WOUND & SCAR HEALING

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

also known as Soldier's woundwort, Milfoil, Nosebleed plant

Moderate (traditional)

Yarrow — Köhler 1887 botanical illustration

A wildflower with feathery leaves and flat-topped white or pink flower clusters, named after the Greek hero Achilles, who was said to have used it to staunch the wounds of his soldiers. Yarrow has been used across European, Indigenous American, and Chinese traditions for at least three thousand years — for wounds, fevers, digestion, and women's complaints.

Topical use to stop minor bleeding and support wound healing — a use that gave the plant its old name 'soldier's woundwort'
Traditional use for fevers, often as a hot tea to encourage sweating
Eases menstrual cramps and may help reduce heavy menstrual bleeding
Bitter digestive support — eases gas, bloating, and sluggish digestion
Mild anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial action
Long traditional use across multiple cultures — almost any culture growing native to its range used it

Active in Achilleine, Flavonoids, Volatile oils (azulene, camphor), Sesquiterpene lactones.

Possible cross-reactivity with ragweed and other daisy-family allergies

Skip during pregnancy — can stimulate the uterus and cause bleeding

Skip during nursing

Use caution with blood thinners — yarrow has mild anticoagulant action

Use caution with sedatives — additive calming effect

Use caution with diabetes medication — may lower blood sugar

Stop two weeks before surgery

Can cause skin photosensitivity in sensitive people

Some people experience contact dermatitis from handling fresh yarrow

Memorial Sloan Kettering About Herbs · EMA Herbal Medicinal Product Monographs · American Botanical Council HerbMedPro

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