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Yarrow Medicinal Uses: The Ultimate Guide to Yarrow

April 12, 2025 - By Rosa Wilde

Yarrow Medicinal Uses: Everything You Need to Know About Yarrow

Yarrow Medicinal Uses: When you first encounter yarrow, you might not think of it as much more than a common roadside plant, growing wild and free in the fields.

But once you start learning about its medicinal uses, you’ll soon realise that yarrow is far from ordinary.

This humble herb, with its delicate white or pink flowers, has been revered for centuries in various cultures for its incredible healing properties.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the medicinal benefits of yarrow, how to forage for it safely, and how to make potent yarrow remedies that you can incorporate into your natural health routine.

By the end of this post, you’ll know why yarrow deserves a place in your herbal apothecary and why it’s so much more than just a “weed”!

Wild yarrow typically has white or pale pink flowers, while cultivated varieties come in reds, oranges, purples and yellows:

woman's arm holding bunch of yellow yarrow flowers

Yarrow Medicinal Uses

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) has been used in herbal medicine for centuries across various cultures.

From ancient Greece, where it was used to treat wounds in battle, to modern herbalists, who use it to support overall health, yarrow’s medicinal benefits are vast and diverse.

This herb is celebrated for its ability to address a variety of health concerns—from wound healing and immune support to digestive health and inflammation reduction.

1. Wound Healing and Skin Health

One of yarrow’s most ancient uses is for treating wounds.

In fact, its name “Achillea” comes from the legendary Greek hero Achilles, who is said to have used yarrow to treat the wounds of his soldiers during the Trojan War¹.

Yarrow has natural antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and haemostatic (blood-stopping) properties.

It’s a go-to herb for cuts, scrapes, and even internal bleeding.

How Yarrow Helps with Wound Healing:

Antiseptic properties: Yarrow helps prevent infection in cuts and scrapes by killing harmful bacteria

Haemostatic action: It helps stop bleeding by constricting blood vessels and promoting clotting²

Anti-inflammatory benefits: Yarrow can reduce swelling, redness, and pain around wounds

How to Use Yarrow for Wound Healing:

Yarrow Infused Oil: Infuse yarrow flowers in olive oil for a couple of weeks, then strain³. Apply topically to cuts, bruises, or skin irritations

Yarrow Poultice: Crush fresh yarrow leaves and apply them directly to the wound to help promote healing and stop bleeding

Yarrow Tea: Drinking yarrow tea can support the body’s ability to heal from the inside out by boosting circulation and immune function

Crush or chew fresh yarrow leaves to create a poultice:

Hand holding bunch of yarrow plant with leaves and flowers

2. Immune System Support

Yarrow is packed with antioxidants, flavonoids, and essential vitamins that can boost your immune system.

When you feel a cold coming on, yarrow can be a helpful way to support your body’s defences and help you recover faster.

How Yarrow Helps with Immune Health:

Rich in antioxidants: Yarrow contains powerful antioxidants, which protect your body from oxidative stress and help fight off infections

Promotes sweating: Yarrow has mild diaphoretic (sweat-inducing) properties, making it ideal for helping the body expel toxins through perspiration⁴

How to Use Yarrow for Immune Support:

Yarrow Tincture: A tincture made from yarrow can be used as a preventative remedy to boost the immune system during cold and flu season

Yarrow Tea: Steep dried yarrow flowers in hot water to create a tea that can help reduce fever and encourage the body to sweat out toxins

Yarrow tea can be drunk hot to help sweat out a fever:

3. Digestive Health and Stomach Support

Yarrow has long been used as a digestive aid.

It can help reduce symptoms of bloating, indigestion, and cramping, and can even support liver function by stimulating bile production.

How Yarrow Helps with Digestion:

Promotes bile flow: As a bitter herb, yarrow is known to stimulate the gallbladder.⁵ This helps the digestive system break down fats more effectively

Reduces bloating and cramping: Yarrow soothes the stomach and intestines, alleviating discomfort caused by indigestion

How to Use Yarrow for Digestion:

Yarrow Tea: Drink yarrow tea after meals to support digestion and relieve bloating

Yarrow Tincture: A tincture of yarrow can be used for more concentrated digestive support

The leaves, flowers and roots of yarrow can all be used to make tincture:

4. Anti-Inflammatory and Pain Relief

Yarrow’s anti-inflammatory properties go beyond wound healing.

It can help reduce pain and inflammation in the body, and is especially beneficial for conditions like arthritis and muscle soreness.

How Yarrow Helps with Inflammation:

Anti-inflammatory compounds: Yarrow contains flavonoids and tannins that help reduce inflammation throughout the body

Pain relief: By soothing inflammation, yarrow can help reduce joint pain, muscle aches, and discomfort from chronic conditions like arthritis.

How to Use Yarrow for Inflammation:

Yarrow Tea: Drinking yarrow tea regularly can help reduce systemic inflammation and alleviate chronic pain

Yarrow Poultice: Apply a poultice of fresh yarrow leaves to inflamed joints or muscles for targeted pain relief

5. Menstrual Health and Hormonal Balance

Yarrow has a rich history of being used to support women’s health.

It helps regulate menstrual cycles and ease menstrual discomfort.

Yarrow can reduce heavy bleeding, cramps, and other PMS symptoms.

