Pharmacological Potential of Achillea millefolium: A Review of Its Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic, and Antimicrobial Properties

Achillea millefolium, a perennial herb, is commonly found in Europe and Asia, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a member of the Asteraceae family, the Achillea genus, and the kingdom Plantae. Due to its wide range of pharmacological characteristics, A. millefolium attracts significant scientific research. It has long been used in medicinal systems to treat digestive problems, wound healing, and pain relief. Both in vivo and in vitro investigations highlight Achillea millefolium’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic, and antimicrobial qualities. This review integrates traditional ethnobotanical knowledge with current pharmacological research. The pharmacological and toxicological research included in the reviewed literature was chosen from current scientific literature to strengthen the safety and effectiveness of the plant. Additionally, an in-depth understanding of its therapeutic potential is provided through an examination of its historical use in European, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian medicine systems. The desire for herbal alternatives has grown rapidly due to growing concerns about the side effects of allopathic medicines. The general public is increasingly using A. millefolium because of its broad-spectrum efficacy and desirable safety profile, which have shown significant herbal lead compounds for medical treatment. A. millefolium multitarget pharmacological activity is associated with a range of bioactive substances, including terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic acids, according to phytochemical studies. The information acquired in this study provides credibility to its potential as an herbal treatment for oxidative stress, inflammation, microbial infections, and spasms.