Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) has for many years been used by herbalists for a variety of complaints.
Yarrow is found throughout Europe and America. It is available in the form of teas, tinctures and powders.
Yarrow contains lactones, flavonoids, tannins, resins, coumarins, saponins, sterols, fatty acids and sugars. The most studied – and possibly the most active – constituents are the volatile oils, including azulene, pinenes, borneols and others.
Yarrow has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, astringent, antibacterial and choleretic (bile stimulating) activities.
King's American Dispensary lists yarrow as one of the best agents for relief of menorrhagia (excess menstrual bleeding) because of its ability to relax the uterine wall.