Yarrow Oil
Also known as: Yarrow, Common Yarrow, Milfoil, Yarrow Oil, Achillea millefolium
Overview
Achillea millefolium, commonly known as yarrow, is a perennial herb native to temperate regions, historically valued for its medicinal properties. Yarrow oil is an essential oil extracted from the plant, rich in bioactive compounds such as sesquiterpenes (e.g., bisabolol), borneol, grandisol, and caryophyllene oxide. This supplement is primarily utilized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and potential anticancer effects. It also shows promise in gynecological applications, particularly for alleviating dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain). Research on yarrow oil is ongoing, with a moderate level of maturity, encompassing in vitro, animal, and some human clinical trials. While clinical evidence supports its use for menstrual pain, high-quality randomized controlled trials specifically on yarrow oil for other indications are still limited, and the quality of evidence varies across different applications. It is available as an herbal supplement, often in essential oil or phenolic extract forms.
Benefits
Yarrow oil and its extracts offer several evidence-based benefits. It exhibits significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, with specific oil fractions showing higher anti-inflammatory effects than whole extracts in laboratory settings. This is attributed to its ability to inhibit key lipid metabolic enzymes and modulate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers, which are relevant in inflammatory processes and cancer progression. Preclinical studies suggest potential anticancer effects, as yarrow oil fraction has been shown to inhibit lipid metabolism and markers related to colorectal cancer cell dissemination in vitro, positioning it as a potential complementary nutraceutical. For menstrual pain relief, a double-blind randomized controlled trial involving *A. millefolium* preparations demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the severity of primary dysmenorrhea and menstrual bleeding compared to placebo. Furthermore, yarrow essential oils have shown immunomodulatory effects in animal studies, decreasing humoral immune response, likely due to their sesquiterpene content. While benefits for dysmenorrhea have moderate clinical significance, anticancer and immunomodulatory effects are primarily preclinical and require further human validation.
How it works
The therapeutic actions of yarrow oil are primarily mediated by its rich array of bioactive compounds, including sesquiterpenes, borneol, and phenolic compounds. Its anti-inflammatory effects are attributed to the inhibition of key lipid metabolic enzymes such as SREBF1, FASN, ABCA1, and HMGCR, which play crucial roles in cellular metabolism and inflammation. Additionally, yarrow oil modulates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers like CDH1, CDH2, and Vimentin, particularly in cancer cells, suggesting a role in inhibiting cell dissemination. The antioxidant activity is linked to phenolic compounds, such as 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-DCQA), which scavenge free radicals. Sesquiterpenes, including bisabolol and proazulene, contribute to its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. While specific absorption and bioavailability data for yarrow oil are limited, research is exploring nanoencapsulation strategies to enhance its topical delivery and systemic absorption.
Side effects
Yarrow oil is generally well-tolerated, with clinical trials and animal studies reporting no serious adverse effects. However, some individuals may experience mild side effects, particularly with oral preparations. These can include gastrointestinal intolerance, gastric irritation, headache, insomnia, and drowsiness. Rare instances of allergic reactions, such as contact dermatitis, have been reported, especially in individuals sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family. A significant consideration is the potential for herb-drug interactions, as yarrow may influence cytochrome P450 enzymes, which are involved in the metabolism of many medications. This is particularly concerning for drugs with narrow therapeutic indices. Contraindications include a known allergy to plants in the Asteraceae family (e.g., ragweed, daisies, marigolds). Due to limited safety data, caution is advised for special populations such as pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, and its use in these groups should be under medical supervision.
Dosage
While specific dosing guidelines for yarrow essential oil are less defined, clinical trials for primary dysmenorrhea have utilized preparations containing 4 grams of dried *A. millefolium* flower powder daily. This dosage was typically administered as tea bags for the first three days of menstruation. For menstrual pain relief, the timing of dosage coincides with the onset of menstruation. There is currently no established maximum safe dose for yarrow oil; however, traditional use and existing clinical trials suggest that moderate doses are generally safe. Essential oil formulations, particularly for topical application, are under investigation, with research exploring nanoencapsulation to improve absorption and efficacy. Due to the variability in essential oil concentration and purity, it is crucial to follow product-specific instructions or consult with a healthcare professional for appropriate dosing, especially given the potential for herb-drug interactions.
FAQs
Is yarrow oil safe for daily use?
Generally, yarrow oil is considered safe for daily use, but mild gastrointestinal and central nervous system side effects may occur. It should be avoided if you have a known allergy to the Asteraceae plant family.
Can yarrow oil be used for cancer treatment?
Preclinical evidence suggests yarrow oil has potential anticancer properties by inhibiting lipid metabolism in cancer cells. However, human clinical trials are currently lacking, and it should not replace conventional cancer treatments.
How soon does yarrow relieve menstrual pain?
Benefits for menstrual pain relief, such as reduced severity and bleeding, have been observed within the first menstrual cycle of consistent use in clinical studies.
Are there drug interactions with yarrow oil?
Yes, yarrow oil may interact with drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes. Consult a healthcare professional, especially if taking medications with narrow therapeutic indices.
Is topical application of yarrow oil effective?
Emerging research supports the potential for effective topical delivery of yarrow oil, particularly through nanoencapsulation. However, more clinical data are needed to confirm its efficacy for various topical applications.
Research Sources
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1256190/full – This in vitro study utilized supercritical fluid extraction to isolate a yarrow oil fraction (yarrow Sep) rich in essential oils. It demonstrated significant inhibition of lipid metabolism enzymes and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in colorectal cancer cells, suggesting anti-inflammatory and anticancer potential. The study highlights the promise of yarrow oil but notes the need for clinical validation.
- https://jmrh.mums.ac.ir/article_23443_b5665a66ab258d656885add2746f6852.pdf – This systematic review, including a double-blind randomized controlled trial (n=96), investigated *A. millefolium* tea bags for primary dysmenorrhea. It found a significant reduction in pain severity and menstrual bleeding compared to placebo, with a low risk of bias and mild, infrequent side effects. The research supports the use of yarrow preparations for menstrual pain.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10703637/ – This comprehensive review summarizes the pharmacological properties, safety, and pharmacokinetics of *A. millefolium*, including its essential oils. It concludes that yarrow has a good safety profile, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and shows potential for topical delivery via nanoencapsulation. The review emphasizes the need for further clinical trials on specific yarrow extracts like the essential oil.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3232110/ – This review, based on animal studies, demonstrated the immunomodulatory effects of yarrow essential oils, particularly sesquiterpenes like bisabolol. It suggests mechanisms for the anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties of yarrow. The study provides foundational insights into yarrow's biological activities, though human data are limited.
