Achillea millefolium.  Yarrow, Milfoil   Family: Asteraceae  
PART USED: Aerial parts. Gathered during the flowering period.
ODOR: Fragrant
ACTIONS
GROUP: The circulatory system- Diaphoretics
1. Diaphoretic.[1,2,4] Antipyretic.[1,4] Febrifuge.[2]
2. Anti-inflammatory.[2,4]
3. Urinary antiseptic.[1,2] Antiseptic.[2] Diuretic.[1,4]
4. Astringent.[1,2]
5. Hemostatic.[1,4]
6. Hypotensive.[1,2,4]
7. Spasmolytic.[4]
Topical- Vulnerary.
INDICATIONS
1. All fevers.[1,2,4]
2. The common cold.[1,2,4] Catarrh.[4]
3. Cystitis.[2]  Enuresis.[2] Nephritis.[2] Kidney stones.[2]
4. Essential hypertension.[1,2,4] Hemorrhages of any sort. Hemorrhoids. "Unequal circulation". [2]
5. Delayed menstruation.[2] Uterine hemorrhaging.[2]  Menorrhagia.[2]  Leukorrhea. Amenorrhea.[1,4]
6. Anorexia.[2]  Dyspepsia.[2] Diarrhea-[1,2] especially of infants.[2] Dysentery.[1]
7. Depression.[2] Hysteria.[2] Epilepsy.[2]
8. Rheumatic conditions.[2,4]
9. Wounds.[2]
10. Debility and convalescence.[2]
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Thrombotic conditions with hypertension, including cerebral and coronary thromboses.[1,2]
COMBINATIONS
- Febrifuge, use with Elder flower and Peppermint.
- Essential hypertension, use with Tilia.
- Coronary thrombosis, use with Nettle and Melilot.
PREPARATIONS   3X /day
Dried herb  2-4 g,[1,2] or by infusion[1] 1:20.[2]
Fluid extract 1:1 in 25% alcohol  2-4 ml.[1,2,4]
Fluid extract 1:2 in 25% alcohol.[1]
Tincture 1:5 in 45% alcohol  2-4 ml.[1,2]
Local:  Douche. Lotion.

ORIGIN: Britain. Eurasia. Naturalized in North America, found in most tmperate zones of the world.
DESCRIPTION: Up to 45 cm tall, upright, scented, with finely divided leaves, and bearing numerous dense heads of small compositous flowers with 5 or 6 white or pink ray florets.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Research
Apigenin is antiinflammatory, antiplatelet and spasmolytic.[1,2] Axulenes were present are antiiflammatory, as is salicylic acid. Eugenol has local anaesthetic activity. The alkaloid betonicine has been shown to be hemostatic.[3] It has also been used as an eyewash, for diarrhea, dyspepsia, ulcers and rashes.[4] Yarrow is generally regarded as non-toxic.[4]
References
[1] Middletone, E. and Drzewiecki, G. (1984) Biochem. Pharmacol. 33, 3333
[2] Busse, W.W. et al. (1984) J. All. Clin. Immunol. 73, 801
[3] Miller, F.M. and Chow, L.M. (1954) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 76, 1353
[4] Chandler, R.F. et al. (1982) Econ. Bot. 36 (2), 203

