Yarrow is commonly know to be a superior herb for First Aid but did you know there are many more uses for yarrow?  Today on the blog, we’ll explore several other ways to use yarrow as a herbal home remedy. 

 Be sure to check out Part 1 of our series on yarrow:   How to Use Yarrow as a First Aid Remedy.  

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How to Use Yarrow as a Herbal Home Remedy

 The yarrow is blooming in my garden and it’s time to get picking!   Many of you shared with me last week that you found yarrow growing in lots of places near you and can’t wait to start using it!   Be sure to read my last post if you’re unsure about which yarrow is best for medicinal use.

While the yarrow leaves are used mainly for First Aid,  there are many ways to use the flowers  (or a combination of the leaves and flowers) as a herbal home remedy.   Here are several uses for yarrow flowers:

The flowers of yarrow can be useful for

• colds & flu

• sinusitis

• fevers

• urinary tract infections (UTI’s)

• fibroids

• menstrual cramps

• reducing heavy bleeding during menstruation

• urinary incontinence

• stimulating the liver and aiding in digestion

• stomach flu and nausea

• lowering blood pressure

• varicose veins, spider veins and bruises

When to Harvest Yarrow Flowers

Harvest yarrow (Achillea millefolium) when the flowers are in full bloom.  Yarrow flowers contain a lot of essential oils so it’s best to harvest them in the morning after the dew has dried.

If you have a dehydrator ( I recommend this one,) dry them quickly at 95 degrees F overnight or until dry.  Store them in a glass jar out of direct sunlight.   Replenish your yarrow after about a year.

What to Make with Yarrow

 Bug Repellent

Rub fresh yarrow (leaves and flowers) over your skin or pour some of your homemade yarrow tincture (recipe below) into a spray bottle and use it as a bug spray.   Yarrow works as a fabulous bug repellent!  Reapply every few hours or as needed.

Homemade Digestive Bitters

Yarrow is a bitter herb (something you will surely remember once you taste it! )   Eating bitters such as yarrow prior to meals will help stimulate your appetite and aid in digestion and assimilation of nutrients.   How about making some homemade digestive bitters with yarrow and other bitter herbs?

Yarrow Tincture

Use the fresh or dried flowers and leaf to make a yarrow tincture.

A yarrow tincture (or an infusion) can be beneficial for stomach and menstrual cramps, indigestion or heavy menstruation.   For menstrual pain, Herbalist and M.D. Aviva Romm suggests taking yarrow tonically at a low dose or acutely in higher doses.

Print

Yarrow Tincture

Prep Time30 days d

Active Time10 minutes mins

Keyword: herbalremedy, homeremedy, tincture, yarrow

Equipment

• 1 glass jar with lid
• 1 dark colored bottle with lid for storing extra finished tincture
• 1 1-2 oz dark colored bottle with dropper

Materials

• dried or fresh yarrow flowers
• 80-100 proof vodka or apple cider vinegar

Instructions

• Fill  your jar half way with dried yarrow or 2/3 of the way with chopped fresh yarrow.
• Pour the alcohol or apple cider vinegar over the herbs.  Completely fill the jar and seal with a lid.  Shake well.
• Label and date your jar.
• Store your jar out of direct sunlight for 4-6 weeks.  Shake your jar often, every day if possible.
• After 4-6 weeks, strain off the herbs and discard.  Fill a small tincture bottle (with a dropper) for daily use and pour the remainder in a clean dark colored jar.
• Label and date your bottle and jar.  Store in a cool, dark place where it will keep for several years.

Notes

Apple cider vinegar will cause your metal caps to rust.   If using apple cider vinegar in your tincture,  use either a plastic lid or place a piece of plastic wrap between the jar and the metal lid.

 Infusions

Be sure to dry some yarrow to use in tea over the winter months.

Drink a hot yarrow infusion (tea) for colds, flu and fever.  Yarrow is immune strengthening and will open the pores and promote sweating to reduce a fever.

For urinary tract infections (UTI’s,) try a lukewarm or cold tea where you’ll experience more of it’s diuretic properties.

If yarrow is a little too bitter for you on it’s own, try pairing it with elderberries or rosehips for a tastier cold and flu tea or adding some lilac infused honey.   A pinch of dried peppermint is also a great way to improve the taste of bitter herbs.

Herbalist Robin Rose Bennett recommends steeping your yarrow infusion for 1 hour or longer to get the most benefit.

Poultices, Compresses & Herbal Salve

See the first part of our series on yarrow for recipes for poultices, compresses and a Backyard  Herbal Healing Salve featuring yarrow.

Using Yarrow Safely

It’s best to avoid yarrow during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.  Yarrow can cause an allergic reaction in some people (especially if there is a sensitivity to the Aster family.)

Where to buy

Mountain Rose Herbs

Amazon (dried flowers)

Amazon (seeds)

How will you use yarrow as a herbal home remedy?     Please let me know by leaving a comment below or sharing a comment or picture on my Facebook Page or on Instagram . 

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References:

Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine.   Foraging Course.  (2018)

Herb Mentor by Learning Herbs

Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth.  Dr. Sharol Marie Tilgner.  2009

The Gift of Healing Herbs.  Robin Rose Bennett. 2014

The Herbarium.   The Herbal Academy of New England.

This site is for educational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice. Information found on myhealthyhomemadelife.com is meant to motivate you to make your own health care and dietary decisions based upon your own research and in partnership with your health care provider.

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