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Common yarrow

Common yarrow is a plant whose parts growing above the ground are used to make medicine.

Commonyarrow is used to treat fever, colds, hay fever, missed periods, dysentery, diarrhea, loss of appetite and digestive complaints, as well as to stimulate sweating. Some people chew the fresh leaves of common yarrow to relieve toothache. Common yarrow is applied to the skin to stop bleeding from hemorrhoids and to help heal wounds. In addition, common yarrow is used as a sitz bath for cramp-like complaints in the lower pelvic area in women. In combination with other medicinal plants, common yarrow is used for flatulence, bloating, mild cramps in the digestive tract and other complaints in the digestive tract. In food, the young leaves and flowers of common yarrow are used as an ingredient in salads. In industrial production, common yarrow is used as a cosmetic cleaning agent and in snuff. The oil of common yarrow is used in shampoos.

How does common yarrow work?

Common yarrow contains chemicals that may affect blood pressure and have anti-inflammatory effects.

How effective is common yarrow?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of common yarrow for fever, colds, hay fever, diarrhea, upset stomach, bloating, flatulence and toothache. More scientific information is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of common yarrow in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Commonyarrow appears to be safe and harmless for most adults. In some people, common yarrow may cause drowsiness and increase urine flow when taken orally. If common yarrow comes into contact with the skin, it may cause skin irritation.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Common yarrow should not be taken orally during pregnancy. It is believed to affect the menstrual cycle and could cause miscarriages. Not enough is known about the safety and harmlessness of common yarrow during breastfeeding, so breastfeeding women should avoid common yarrow to be on the safe side. Allergies to broomweed and related plants: Common yarrow could cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this plant family include broomweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies and many others. If you suffer from allergies, you should consult your doctor before taking common yarrow.

Operations: Common yarrow may slow down blood clotting. There are concerns that this could increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. For this reason, the use of common yarrow should be stopped at least 2 weeks before planned operations.

Interactions

Common yarrow should not be combined with the following medications Medications that slow down blood clotting Large amounts of common yarrow may slow down blood clotting. Taking common yarrow in combination with medicines that also slow down blood clotting could increase the risk of bleeding and the tendency to bruise. Some medications that can slow blood clotting include aspirin, diclofenac (Voltaren), ibuprofen, naproxen and others.

Care should be taken when combining common yarrow with the following medications:

Lithium

Commonyarrow may have a dehydrating (diuretic) effect. Taking common yarrow may interfere with the body's excretion of lithium, which could result in increased lithium levels and serious side effects. For this reason, it is important to consult your doctor before using common yarrow if you are taking lithium. The dosage of lithium may need to be adjusted.

Sedatives (barbiturates)

Common y arrow may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Drugs that cause drowsiness are called sedatives. Taking common yarrow in combination with sedatives could increase drowsiness too much.

Care should be taken when combining common yarrow with the following medications:

Acid blockers

Acid blockers are used to reduce the acidity of stomach acid. Common yarrow may increase stomach acid production. By increasing stomach acid production in this way, common yarrow could reduce the effectiveness of acid blockers.

Drugs that reduce the production of gastric acid (H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors)

Commonyarrow could increase gastric acid production. By increasing gastric acid production, common yarrow may reduce the effectiveness of medications to reduce gastric acid production.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of common yarrow depends on various factors such as age, health status and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to determine appropriate dosage ranges for common yarrow. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

  1. Boswell-Ruys, C. L., Ritchie, H. E., and Brown-Woodman, P. D. Preliminary screening study of reproductive outcomes after exposure to yarrow in the pregnant rat. Birth Defects Res B Dev.Reprod.Toxicol. 2003;68(5):416-420. view abstract.
  2. Compes, E., Bartolome, B., Fernandez-Nieto, M., Sastre, J., and Cuesta, J. Occupational asthma from dried flowers of Carthamus tinctorious (safflower) and Achillea millefolium (yarrow). Allergy 2006;61(10):1239-1240. view abstract.
  3. Davies, M. G. and Kersey, P. J. Contact allergy to yarrow and dandelion. Contact Dermatitis 1986;14(4):256-257. view abstract.
  4. Dutkiewicz, J., Krysinska-Traczyk, E., Skorska, C., Sitkowska, J., Prazmo, Z., and Golec, M. Exposure to airborne microorganisms and endotoxin in herb processing plants. Ann Agric.Environ.Med 2001;8(2):201-211. view abstract.
  5. Final report on the safety assessment of Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Extract. Int J Toxicol. 2001;20 Suppl 2:79-84. view abstract.
  6. Guin, J. D. and Skidmore, G. Compositae dermatitis in childhood. Arch Dermatol. 1987;123(4):500-502. view abstract.
  7. Hausen, B. M. and Oestmann, G. [The incidence of occupationally-induced allergic skin diseases in a large flower market]. Derm.profession.environment. 1988;36(4):117-124. View abstract.
  8. Hausen, B. M., Breuer, J., Weglewski, J., and Rucker, G. alpha-Peroxyachifolide and other new sensitizing sesquiterpene lactones from yarrow (Achillea millefolium L., Compositae). Contact Dermatitis 1991;24(4):274-280. view abstract.
  9. Jovanovic, M., Poljacki, M., Duran, V., Vujanovic, L., Sente, R., and Stojanovic, S. Contact allergy to Compositae plants in patients with atopic dermatitis. Med Pregl. 2004;57(5-6):209-218. view abstract.
  10. Molochko, V. A., Lastochkina, T. M., Krylov, I. A., and Brangulis, K. A. [The antistaphylococcal properties of plant extracts in relation to their prospective use as therapeutic and prophylactic formulations for the skin]. Vestn.Dermatol Venerol. 1990;(8):54-56. View abstract.
  11. Paulsen, E., Andersen, K. E., and Hausen, B. M. Compositae dermatitis in a Danish dermatology department in one year (I). Results of routine patch testing with the sesquiterpene lactone mix supplemented with aimed patch testing with extracts and sesquiterpene lactones of Compositae plants. Contact Dermatitis 1993;29(1):6-10. view abstract.
  12. Paulsen, E., Andersen, K. E., and Hausen, B. M. Sensitization and cross-reaction patterns in Danish Compositae-allergic patients. Contact Dermatitis 2001;45(4):197-204. view abstract.
  13. Schempp, C. M., Schopf, E., and Simon, J. C. [Plant-induced toxic and allergic dermatitis (phytodermatitis)]. Dermatology 2002;53(2):93-97. View abstract.
  14. Uter, W., Nohle, M., Randerath, B., and Schwanitz, H. J. Occupational contact urticaria and late-phase bronchial asthma caused by compositae pollen in a florist. Am J Contact Dermat. 2001;12(3):182-184. view abstract.
  15. Van der Weijden, G. A., Timmer, C. J., Timmerman, M. F., Reijerse, E., Mantel, M. S., and van, der, V. The effect of herbal extracts in an experimental mouthrinse on established plaque and gingivitis. J Clin Periodontol. 1998;25(5):399-403. view abstract.