Fern-leaf yarrow
StarAchillea filipendulina
Synonyms: Achillea filicifolia, Achillea eupatorium, Tanacetum angulatum
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Achillea filipendulina, commonly known as fernleaf yarrow or milfoil, is a robust aromatic perennial herb of the family Asteraceae, native to the Caucasus, eastern Anatolia, Iran and Central Asia, and widely cultivated as a garden ornamental and cut-flower throughout the temperate world. It forms an erect, leafy clump 60–150 cm tall arising from a stout rhizome, with stiff, finely pubescent, unbranched stems. The leaves are alternate, fern-like, 10–25 cm long, oblong-lanceolate in outline and 2- to 3-pinnatisect into many fine, linear-lobed segments, grey-green and softly hairy with a strong aromatic scent when crushed. The inflorescence is a dense, flat-topped compound corymb 8–15 cm across, often more than 100 small heads packed tightly together; each head is 4–5 mm across, with 5–6 short, golden-yellow ray florets surrounding a small disc of yellow tubular florets. The involucral bracts are imbricate and finely pubescent. The fruit is a small flattened achene without a pappus. Flowering occurs from early to late summer.
Active Constituents
Santolina alcohol
Irregular (santolinyl) monoterpene alcoholConcentration: Dominant essential-oil component, ~37–46% in several samples
The single most abundant essential-oil constituent of A. filipendulina in most reports, giving the oil its characteristic profile; contributes to its antimicrobial activity.
1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol)
Oxygenated monoterpeneConcentration: ~8–11% of the essential oil
Aromatic oxide with expectorant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties; a major secondary volatile of the leaf and flower oil.
Borneol / isoborneol
Bicyclic monoterpene alcoholConcentration: ~5–13% of the essential oil
Camphoraceous monoterpene alcohols contributing to the aroma and to mild analgesic/antimicrobial activity.
Camphor
Bicyclic monoterpene ketoneConcentration: ~4% of the essential oil (higher in some collections)
Counter-irritant, aromatic ketone; contributes to the oil's antimicrobial and rubefacient character. Camphor is toxic if ingested in quantity.
Ascaridole / trans-isoascaridole
Monoterpene peroxideConcentration: Major constituents of the flower oil
Peroxidic monoterpenes prominent in the flower oil; biologically active but potentially toxic and sensitising, so the oil should not be taken internally without expert control.
Germacrene D
Sesquiterpene hydrocarbonConcentration: ~6% of the essential oil
Common sesquiterpene contributing to aroma and to insect-related bioactivity.
Chlorogenic acid and other caffeoylquinic acids
Hydroxycinnamic acid estersConcentration: Major phenolics of the ethanolic extract
Phenolic acids driving much of the antioxidant and enzyme-inhibitory (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, cholinesterase, tyrosinase) activity of the polar extracts.
Apigenin and luteolin (and their glycosides)
FlavonesConcentration: Characteristic flavonoids of the extract
Apigenin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glycoside contribute anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity typical of the genus.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Anticoagulant / antiplatelet agents
Yarrows (genus Achillea) contain coumarins and flavonoids that may theoretically add to the effect of warfarin or antiplatelet drugs.
Clinical note: Theoretical only for this species; use caution in patients on anticoagulants and around surgery.
Antidiabetic agents
Extracts inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase in vitro, so concurrent use with hypoglycaemic drugs could theoretically enhance glucose lowering.
Clinical note: Monitor blood glucose if used alongside antidiabetic medication.
Preparation Methods
Infusion (aerial parts)
Parts: flowering tops, leaf
Traditional Caucasian/Central-Asian folk use as a mild digestive and antimicrobial tea: infuse 1–2 g dried flowering herb in hot water 10 minutes. This species is grown mainly as an ornamental cut-flower; documented use is largely regional folk medicine rather than established clinical practice.
Essential oil (external use)
Parts: flowering aerial parts
Steam-distilled oil is used externally, well diluted, for its antimicrobial activity. The oil is rich in ascaridole and camphor, which are toxic and sensitising; it should not be taken internally and should be avoided in pregnancy and in children.
Clinical Studies
Achillea filipendulina Lam.: Chemical Constituents and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oil of Stem, Leaf, and Flower
GC-MS analysis of stem, leaf and flower oils showed distinct profiles (santolina alcohol, neryl acetate, carvacrol and caryophyllene oxide in stem; 1,8-cineole, camphor and ascaridole in leaf; ascaridole and 1,8-cineole in flower). Oils showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by disc-diffusion, MIC and MBC.
In-depth study of phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, enzyme inhibitory and antiproliferative properties of Achillea filipendulina: a good candidate for designing biologically-active food products
Ethanolic flower and leaf extracts were rich in phenolics, flavonoids, tannins and saponins and showed moderate-to-high antioxidant and enzyme-inhibitory (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, cholinesterase, tyrosinase) activity. The flower extract had the greatest antiproliferative effect on MCF-7 and Hep-G2 cells, whereas the essential oil was comparatively inactive.
Historical Texts
Caucasian and Central Asian folk medicine
Traditional / pre-modernReferences
- Aminkhani A, Sharifi S, Ekhtiyari S. Achillea filipendulina Lam.: Chemical Constituents and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oil of Stem, Leaf, and Flower . Chemistry & Biodiversity (2020) [DOI]
- Asghari B, et al.. In-depth study of phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, enzyme inhibitory and antiproliferative properties of Achillea filipendulina . Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization (2020) [DOI]
- Strzępek-Gomółka M, Głowniak-Lipa A, Kukula-Koch W, et al.. Achillea Species as Sources of Active Phytochemicals for Dermatological and Cosmetic Applications . Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity (2021) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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