Does yarrow help with menstrual concerns?

    Last Updated: October 13, 2024

    Though yarrow has a tradition of use for menstrual and reproductive concerns, there aren’t many clinical studies on the subject. The most promising clinical evidence found that the use of yarrow tea (4 g dried flowers) may help reduce the pain associated with dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) when taken three times a day during the first three days of the monthly cycle.[1] Preclinical evidence from rat trials may also support the idea that other achilleas (not A. millefolium , but A. biebersteinii and A. cretica) could aid in management of endometriosis symptoms, but these conclusions should not be applied directly to humans without further clinical support.[2][3]

    There is some evidence that yarrow may be useful for ameliorating vaginal and breast infections, irritations, and wounds. See the FAQs on wound healing and skin/mucosal irritations for further details on these studies.

    References

    1. ^Jenabi E, Fereidoony BEffect of Achillea Millefolium on Relief of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol.(2015-Oct)
    2. ^Demirel MA, Suntar I, Ilhan M, Keles H, Kupeli Akkol EExperimental endometriosis remission in rats treated with Achillea biebersteinii Afan.: histopathological evaluation and determination of cytokine levels.Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol.(2014-Apr)
    3. ^Bina F, Daglia M, Santarcangelo C, Baeeri M, Abdollahi M, Nabavi SM, Tabarrai M, Rahimi RPhytochemical profiling and ameliorative effects of Achillea cretica L. on rat model of endometriosis.J Ethnopharmacol.(2020-May-23)