Yarrow
Achillea millefolium L.
Achillea millefolium (common yarrow) is a perennial aster-family herb 20–100 cm tall; its finely divided feathery leaves and small white or pink flower heads in flat-topped clusters make it a valued medicinal herb and garden plant.
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Yarrow — seedlingYarrow — flowers
Yarrow — white flowers
Yarrow — leaves
Yarrow — divided leaf
Yarrow — seedlingYarrow — seedlingYarrow — flowersOverview
Achillea millefolium is a **perennial** herb of the aster family (Asteraceae), genus Achillea, 20–100 cm tall with an erect, hairy stem, often growing in clumps. Its **leaves are alternate**, narrow and lance-shaped, **divided two to three times into very fine segments** (the name *millefolium* means 'thousand leaves'), giving a feathery look and a **spicy aroma** when crushed. The small **flower heads**, 3–10 mm across, have white, pink or pale purple **ray florets** around a yellowish **disc of tubular florets**, gathered into **flat-topped clusters** at the stem tips. The **fruit is a small achene**. The species is native to **Europe and western Asia** and has spread widely across the northern temperate zone.
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/13/2026
In Vietnam, yarrow is uncommon in the wild but is grown as a **medicinal and ornamental plant** in gardens. It prefers **full sun** and loose, well-drained soil and is quite **drought-tolerant**. In traditional medicine it has a pungent, bitter, slightly warm character and is used to **stop bleeding and reduce inflammation**, and to treat colds, fever and digestive complaints; young leaves are sometimes used as a herb. It has not been assessed by the IUCN and is therefore listed as Not Evaluated (NE).
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/13/2026
Life cycle
From seed to productSeed & seedling
Small **seeds** germinate on moist soil; **seedlings** grow in clumps with already divided young leaves.
Growth & leaves
The plant forms a clump of many **finely divided leaves** arranged alternately, releasing an **aroma** when crushed.
Flowering
In summer, countless **small flower heads** in white or pink form flat-topped clusters at the tips, attracting bees and butterflies.
Mass flowering & seed
Flowers open en masse in white-pink drifts; small **achenes** then form and the seed is wind-dispersed to germinate next season.
Distribution & origin
Share of recorded occurrences by region- Europe & W. Asia (native)30%
- North America (introduced)30%
- N. & East Asia (cultivated)20%
- Oceania (introduced)10%
- Elsewhere (cultivated)10%
Chemical composition
Relative content in agarwood resin- Essential oil (chamazulene)Aromatic and anti-inflammatory25%
- Sesquiterpene lactonesMain bioactive compounds of yarrow20%
- FlavonoidsAntioxidant and anti-inflammatory20%
- Alkaloids (achilleine)Contributes to its styptic action15%
- TanninsAstringent taste, aids clotting10%
- MineralsPotassium, calcium and magnesium10%
Uses
- Medicine: yarrow is used to **stop bleeding and reduce inflammation** and to treat colds, fever and digestive complaints in traditional medicine.
- Tea & drinks: dried flowers and leaves are brewed as **yarrow tea** for mild calming and digestion.
- Skincare: a yarrow decoction is used to wash wounds, soothe skin and reduce inflammation.
- Landscaping: grown in borders and meadows and as a **pollinator plant** for its long-lasting flowers.
- Culture & food: young leaves are edible and have been used as a herb in salads and drinks in Europe.
Properties
- Morphology
- Hairy stem; **finely divided leaves**; **small flowers in flat clusters**
- Aroma & taste
- Aromatic, pungent and slightly bitter taste
- Ecology
- Drought- and cold-tolerant; attracts bees and butterflies
- Medicinal
- One of Europe's oldest medicinal herbs
Habitat & conservation
Yarrow prefers **full sun**, a temperate climate and loose, well-drained soil; it is fairly **drought- and cold-tolerant** and often grows wild in grasslands, waste ground, roadsides and on mountain slopes. Native to Europe and western Asia, it is now cultivated and widespread in many temperate regions worldwide.
Conservation
Yarrow is not threatened; it is a widespread medicinal and ornamental herb, sometimes regarded as a weed. It has not been assessed by the IUCN and is therefore listed as Not Evaluated (NE). Family Asteraceae, genus Achillea. Value: medicine, tea, landscaping and nectar for insects.
References
- 1POWO — Achillea millefolium L. — Plants of the World Online (Kew), 2026
- 2GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Achillea millefolium L. (key 3120060) — GBIF, 2026
- 3Wikipedia EN — Achillea millefolium — Wikipedia EN, 2026
- 4Wikipedia VI — Cỏ thi — Wikipedia VI, 2026
- 5Wikipedia ZH — 蓍草 (洋蓍草) — Wikipedia ZH, 2026
- 6Ảnh: Achillea millefolium (hoa) — Wikimedia Commons — Wikimedia Commons, 2026
- 7Ảnh: Achillea millefolium (leaf), (leaf s2), kz01, kz02 — Wikimedia Commons — Wikimedia Commons, 2026