts vary widely, and no universally agreed therapeutic dose has been established through modern clinical trials, so following product-specific labeling or consulting a qualified herbalist is advised.

### Does yarrow interact with blood thinners?

Yes, yarrow contains compounds including achillin and flavonoids that inhibit platelet aggregation and may potentiate anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin or antiplatelet agents like clopidogrel, increasing bleeding risk. Patients on any anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy should avoid therapeutic yarrow supplementation and consult their physician before use.

### Is yarrow safe during pregnancy?

Yarrow is contraindicated in pregnancy because it has historically been used as an emmenagogue and uterine stimulant, with animal studies supporting uterotonic activity attributed to its sesquiterpene lactone and alkaloid content. No controlled human safety data exist for pregnancy, and all major herbal safety references including the German Commission E classify yarrow as contraindicated during pregnancy.

### What are the active compounds in yarrow leaves?

The primary bioactives in yarrow leaves include sesquiterpene lactones (achillin, achillicin, leucodin), flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, rutin), monoterpenes (camphor, borneol, 1,8-cineole) in the volatile oil, and chlorogenic acid derivatives. Apigenin and luteolin are responsible for much of the anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic activity, while the volatile oil fraction drives the topical antimicrobial and skin barrier effects documented in clinical studies.

### What is the difference between yarrow leaf extract and yarrow essential oil for skin health?

Yarrow leaf extracts (typically standardized to active compounds like flavonoids and sesquiterpenes) are better suited for internal gut health support and microbiota modulation, while yarrow essential oil is primarily used topically for skin barrier repair and inflammation reduction. Clinical evidence supports topical oil extract for restoring skin pH and reducing erythema, whereas internal extracts show promise in preliminary human fecal models for short-chain fatty acid production. The extraction method significantly affects bioavailability and mechanism of action, making form selection dependent on your health goal.

### Can I get therapeutic amounts of yarrow from food sources or herbal tea alone?

Yarrow leaves are not commonly consumed as a food staple, so dietary sources provide minimal quantities compared to concentrated supplements or standardized extracts. Herbal tea made from dried yarrow leaves contains active compounds like flavonoids and essential oils, but the concentration and bioavailability may be lower than clinical doses used in research studies. To achieve the anti-inflammatory or microbiota-modulating effects observed in human studies, supplemental extracts are typically necessary rather than culinary or beverage preparations.

### Who is most likely to benefit from yarrow supplementation based on current research?

Individuals with compromised skin barrier function, chronic skin irritation, or inflammatory skin conditions may benefit from topical yarrow oil extract based on human irritation studies showing restoration of skin capacitance and pH. Those with dysbiosis or low short-chain fatty acid production might benefit from oral yarrow extracts based on preliminary microbiota research, though human clinical trials remain limited. People seeking anti-inflammatory support without using conventional medications may also be candidates, though evidence quality varies by health condition.

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