Yarrow is considered a remedy for digestive and skin issues, bleeding, and inflammation–but how is yarrow essential oil unique and who can use it? Read on to uncover little-known facts about this essential oil: how it’s made, what the science says about its health benefits, and what to look out for when deciding to purchase some. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Yarrow essential oil is made from common yarrow (Achillea millefolium<\/em>), an aromatic plant with tiny, whitish flowers and hairy leaves. It is also known as “nosebleed plant” and belongs to the same family as dandelions<\/a> and marigolds<\/a> (Asteraceae<\/em>) [R<\/a>+, R<\/a>+]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People traditionally use yarrow for various health complaints, such as [R<\/a>+, R<\/a>, R<\/a>+, R<\/a>+, R<\/a>+, R<\/a>+]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Herbalists suggest that yarrow essential oil can be used similar to the more famous tea tree oil. Unlike tea tree oil, yarrow\u2019s scent is sweet and distinctly herbal. What makes it unique is its remarkable blue color, a result of its concentrated plant pigments [R<\/a>]! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yarrow essential oil is mainly composed of terpenoids such as chamazulene, thymol, carvacrol<\/a>, limonene<\/a>, alpha-pinene, camphor, and borneol [R<\/a>, R<\/a>+, R<\/a>+, R<\/a>, R<\/a>]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A recent analysis of yarrow essential oil from France discovered 43 volatile compounds, including germacrene-D and E-nerolidol. The oil had strong antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in test tubes [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n The exact composition of the essential oil can vary depending on where it was grown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, an analysis of yarrow essential oil from Quebec identified over 60 compounds, 40 of which were reported for the first time. A team in India, meanwhile, found 86 components in essential oil from the flowering parts of common yarrow growing in the wild in Kashmir; its main major compounds were also different [R<\/a>, R<\/a>]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s hard to draw any conclusions about the potential health benefits of yarrow essential oil in general. Yarrow grows in many parts of the world, where soil composition and climate are drastically different. Essential oil preparation methods may also differ. Therefore, the characteristics of the essential oil greatly vary from one preparation to another. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Better standardization of its main active compounds and more research should give us additional clues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n No clinical trials on yarrow essential oil have been carried out. Human research is needed to verify its effectiveness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, essential oils are not approved by the FDA for medical use. Regulations set manufacturing standards for essential oils but don\u2019t guarantee that they are safe or effective. Talk to your doctor before using yarrow essential oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oral yarrow<\/strong> is approved by the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia and the German Commission E for fever, common cold, and digestive complaints. Based on FDA and the cosmetic industry data, experts concluded that topical yarrow<\/strong> is also safe at the doses commonly used [R<\/a>+, R<\/a>]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The following purported benefits are only supported by limited, low-quality clinical studies. There is insufficient evidence to support the use of yarrow essential oil for any of the below-listed uses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember to speak with a doctor before taking yarrow essential oil. Essential oils and aromatherapy should never be used as a replacement for approved medical therapies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have you spotted yarrow essential oil <\/strong>in health stores? You\u2019ll rarely see it mentioned among the top herbs or essential oils for skin care. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet, scientists think that yarrow essential oil may also support skin health and potentially soothe irritation, but research so far is inconclusive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a small trial on 23 people with skin irritation, yarrow extract dissolved in olive and sunflower oil applied on the irritated site (2x\/day for 7 days) moisturized the skin, restored its normal pH, and reduced redness [R<\/a>]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, this study used oil made from yarrow extract not<\/em> yarrow essential oil. We don’t know if yarrow essential oil also helps soothe the skin since its active compounds differ from the extract [R<\/a>]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yarrow might also help get rid of dark skin spots or hyperpigmentation<\/strong>. Although harmless, this condition can lead to large dark patches of skin, caused by a progressive buildup of the skin pigment melanin. Yarrow essential oil blocked melanin production in skin cells, suggesting it should be further researched for helping prevent or reduce skin hyperpigmentation [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\nComposition<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Much Do We Know?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Potential Health Benefits of Yarrow Essential Oil<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE:<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1) Soothing Irritated Skin<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n