Achillea millefolium L. (Asteraceae/Compositae)

Abstract

An herb that grows in Asia, North America and Europe, with a long history behind its clinical use. It is said to have been used since Trojan War (C. 1200 B.C.); one legend credits Chiron, the Roman Centaur, telling Achilles how to make an ointment from it to heal the bleeding wounds of the soldiers, hence the name Achillea. Dioscorides and Galen recommended its use after surgery to prevent inflammation, and to promote healing. In the Northern hemisphere, its traditional uses include digestive problems, liver and gall-bladder conditions, menstrual irregularities, cramps, fever and wound healing. An ointment made of the fresh plant by the Scottish Highlanders is good for piles, and a decoction of the whole herb is used for bleeding piles, and for kidney disorders. A poultice of the whole herb is applied to sprains, muscular strains, rheumatism and stiff neck. The native Indians used it extensively for various medicinal purposes. The Cherokee tribe used a tea made from yarrow to aid sleep and to relieve fever; the Pawnee tribe used the stalk for pain relief. The Navajo tribe held it in highest esteem and called it ‘life medicine’ and chewed it to relieve toothache and dropped its infusion into the ear for earache; and the Chippewa inhaled steam of the plant to relieve headache. Aqueous extract of aerial parts and flowering tops increased gastric acid and mucous production, exerted a direct spasmogenic effect in vitro and prokinetic effect in vivo, protected gastric mucosa against ethanol and indomethacin-induced acute gastric lesions, against toxic chemical hepatic damage, and reduced mortality in mice. The European Commission E approved it for internal use for loss of appetite and dyspeptic disorders, and externally in the form of sitz-bath or as a compress for skin inflammation, slow-healing wounds, bacterial or fungal infections. Dried herb contains protein, carbohydrates, fat, fibers, calcium, phosphorus, phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids and phenol carbonic acid. Clinical trial also demonstrated that administration of powdered flowers to chronic kidney disease patients significantly decreased plasma nitrite and nitrate concentrations.