How Yarrow Helps with Menstrual Health:

Regulates menstrual flow: Yarrow can help regulate heavy periods by balancing hormone levels

Reduces menstrual cramps: Its antispasmodic properties help relax painful uterine muscle spasms during menstruation⁶

Promotes hormonal balance: Yarrow can help balance oestrogen levels and reduce symptoms of hormonal imbalances

How to Use Yarrow for Menstrual Health:

Yarrow Tea: Drinking yarrow tea before and during menstruation can help reduce cramps and regulate flow

Yarrow Tincture: A tincture of yarrow can help support overall hormonal balance

Yarrow tincture can be made with fresh yarrow flowers and vodka:

6. Skin Health and Acne Treatment

Yarrow’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties make it an excellent choice for supporting skin health.

It can help treat acne, eczema, and other skin conditions by reducing inflammation and promoting healing.

How Yarrow Helps with Skin Health:

Reduces acne inflammation: Yarrow’s soothing properties help calm inflamed skin and reduce the redness and swelling associated with acne

Promotes skin healing: Yarrow encourages skin regeneration and supports the healing of wounds, cuts, and other skin lesions

Antimicrobial benefits: Yarrow helps fight the bacteria that can cause acne and other skin infections

How to Use Yarrow for Skin Health:

Yarrow Oil: Infuse yarrow in a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil and apply to acne-prone skin for a natural treatment

Yarrow Tea: Drinking yarrow tea can support overall skin health and promote a clear complexion

Yarrow Face Mask: Mix yarrow powder with honey or clay for a gentle, nourishing face mask

Foraging for Yarrow

Yarrow is easy to find in temperate regions and grows in a variety of habitats, from roadsides and meadows to forest clearings.

Here’s how to safely forage for it:

Habitat and Growing Conditions:

Commonly found: Yarrow grows in sunny, well-drained areas such as roadsides, fields, and gardens.
Best time to harvest: The flowers of yarrow are most potent when harvested during its bloom, typically from late spring to early summer.

Key Identifiers of Yarrow:

Feathery leaves: Yarrow’s species name “Millefolium” comes from the Latin words mille (thousand) and folium (leaf). The plant has fern-like leaves with many tiny leaflets. Yarrow leaves have a fragrant, aromatic scent when crushed, similar to thyme.

Yarrow leaves are feathery and finely divided:

Clustered flowers: Yarrow has composite flower heads (structures that look like single flowers but are actually made up of lots of tiny flowers grouped closely together). Yarrow flowers also have a distinct aroma when crushed.

Yarrow’s flowers grow in flat-topped clusters, typically white or pale pink:

Culinary Uses of Yarrow

While yarrow is most commonly used for medicinal purposes, it can also be enjoyed in the kitchen. Here are a few creative ways to add it to your meals:

Yarrow Leaf Salad: Add the young, tender leaves to salads for a fresh, slightly bitter flavour

Yarrow Infused Honey: Steep yarrow flowers in honey for a floral addition to your teas or as a topping for toast

Yarrow Tea: A soothing tea made from dried yarrow flowers can be enjoyed hot or iced

Yarrow Gardening Tips

Sun: Yarrow thrives in full sun; it tolerates partial shade but may get leggy

Soil: Yarrow prefers poor, well-drained soil (sandy or rocky). Avoid rich, overly fertilised soil to prevent legginess and fungal issues

Water: Drought-tolerant once established. Avoid overwatering and soggy soil

Deadheading: Remove spent yarrow flowers to encourage more blooms

Pollinators: Attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects – great for wildlife gardens

Spreading: Yarrow can spread aggressively through seeds and rhizomes; use containment methods if you don’t want it to take over

Companion Planting: Yarrow helps improve soil health and supports neighbouring plants

Yarrow liquid fertiliser: Yarrow is known as a “dynamic accumulator,” meaning it can draw nutrients from deep within the soil. If you then turn yarrow into a mulch or liquid fertiliser, this will benefit your other plants

Resilience: Yarrow is wind-resistant and hardy – ideal for wildflower meadows and tough garden spots

Classification

Taxonomy:

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is part of the Achillea group in the daisy family, Asteraceae. This family also includes plants like daisies, chamomile, and sunflowers.

Etymology:

The name Achillea comes from the Greek hero Achilles. According to legend, he used yarrow to help heal his soldiers’ wounds during the Trojan War.

Millefolium is a Latin word that means “a thousand leaves” because yarrow has soft, feathery leaves that look like they’re made up of lots of tiny leaves.

Fun Facts About Yarrow

Yarrow thrives in poor soil, dry conditions, and even cracks in the pavement. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and super low-maintenance – ideal for wild patches and herb spirals

Yarrow attracts bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and ladybirds. Its long blooming season, high nectar yield and easy-landing flower heads make it easier for pollinators to do their job

In traditional Chinese divination, dried yarrow stalks were used to cast the I Ching. They were chosen because they represent a balance of flexibility and strength, reflecting the principles of the Book of Changes

Yarrow has long been used in folk magic and protection rituals. Hung over doorways or worn in amulets, it was believed to ward off negative energies and keep evil spirits away

Yarrow was believed to ensure a lasting love when hung over a bridal bed for seven years. Some traditions say yarrow under your pillow will reveal your future partner in dreams.

Yarrow is a safe plant to introduce to little ones:

girl wearing sunglasses holding yarrow plant

90-Day Family Herbalist

Now that you’ve learned all about the amazing benefits of yarrow and other medicinal herbs, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice.

90-Day Family Herbalist is a step-by-step guide to help you become the confident, knowledgeable herbalist your family needs.

Whether you’re seeking to improve your health, support a loved one, or build your very own herbal apothecary, this course will teach you how to use herbs like yarrow and many others to make effective remedies.

Imagine having a fully stocked herbal medicine cabinet, knowing exactly what to do when someone in your family is feeling under the weather.

Start your herbal journey today—your family’s health and well-being depend on it.

References

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