Achillea millefolium Linn. Synonym A. lan ulosa Nutt.
Family Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat The western Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon.
English Milfoil, Yarrow, Thousand Leaf.
Unani Biranjaasif. National Form ulary of Unani Medicine also equates Leon urus cardica
Linn. (Labiatae) with Biranjaasif.
Folk Gandana, Rojmari.
Action Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic (used in cold, flatulent colic, heartburn), emmenagogue, cicatrizant, antidysenteric, antihaemorrhagic, antipyretic, diaphoretic, diuretic, urinary antiseptic.
Key application In dyspeptic ailments, such as mild, spastic discomforts of the gastrointestinal tract. As astringent, antispasmodic, choleretic, antibacterial. (German Commission E.) As diaphoretic. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) Internally for feverish conditions, common cold and digestive complaints; topically for slow-healing wounds and skin inflammations. (The British Herbal Compendium.)
The plant contains flavonoids, al kaloids (achffleine), polyacetylenes, triterpenes, coumarins, tannins, salicylic acid, a volatile oil containing linalool, camphor, sabinene, chamazulene and other azulenes.
Sesquiterpene lactones are bitter and tonic. Achffleine helps arrest internal and external bleeding. Flavonoids contribute to the antispasmodic action.
The flavonoid apigenin is anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet and spasmolytic. Alkaloids and bases are antiinflammatory. Alkaloid betoncine is haemostatic. Salicylic acid is antiinflammatory. Chamazulene is anti- inflammatory and antiallergenic. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)
An extract of the plant was found to be rich in luteolin or luteolin 7- glucoside and can be used for the treatment of hyperpigmentation of skin.
