Ingredient
Achillea Millefolium Oil
Achillea Millefolium Oil is flagged for pregnancy, breastfeeding, trying to conceive, PCOS and general use. The concern behind the strongest flag is hormone disruptor and absorbed into the body.
- Yarrow Oil
- Yarrow Essential Oil
- Milfoil Oil
Verdict by profile
Truva checks every ingredient against six profiles. Jump to any of them for the full assessment.
- Strongest verdict
- Not Recommended
- Its verdict for pregnancy, the profile this one is worst in
- Profiles flagged
- 5 of 6
- Counting avoid, high risk and medium risk
- Irritancy
- 2 of 5
- Higher means more likely to sting or redden
Achillea Millefolium Oil and pregnancy
Not Recommended
- Hormone disruptor
- Absorbed into the body
Achillea Millefolium Oil (yarrow oil) is an essential oil derived from the yarrow plant. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts containing numerous bioactive compounds that can be absorbed through the skin. Yarrow has a traditional use in herbal medicine for menstrual regulation and has been historically used to stimulate uterine contractions, raising concerns about its safety during pregnancy. The oil contains thujone, a compound that in significant amounts can have neurotoxic and potentially uterotoxic effects. While topical application results in lower exposure than oral consumption, essential oils can be absorbed systemically through the skin. Most aromatherapists and herbalists recommend avoiding yarrow during pregnancy due to its traditional use as an emmenagogue (menstruation-promoting agent). While major regulatory bodies like ACOG have not issued specific guidance on topical yarrow oil, the general medical consensus among aromatherapy practitioners and many obstetricians is to avoid essential oils with emmenagogue properties during pregnancy. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy lists yarrow as contraindicated during pregnancy. Given the theoretical uterine stimulation risk and limited safety data, most practitioners recommend choosing alternative soothing ingredients during pregnancy.
Achillea Millefolium Oil and breastfeeding
Caution Advised
- Passes into breast milk
- Common allergen
Yarrow oil is a concentrated essential oil containing multiple bioactive compounds. As with most essential oils, these compounds are lipophilic (fat-soluble) and can potentially transfer into breast milk following topical absorption. There are no specific studies on yarrow oil transfer to breast milk, but the fat-soluble nature of essential oil components means some transfer is theoretically possible. The compounds in yarrow oil could potentially cause allergic reactions or sensitization in breastfed infants. Additionally, strong fragrances near the breast area might affect feeding behavior in some babies. Most lactation consultants and aromatherapy organizations recommend caution with essential oils during breastfeeding, particularly when applied to areas near the breast or in high concentrations. If using products containing yarrow oil, it's advisable to avoid application near the breast area and ensure thorough hand washing before handling the infant.
Achillea Millefolium Oil and postpartum
Safe to Use
- Common allergen
- Irritant
For postpartum women who are not breastfeeding, yarrow oil can be used with standard precautions for essential oils. It may provide anti-inflammatory and soothing benefits for skin recovery, though patch testing is recommended due to potential sensitization. The main concerns are typical essential oil risks: potential allergic reactions and skin irritation. The hormonal concerns relevant to pregnancy are not applicable postpartum. As with any essential oil, use in properly diluted formulations and discontinue if irritation occurs.
Achillea Millefolium Oil and trying to conceive
Caution Advised
- Hormone disruptor
- Fertility effects
Yarrow has traditional uses in herbal medicine for menstrual regulation and has historically been used as an emmenagogue. These traditional uses suggest potential effects on uterine tissue and the menstrual cycle, which could theoretically interfere with implantation or early pregnancy. While topical application results in much lower systemic exposure than oral consumption, women trying to conceive are often advised to treat their bodies as if pregnancy has already occurred. Most fertility specialists recommend discontinuing essential oils with emmenagogue properties when actively trying to conceive, as the risk-benefit analysis doesn't favor their use when safer alternatives exist.
Achillea Millefolium Oil and PCOS
Caution Advised
- Interferes with hormones
- Common allergen
Achillea Millefolium Oil contains phytoestrogens and other compounds that may have mild hormonal activity. While traditionally used for menstrual regulation, the hormonal effects of topical application are not well-studied. For women with PCOS who are already managing hormonal imbalances, introducing ingredients with potential estrogenic or progestogenic activity is not ideal, even though topical absorption is limited. The anti-inflammatory properties might be beneficial for PCOS-related skin inflammation, but the hormonal uncertainty outweighs this potential benefit. Given that PCOS involves complex hormonal dysregulation, many endocrinologists and dermatologists recommend avoiding herbal ingredients with known traditional hormonal uses when safer alternatives exist. Women with PCOS who wish to use products containing yarrow oil should discuss with their healthcare provider, particularly if they are on hormonal treatments.
Achillea Millefolium Oil and general use
Caution Advised
- Common allergen
- Irritant
Achillea Millefolium Oil is an essential oil with traditional uses for wound healing and inflammation reduction. In cosmetic products, it provides soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits along with a characteristic herbal fragrance. The primary concerns for the general population are allergic reactions and skin sensitization, which are common with essential oils due to their complex chemical composition. Essential oils contain multiple allergenic compounds, and repeated exposure can lead to sensitization even in individuals who initially tolerate them well. The concentration in the product matters significantly—higher concentrations increase both benefit and risk. The EU Cosmetics Regulation requires that known allergenic fragrance components be listed separately when present above certain concentrations. Individuals with sensitive skin or known allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family (which includes yarrow, chamomile, and daisies) should avoid products containing this ingredient or perform patch testing before use.
Everything else flagged for the same profiles
Related ingredients
Ingredients suggested in place of Achillea Millefolium Oil, each one with its own page here.
Ingredients that raise the same concerns.
Where this came from
Truva summarises published guidance from bodies including ACOG, the FDA, the EU SCCS and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. It has no access to your medical history and it is not a substitute for your doctor, dermatologist or midwife. These assessments have not been reviewed by a clinician, and nothing here is a diagnosis or a prescription. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or being treated for PCOS, take the ingredient list to the person looking after you.
Assessment last pulled from the ingredient database on .
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