Achillea millefolium
Botanical Nomenclature | Achillea millefolium |
Common Name | Common Yarrow, Yarrow |
Taxonomy- Family | Compositae or Asteraceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Achillea millefolium is a perennial, herbaceous plant growing from 30 to 60cm, with sharp, pinnate, plush, green leaves and fragrant, white or pink flowers in inflorescence. The flowering and the harvesting takes place from May to October. |
Region Found | Epirus |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Shoots, leaves |
Active Substances | Flavonoids, phenolic acids, essential oil, which contains 1-8 cineole, Proazulene and achilleine (bitter agent) |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The whole plant has anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, diuretic, antihypertensive, antihaemorrhagics, gastroprotective, antispasmodic and bronchodilator properties. The plant's juice is used as astringent, anti-inflammatory and healing in the form of poultice for the treatment of wounds, edema and skin ulcers. It is also recommended against anorexia and dyspepsia. Finally, due to its soothing action the herbal tea is administered to treat the stomach, intestine, biliary and renal (lithiasis) pain. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered as orexigenic and soothing in the form of herbal tea (a spoon of dried herb in a cup of boiled water, three times a day). The juice of the plant is used in the form of poultice to treat various skin problems. Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | Plant's consumption may cause dermatitis. |
References | 1) Bιβλίο: Τα φαρμακευτικά βότανα και οι θεραπευτικές τους ιδιότητες, Λάμπρου Π. Σπύρου, Αγροτικός εκδοτικός οίκος, Αθήνα 1981, A' τόμος, σελίδες: 133-134 2) Βιβλίο: Οδηγός των φαρμακευτικών φυτών, Paul Schauenberg, Ferdinand Paris, Εκδότης Μ. Γκιούρδας, Αθήνα 1981, σελίδες 273-274, 3)Nevena Grdovi? et al (2012). The protective effect of a mix of Lactarius deterrimus and Castanea sativa extracts on streptozotocininduced oxidative stress and pancreatic βcell death. British Journal of Nutrition 4)http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8697574 5)http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-151-yarrow.aspx?activeingredientid=151&activeingredientname=yarrow 6)http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/2011/martinso_kris/interactions.htm |