The yarrow plant is a common ornamental found in gardens throughout North America, Europe and Asia, and its flower tops and leaves are also used in traditional herbal medicine. You can take yarrow orally or use it topically for a variety of medicinal purposes. Yarrow can help to treat gastrointestinal ailments, menstrual problems in women, minor wounds and bleeding, as well as colds, flu and fevers.
Please consult your physician before attempting herbal remedies at home.
Staunching Bleeding
In traditional herbal medicine, yarrow has been used primarily to stop bleeding and heal wounds, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Yarrow contains astringent properties that help to staunch minor bleeding when applied topically to wounds or injuries, Drug Digest says. The astringent actions also tighten the skin layers, prevent inflammation around the wound and ease irritation. You can crush the yarrow flower tops and leaves to make a topical poultice for stopping bleeding from cuts, scrapes and even nosebleeds, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Yarrow may also help to prevent infections from minor wounds due to its anti-inflammatory effects and mild antibacterial properties, Drug Digest adds. Today, yarrow is used to treat hemorrhoids and varicose veins.
Relieving Indigestion & GI Tract Inflammation
If you take yarrow orally, it can help to treat gastrointestinal problems. The yarrow plant contains flavonoids, which are chemicals that can increase secretions of saliva, bile and other stomach acids in the GI tract, Drug Digest says. These secretions can help to improve digestion and increase appetite, as well as reduce heartburn or acid reflux. The flavonoids and other chemical components in yarrow can also decrease spasms in the smooth muscles, which can ease stomach cramps and further help to treat GI problems, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Yarrow's volatile oil contains alkamides that have shown anti-inflammatory actions in test tube studies, the University of Michigan adds. The anti-inflammatory properties in yarrow oil may help in treating Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Easing Menstrual Cramps
The same relaxing effects that yarrow provides for the GI tract also affect the smooth muscles of the uterus, Drug Digest points out. If you have pain and cramps from menstruation, taking yarrow may help to relieve these problems, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Yarrow's relaxing effects on the uterus may also help to treat amenorrhea by regulating menstrual cycles and heavy menstruation.
Treating Colds & Flu
Yarrow may also help to treat colds, flu and fevers. If you take yarrow orally, the herb induces sweating and reduces fever, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Yarrow also has mild diuretic effects, meaning it increases urine flow. You can drink a tea made of yarrow when you first begin to experience cold or flu symptoms to induce sweating and fight infection, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. For treating colds, flu and fevers, you can steep 1 or 2 tsp. of dried yarrow in 1 cup of hot water.
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