English name: Milfoil
Family: Asteraceae
Botanical characteristic: A perennial herb that grows to a height of 60 cm. The stem is stiff, branching at the top. The leaves are double to triple-feathered, alternately arranged. The inflorescences are grouped in panicles. The fruit is an achene. The whole plant is covered with grey felt.
Microscopic drawing:
Distribution: It grows in grassy meadows, pastures, rum meadows, roadsides, forest edges and gardens.
Drug: Millefolii herba, Millefolii flos
Harvesting method: Flowers and twigs are harvested from June to September. The white flower clusters are harvested before flowering. The panicles are harvested at the beginning of flowering.
Drying: Yarrow is not difficult to dry. It dries naturally in the shade, in thin layers (3 – 5 cm), in a ventilated room. It can be dried loosely hanging in bundles.
Active substances: Yarrow is characterised by its characteristic smell, which is caused by the volatile substances of the essential oil. Yarrow essential oil is composed of monoterpenes, with cineol, sabinene, camphene and linalool predominating. Of the sesquiterpenes, caryophyllene, germacrene and bisabolol may be mentioned. The essential oil is also composed of chamazulene and its precursors from the proazulene group. The bitter taste of yarrow is due to the sesquiterpene-lactone-structured bitters. Other constituents include flavonoids, tannins, organic acids, coumarins, polyynes and betaines.
Uses: Yarrow is primarily used to aid digestion and to stimulate the appetite. It is reported to stimulate bile secretion, thereby promoting fat digestion, but it also has antispasmodic effects. When applied externally, it is used on minor wounds or inflamed mucous membranes. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potential is claimed.
Traditional method of use in indications determined solely on the basis of long-term use:
– supportive treatment for temporary loss of appetite,
– symptomatic treatment of mild gastrointestinal spasms, including bloating and flatulence,
– symptomatic treatment of mild menstrual cramps,
– treatment of minor superficial wounds.
Selected herbal preparations: AGROKARPATY Organic Yarrow herbal tea 20×2 g, AGROKARPATY Weight Loss herbal tea 20×2 g, APOTHEKE BEAUTIFUL TEA WITH BEETS 20×1,5 g, DR. POPOV UNIVERSAL CLEANSING TEA funnel bags 20×1,5 g, Dr.Max Women’s Herbal Blend funnel bags 20×1,5 g, FYTO REBIRCH SYMPHANE TEA 1×30 g, HERBALMED HOT DRINK cold and cold / respiratory tract and immunity 180 g, damper PERIOD BALANCE cps 60 pcs, Liv.52 tbl 120 pcs, J.V. KVAPKY – KLIM for women’s problems during menopause 50 ml.