Due to its styptic and antimicrobial properties, it is famously known for its ability to stop bleeding (when applied directly to a wound), prevent infection, and aid blood circulation when taken internally.
Women who are pregnant should not consume yarrow internally because it can cause bleeding. Consult a clinical herbalist or medical professional before ingesting. Yarrow is a member of the Asteraceae (daisy) family so those with allergies to aster flowers should avoid ingesting and may also experience an allergic reaction to a topical application.
It is often used as a poultice, wash, soak, or salve to relieve pain, and help to heal wounds and injuries of various types.
It can be beneficial in alleviating digestive complaints and symptoms of colds and flu, and is also used to treat hemorrhoids, ease menstrual discomfort and postpartum bleeding, and reduce inflammation in the gums.
The next time you have a toothache, try chewing on a yarrow leaf. Its analgesic properties can help to numb the affected area.
Making Yarrow Herbal Remedies at Home
Harvest flower clusters when plants are in full bloom, cutting the top third of the plant just above a leaf node.
Leaves and flowers can be steeped in boiling water to make tea, and are best used fresh when applied as poultices for treating minor wounds.
You can dry foliage and flowers using a dehydrator, spread or hang them to air dry, or place them in the oven on the “warm” setting. Once they are thoroughly dried, it is easy to strip the leaves and flowers off the stems.
Both the dried leaves and the flowers can be consumed internally as a tea, preserved in tinctures, or infused into oils to make salves and creams.
Yarrow tea has a sweet and mildly bitter, aromatic flavor. It makes a wonderful addition to the herbal medicine cabinet to alleviate mild symptoms of colds and flu, as well as minor digestive complaints.
Infused Oil
Making an infused oil with yarrow is easy, and this serves as a useful treatment for wounds, inflamed muscles, and bruises. Its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties may help to reduce varicose vein swelling in some cases.
Just grind up some dried leaves and flowers, place them in a glass jar, and cover with a carrier oil in a 1:4 ratio, with one part dried plant matter and four parts oil.
I recommend using cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil as it is affordable and easy to find, but you can use any kind of high-quality neutral carrier oil that you prefer.
Seal the jar tightly with a lid and set it in a dark place for a few weeks, shaking daily to agitate the mixture.
You can also choose to leave the jar in the sun to heat infuse for the first few days. Be sure to move it to a cool, dark location for the remainder of the infusing time.
After 4-6 weeks, strain the oil and use it as is, or try melting in some beeswax and essential oils to make an herbal salve. This can be stored in tins or jars in a cool, dark place.
Tincture
You can also make a tincture from the dried leaves and flowers. As described above, grind them up, place them in a glass jar, and cover with 80 proof (or higher) alcohol.
Leave it to infuse for 6-8 weeks in a cool, dark place.
Strain, and place in a labeled dropper bottle. The tincture can be used as a mosquito repellent when applied to the skin, but always make sure you test it on a small area first, especially if you have sensitive skin.
First Aid Yarrow Salve:A natural remedy for stings, rashes, minor cuts, burns, and abrasions
Infusion Time: 48 hours or 4-6 weeks
Herbal Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Makes about 12 oz.
*The quantity this recipe produces makes it a great product to keep in a jar for home first aid kits, and/or to give to friends and family. Use within 6-8 months.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 to 2 cups fresh yarrow leaves and white flowers
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups jojoba oil (or any other neutral oil)
1 ounce beeswax (the more wax the more firm the salve)
Double boiler (or saucepan and heatproof bowl)
Salve tins (or small resealable jars)
FOLK INFUSION METHOD
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Gather yarrow from a clean area that hasn’t been sprayed with chemicals. Double-check that you have identified the yarrow properly before beginning this project.
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Roughly chop the yarrow, filling a pint mason jar almost to the top with leaves.
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Pour oil (jojoba, grape seed, or olive oil) over the yarrow leaves, then cover with the lid.
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Place the jar in a sunny window for 4-6 weeks. Every few days shake up the jar. If you are using the rapid infusion method, then skip this step and instead follow the set of instructions listed below before resuming with step 5 here.
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When the oil is completely infused, strain out the yarrow leaves. It should be a bright or deep green color.
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Pour the infused yarrow oil into a heatproof bowl, place the bowl over a pot of gently simmering water, creating a double boiler.
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Stir in the beeswax and let it slowly melt into the oil. Test the firmness of the salve by spooning out a small amount then placing the metal spoon in the freezer for 30 seconds. Then, take out the spoon and touch the salve. If you want it more firm, add more beeswax. Keep doing this until you reach your desired consistency.
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Remove from heat once the beeswax is completely incorporated.
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Carefully pour the oil and beeswax combination into the salve tins or a wide mouth jar. If you’d like to add 1-2 drops of essential oil into each tin, now is the time. It’s an optional step that can add fragrance.
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Cover the tins with their lids and let the salve set completely before using; around 30-45 minutes.
Rapid Infusion Method
This method allows an infusion to occur within 1-2 days as opposed to 6 weeks. This is a great option if you have the equipment and you’re short on time. Between step 3 and step 5 listed above, follow these instructions:
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Fill a saucepan or slow cooker with 1 inch of water. Carefully place the yarrow-and oil-filled jar on a trivet in a double boiler or in the slow cooker.
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Slowly heat the water until it reaches 110 to 120 degrees. Turn off the heat.
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Keep the contents of the jar incubating in the warm water. Bring the water back up to temperature periodically over the next 24 to 48 hours, never leaving the heat on for any prolonged amount of time and never allowing the water line to evaporate to less than 1/2-1 inch.
A Note of Caution:
This plant is generally recognized as safe for use, though in rare cases yarrow may cause an allergic reaction. It should not be used if you are sensitive to plants in the aster (Asteraceae) family. It should also be used with caution during pregnancy or if you are taking any prescription medication. Always remember to consult your doctor or healthcare practitioner before using any herbal remedy.
According to the ASPCA, yarrow is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
Some gardeners also use yarrow instead of comfrey to make a tea fertilizer to apply as a soil conditioner. Because it is drought tolerant and can grow in poor, dry soils, it is also useful for combating erosion.