Stomach problems? Try Yarrow!

Achillea millefolium L (A. millefolium), commonly known as “yarrow”, is a flowering herb in the Asteraceae family indigenous to Africa, Asia, North America, and Europe. Parts of this plant have been harvested and used for centuries across multiple continents for a variety of health conditions including bleeding, infection, and inflammation. In more recent years, yarrowhas been studied for its potential role in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Ulcerative Colitis. 

Yarrow contains a variety of chemical compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and volatile oils (1). The most prominent chemical observed in the aromatic oil is azulene, which is converted to chamazulene through steam distillation. Chamazulene presents with a deep blue color and has shown both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity (2). 

A study by Mohammad-Taghi Moradi et al concluded that yarrow  reduced stomach cramps in rats (3). A possible theory for this mechanism is yarrow blocks calcium ion channels, leading to smooth muscle relaxation in the gastrointestinal tract (4). This reduction in contractions may help to ease symptoms in patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

A second study by Mohamed et al examined the effect of yarrow on Ulcerative Colitis in mice. The study found that mice given yarrow essential oil showed a slower rate of disease progression and displayed fewer symptoms than the control group (1). The study also found that inflammatory cytokines present in Ulcerative Colitis were significantly lower in the group given yarrow oil. 

There is still much to learn about the complex constituents present in this ancient remedy, but the results from multiple modern scientific studies imply that yarrow holds potential for treatment in chronic gastrointestinal disorders. Yarrow shows little to no side effects allowing it to be used alone or in conjunction with other pharmaceutical therapies to alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms.

Yarrow is available in supplement and tea forms. It is advised to use extreme caution if harvesting your own herbs, as there are some poisonous plants that look very similar to yarrow.

• Mohamed ME, Elsayed SA, Madkor HR, Eldien HMS, Mohafez OM. Yarrow oil ameliorates ulcerative colitis in mice model via regulating the NF-κB and PPAR-γ pathways. Intest Res. 2021;19(2):194-205. doi:10.5217/ir.2020.00021

• Wang X, Dong K, Ma Y, Jin Q, Yin S, Wang S. Hepatoprotective effects of chamazulene against alcohol-induced liver damage by alleviation of oxidative stress in rat models. Open Life Sci. 2020;15(1):251-258. Published 2020 Apr 20. doi:10.1515/biol-2020-0026

• Moradi MT, Rafieian-Koupaei M, Imani-Rastabi R, et al. Antispasmodic effects of yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) extract in the isolated ileum of rat. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2013;10(6):499-503. Published 2013 Oct 3. doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v10i6.19

• Ayoobi F, Shamsizadeh A, Fatemi I, et al. Bio-effectiveness of the main flavonoids of Achillea millefolium in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders- a review. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2017;20(6):604-612. doi:10.22038/IJBMS.2017.8827

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board