Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a member of the Asteraceae or Compositae plant family, commonly known as the daisy plant family; it is ancient herb which gained the nickname soldiers' woundwort, as ancient Greek legend tells that yarrow was used by the soldier Achilles to stem the bleeding wounds of soldiers in battle. In addition, the botanical name for yarrow, Achillea, is reputedly named for the ancient Greek Achilles.
A Botanical Description of Yarrow
Yarrow is a perennial herb which has daisy-like flowers of pink or white; yarrow is a plant which grows up to three feet in height and has pinnate leaves. Yarrow flowers between June and October and is native to Europe and Asia, including the UK; it is also naturalized in North America.
The Distillation of Yarrow Essential Oil
Yarrow essential oil is extracted by steam distillation of the dried herb and is produced mainly in Germany, Hungary and France; yarrow essential oil is also produced by Africa and the USA. The essential oil of yarrow is dark blue/green, due to the strong presence of the chemical component, chamazulene, also present in some of the chamomile oils. Yarrow essential oil has a fresh, herbaceous, green aroma.
Use of Yarrow Essential Oil in Aromatherapy
Yarrow essential oil possesses the following properties:
- antiseptic
- anti-inflammatory
- digestive
- astringent
- expectorant
- tonic
- carminative
- cicatrisant
- antispasmodic.
Yarrow essential oil is used in aromatherapy to treat burns, wounds, inflammation, skin problems, constipation, indigestion, high blood pressure, arthritis, dysmenorrhoea, cystitis, colds, flu, insomnia, stress, stomach ache and skin allergies.
Other Uses of Yarrow
Yarrow is also used as a drink flavoring agent, in perfumes and bath products. In homeopathy, yarrow is used to treat internal bleeding. Yarrow is also used in culinary dishes and yarrow tea is used as a general tonic or to treat colds. The medieval English herbalist, Nicholas Culpeper, recommended yarrow for insomnia; yarrow is an ancient remedy of China used to treat menstrual difficulties.
Cautions for Using Yarrow Essential Oil
Yarrow essential oil is considered to be a non-irritant and non-toxic; however, yarrow essential oil should not be used in epilepsy and may cause some skin sensitization in some people. It is also important to ensure that yarrow essential oil has been extracted from Achillea millefolium species and not from, or adulterated with, other yarrow plant species.
Yarrow essential oil is not generally recommended for use in pregnancy or with babies and young children; in pregnancy, yarrow essential oil has been known to act as an emmenagogic. As is the case when using any essential oil, care should be exercised and professional advice taken if unfamiliar in the use of a particular essential oil and how to use it correctly.
References:
Harding, Jennie 2005 Aromatherapy Massage for You UK: Duncan Baird Publishers
Lawless, Julia 1995 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils UK:Thorsons
Podlech, Dieter 2001 Herbs and Healing Plants of Britain and Europe UK: Collins Nature Guides
Price, Shirley, Price, Len 2002 2nd Edition Aromatherapy for Health Professionals UK: Churchill Livingstone
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