A review on phytochemistry and medicinal properties of the genus Achillea pdf

Achillea millefolium L. s.l. revisited: recent findings confirm the traditional use.
Benedek B, Kopp B.
Abstract
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L. s.l.) is traditionally used in the treatment of inflammatory and spasmodic gastro-intestinal disorders, hepato-biliary complaints and inflammation. Now we could show that the flavonoids mediated the antispasmodic properties of yarrow, whereas the dicaffeoylquinic acids caused the choleretic effects. Moreover, we observed an in vitro-inhibition of human neutrophil elastase, a protease involved in the inflammatory process, by extracts and fractions from yarrow, which suggests additional mechanisms of antiphlogistic action. The presented results confirm the traditional use of yarrow.
PMID: 17704978 DOI: 10.1007/s10354-007-0431-9  Wien Med Wochenschr. 2007;157(13-14):312-4. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Achillea millefolium L. s.l. -- is the anti-inflammatory activity mediated by protease inhibition?
Benedek B, Kopp B, Melzig MF.
Abstract
Achillea millefolium L. s.l. is traditionally used not only in the treatment of gastro-intestinal and hepato-biliary disorders, but also as an antiphlogistic drug. As various proteases, for instance human neutrophil elastase (HNE) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and -9), are associated with the inflammatory process, the aim of this study was to test a crude plant extract in in vitro-protease inhibition assays for understanding the mechanisms of anti-inflammatory action. Furthermore, two fractions enriched in flavonoids and dicaffeoylquinic acids (DCQAs), respectively, were also tested in order to evaluate their contribution to the antiphlogistic activity of the plant. The extract and the flavonoid fraction inhibited HNE showing IC(50) values of approximately 20 microg/ml, whereas the DCQA fraction was less active (IC(50)=72 microg/ml). The inhibitory activity on MMP-2 and -9 was observed at IC(50) values from 600 to 800 microg/ml, whereas the DCQA fraction showed stronger effects than the flavonoid fraction and the extract. In conclusion, the in vitro-antiphlogistic activity of Achillea is at least partly mediated by inhibition of HNE and MMP-2 and -9. After the recently described spasmolytic and choleretic effects the obtained results give further insights into the pharmacological activity of Achillea and confirm the traditional application as antiphlogistic drug.
PMID: 17689902 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2007.06.014 J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Sep 5;113(2):312-7. Epub 2007 Jul 3.  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of aqueous extract of Achillea millefolium on the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6 mice.
Vazirinejad R, Ayoobi F1, Arababadi MK2, Eftekharian MM3, Darekordi A4, Goudarzvand M5, Hassanshahi G2, Taghavi MM6, Ahmadabadi BN1, Kennedy D7, Shamsizadeh A1.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Achillea millefolium (A. millefolium) is widely used as an anti-inflammatory remedy in traditional and herbal medicine. In this study, we investigated the effect of an aqueous extract from A. millefolium on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and on the serum cytokine levels in C57BL/6 mice.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
EAE was induced in 63 C57BL/6 mice weighing 20-25 g (8 weeks old). Following immunization, the treatment protocol was initiated by using different doses of an aqueous extract from A. millefolium (1, 5, and 10 mg/mouse/day). Histopathologic assessments were performed by hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) and luxol fast blue (LFB) staining. Behavioral disabilities were recorded by a camera. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
RESULTS:
On average, mice developed classical behavioral disabilities of EAE, 13.2 ± 1.9 days following immunization. Treatment of mice with A. millefolium led to delay the appearance of behavioral disabilities along with reduced severity of the behavioral disabilities. Treatment with A. millefolium prevented weight loss and increased serum levels of TGF-ß in immunized mice with MOG35-55. EAE-induced mice, which were treated with A. millefolium, had less cerebral infiltration of inflammatory cells.
CONCLUSION:
The results demonstrated that treatment with aqueous extract of A. millefolium may attenuate disease severity, inflammatory responses, and demyelinating lesions in EAE-induced mice. In addition, following treatment with A. millefolium, serum levels of TGF-ßwere increased in EAE-induced mice.
KEYWORDS:
Achillea millefolium; cytokines; experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; multiple sclerosis
PMID: 24987178 PMCID: PMC4071708 DOI: 10.4103/0253-7613.132168 Indian J Pharmacol. 2014 May-Jun;46(3):303-8. doi: 10.4103/0253-7613.132168. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anxiolytic-like effects of acute and chronic treatment with Achillea millefolium L. extract.
Baretta IP, Felizardo RA, Bimbato VF, dos Santos MG, Kassuya CA, Gasparotto Junior A, da Silva CR, de Oliveira SM, Ferreira J, Andreatini R.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:
Achillea millefolium L. (Asteraceae), known as yarrow ("mil folhas"), has been used as folk medicine for gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation, anxiety, and insomnia.
AIM:
To evaluate the potential anxiolytic-like effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium L. in animal models.
METHODS:
The present study evaluated the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract from the aerial parts of Achillea millefolium L. in mice subjected to the elevated plus-maze, marble-burying, and open-field tests. Additionally, the GABA(A)/benzodiazepine (BDZ) mediation of the effects of Achillea millefolium was evaluated by pretreatment with the noncompetitive GABA(A) receptor antagonist picrotoxin and the BDZ antagonist flumazenil and by [(3)H]-flunitrazepam binding to the BDZ site on the GABA(A) receptor.
RESULTS:
Achillea millefolium exerted anxiolytic-like effects in the elevated plus-maze and marble-burying test after acute and chronic (25 days) administration at doses that did not alter locomotor activity. This behavioral profile was similar to diazepam. The effects of Achillea millefolium in the elevated plus-maze were not altered by picrotoxin pretreatment but were partially blocked by flumazenil. Furthermore, Achillea millefolium did not induce any changes in [(3)H]-flunitrazepam binding.
CONCLUSION:
The results indicate that the orally administered hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium L. exerted anxiolytic-like effects that likely were not mediated by GABA(A)/BDZ neurotransmission and did not present tolerance after short-term, repeated administration.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
PMID: 22155391 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.11.047  J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Mar 6;140(1):46-54. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.11.047. Epub 2011 Dec 6. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Minireview on Achillea millefolium Linn
Muhammad Akram
Abstract
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) is an important medicinal plant with different pharmaceutical uses. A. millefolium has been used for centuries to treat various diseases including malaria, hepatitis and jaundice. A. millefolium is commonly prescribed to treat liver disorders. It is also used as an anti-inflammatory agent and is a hepatoprotective herb. A. millefolium is considered safe for supplemental use. It has antihepatotoxic effects also. It is prescribed as an astringent agent. It is prescribed in hemorrhoids, headache, bleeding disorders, bruises, cough, influenza, pneumonia, kidney stones, high blood pressure, menstrual disorders, fever, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, hemorrhagic disorders, chicken pox, cystitis, diabetes mellitus, indigestion, dyspepsia, eczema, psoriasis and boils.
J Membr Biol 2013 Sep;246(9):661-3. doi: 10.1007/s00232-013-9588-x. PMID: 23959026 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov