Achillea millefolium Linn.
Synonym _ A. lanulosa Nutt.
Family _ Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat _ The western Himalayas
from Kashmir to Kumaon.
English _ Milfoil, Yarrow, Thousand
Leaf.
Unani _ Biranjaasif. National
Formulary of Unani Medicine
also equates Leonurus 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, alkaloids
(achilleine), polyacetylenes,
triterpenes, coumarins, tannins, salicylic
acid, a volatile oil containing
linalool, camphor, sabinene, chamazulene
and other azulenes.
Sesquiterpene lactones are bitter and
tonic. Achilleine 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 antiinflammatory
and antiallergenic.
An extract of the plant was found
to be rich in luteolin or luteolin glucoside and can be used for the treatment of hyperpigmentation of skin.