Yarrow, or Achillea millefolium, is a cool medicinal plant with some pretty neat health perks. It’s great for tackling cramps and muscle spasms, and it can help speed up wound healing.
This plant has anti-inflammatory properties, so if you’re dealing with arthritis or arthrosis, it might help ease your pain. Plus, sipping on yarrow herbal tea can be a nice aid for digestion.
Yarrow is also used to tackle digestive issues like bloating, gas, and upset stomach. It can even help with PMS symptoms like cramps and breast tenderness.
You can use dried yarrow leaves and flowers to whip up herbal remedies. It comes in different forms, like herbal tea, tinctures, essential oils, tablets, or creams. The essential oil is mainly used for topical applications or aromatherapy.
Heads Up: If you have certain health conditions, it’s best to check with a doc before using yarrow products.
What Kind of Plant is Yarrow?
Yarrow, or Achillea millefoglie, is a small, perennial herb from the Asteraceae family. It’s commonly found in temperate regions, especially in Europe and parts of Asia. You’ll spot it all over Italy too!
This little plant has jagged, feathery leaves that smell a bit like chamomile and camphor when you rub them. It blooms with yellowish-white (sometimes pink) flower heads from May to October, and sheep love munching on its leaves.
The flowering tops and leaves are what you’ll use for herbal remedies.
What Does Yarrow Taste Like?
Yarrow has a slightly bitter and peppery flavor, kind of like mugwort. If it’s too strong for your taste, you can mix it with other herbs to mellow it out. It’s not just for medicine, though; you can also use it in cooking! The flowers can jazz up cookies and cakes, while the leaves are great in soups and savory dishes.
Benefits of Yarrow
Yarrow packs a punch with its active ingredients, including:
- Luteolin
- Apigenin
- Routine
- Quercetin
- Various acids like vanillic and caffeic
These compounds mainly fall into two categories: flavonoids, which help with spasms, and caffeoylquinic acids, which support digestion.
Helps with Digestion: Yarrow can soothe digestive issues by boosting gastric enzymes, helping with bloating, cramps, constipation, or diarrhea. Drinking yarrow tea might also ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Fights Anxiety and Depression: Thanks to its flavonoids and alkaloids, yarrow can help reduce anxiety and mild depression by lowering stress hormones.
Reduces Cramps and Spasms: Yarrow can help prevent cramps and relax muscles, which is great for easing pain and swelling.
Natural PMS Remedy: Some studies suggest yarrow can help with menstrual cramps and other cycle-related issues after a couple of months of use.
Skin Regenerator: Applying a cream with yarrow extract twice a day can improve skin appearance, reduce wrinkles, and help with irritation.
Speeds Up Wound Healing: Yarrow extract can help wounds heal faster by promoting skin cell growth and migration to the injury site.
Infection Fighter: Yarrow can help tackle infections from parasites, viruses, and bacteria. It might even improve tonsillitis symptoms when combined with other treatments.
Blood Pressure Buddy: Regularly drinking yarrow tea could help keep your blood pressure in check and lower the risk of heart issues.
