Achillea asiatica

The blue chamazulene generated from proazulene guaianolides during distillation is associated with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity and is the hallmark of proazulene-containing members of the yarrow (A. millefolium) group to which A. asiatica belongs.

Contributes to the aromatic character of the oil and is associated with mild antimicrobial, expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Provides a penetrating, camphoraceous odour; used traditionally as a topical rubefacient and mild analgesic. Neurotoxic in large internal doses.

Contributes camphoraceous-woody notes and is associated with mild anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity.

Underlie much of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of the extract; luteolin and apigenin derivatives are the characteristic flavones of the genus.

C-glycosylflavones contributing to antioxidant capacity and to the chemotaxonomic profile of the species.

A common antioxidant flavonol associated with capillary-protective and free-radical-scavenging effects.

Strong radical scavengers that contribute to the total antioxidant activity of aerial-part extracts.

Traditionally the dried flowering herb is infused in hot water and taken for digestive complaints, colds and as a mild bitter tonic, mirroring the use of common yarrow (A. millefolium). Prolonged internal use is discouraged; as with other proazulene yarrows it may cause allergic (Asteraceae) skin reactions and photosensitivity in susceptible individuals, and it is generally avoided in pregnancy.

A strong infusion or crushed fresh herb is applied externally as a traditional wound wash and haemostatic, consistent with the folk reputation of yarrows for minor bleeding and inflamed skin.

Asian yarrow (A. asiatica) has been used across Siberia, Mongolia and Central Asia much like common yarrow — as a wound herb, haemostatic and bitter digestive remedy for the aerial flowering parts.

The yarrow lineage (Achillea, named for Achilles) is recorded in Greco-Roman and later European herbals as a vulnerary and styptic; A. asiatica is the East-Eurasian vicariant of this same aggregate and shares the traditional indications.