Yarrow is a popular medicinal herb used in alternative medicine. Processed as yarrow tea, the plant is said to be particularly effective in menstrual cramps. FITBOOK reveals what tea can do and how to prepare it properly.
Yarrow (Achilla millefolium) has been used for thousands of years – especially when processed as a tea – for a variety of ailments because of its potentially health-promoting properties. The soothing effect of yarrow tea is due to the high proportion of healthy active ingredients contained in the herb.
What ailments should yarrow tea help with?
Especially in the case of menstrual cramps and stomach, intestinal and bile disorders, yarrow tea is said to relieve pain in the abdomen and in the stomach and intestinal area due to its antispasmodic effect. In addition, it is said to promote wound healing, counteract inflammation and stimulate blood circulation, thereby having an invigorating and calming effect on the body.
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What active ingredients are in the tea?
Yarrow contains a high content of bitter substances, which stimulate the release of digestive juices and blood circulation. This promotes appetite and, in addition to digestive activity, also bile activity. Digestive problems are alleviated by the substances and certain flavonoids and alkaloids. In addition, the essential oils, tannins and flavonoids contained in the herb have an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antibacterial effect.1,2
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Is the effect of yarrow tea scientifically proven?
Although there are not enough studies on humans to be able to assume that yarrow tea actually has a health-promoting effect, the existing research situation gives isolated indications of a potentially beneficial effect of the medicinal herb. A study with rats came to the conclusion that yarrow extract protects against damage caused by stomach acid and the development of ulcers. Another animal study found that the flavonoid antioxidants in yarrow may reduce inflammation, digestive spasms, and other symptoms of IBS.3,4
The flavonoids and alkaloids in yarrow have also been linked to alleviate depression and anxiety. One study found that rats given orally yarrow reduced anxiety and increased daily mental and physical activity. Of course, these results don’t necessarily translate to humans.5,6
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Are there possible risks and side effects?
The consumption of sleep trench tea is generally considered safe and is also well tolerated by most people. Only pregnant and breastfeeding women are better off avoiding the tea, as it increases the risk of miscarriage and hormonal imbalance. Even those who use hormonal contraception should only consume the tea with caution, if at all, and speak to a specialist beforehand to find out to what extent it is safe to consume.
How do you prepare yarrow tea?
Yarrow tea can be found in well-stocked supermarkets, drugstores, pharmacies or in specialty tea shops. For one cup, one to two teaspoons of yarrow herb are infused with 150 milliliters of boiling water, left to stand for ten to fifteen minutes and then strained. The tea can be consumed up to four cups a day.
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How does yarrow tea taste?
The taste of yarrow tea is tart, bitter and reminiscent of nutmeg. Not everyone likes this, but it can be refined with honey or something else so that the taste of the yarrow is not too dominant.
Sources
- 1. Moradi, M.-T., Rafieian-Koupaei, M., Imani-Rastabi, R., Nasiri, J. et al. (2013). Antispasmodic Effects of Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium L.) Extract in the Isolated Ileum of Rat. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines.
- 2. Kozlowska, A., Szostak-Wegierek, D. (2014). Flavonoids-food sources and health benefits. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig in English.
- 3. Cavalcanti, AM, Baggio, CH, Freitas, CS et al. (2006). Safety and antiulcer efficacy studies of Achillea millefolium L. after chronic treatment in Wistar rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
- 4. Lemmens-Gruber, R., Marchart, E., Rawnduzi, P. et al. (2006). Investigation of the spasmolytic activity of the flavonoid fraction of Achillea millefolium sl on isolated guinea-pig ilea. Drug Research.
- 5. Perviz S, Khan H & Pervaiz A (2016). Plant Alkaloids as an Emerging Therapeutic Alternative for the Treatment of Depression. Frontiers in Pharmacology.
- 6. Majnooni, MB, Mohammadi-Farani, A, Nikbakht, MR et al. (2013). Chemical composition and anxiolytic evaluation of Achillea Wilhelmsii C. Koch essential oil in rat. Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences.