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10 Ways to Use Yarrow

Yarrow is an amazing and beautiful plant. A plant that can add height and color to our gardens and a medicinal wonder for our medicine cabinets. Harvest some this summer and fall to harness that healing power with these 10 ways to use yarrow.

Yarrow can be used fresh or dried for many things. Use it fresh this summer and dry bunches for winter too.

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Yarrow for External Use

1) Yarrow has astringent properties that can help reduce swelling for external wounds. Make a poultice from the fresh leaves for bruised areas or make a tea from dried yarrow and use rags to apply it as a poultice.

2) It also stops bleeding. Dry the leaves and pulverize into a powder that can be applied to bleeding wounds.

3) Make a cup of yarrow tea and let it cool before using it as an astringent on the face to clean and tighten pores. For especially problematic skin, infuse the yarrow in witch hazel. Apply the infused witch hazel to the skin with cotton balls.

4) Take a warm bath in yarrow to help reduce fevers.

Bags of herbal bath teas in a metal bucket.

5) Infuse oil with yarrow flowers and leaves. Use that oil straight or make a balm for healing irritated skin.

6) Spritz a yarrow tincture or yarrow infused witch hazel over varicose veins to help tone and move blood in the body.

Yarrow for Internal Use

7) Yarrow tea induces sweating to help reduce fevers. To make yarrow tea steep 1 Tablespoon fresh leaves (1 teaspoon dried) in 1 cup of boiling water for 4-5 minutes. Sweeten with honey if desired.

Mint tea blends with tea ball and honey photograph.

8) Make a yarrow tincture to help with weak digestion.

9) Reduce excessive menstrual bleeding and ease cramps with the tea or tincture.

10) High blood pressure and problems with the heart and blood vessels may be helped with yarrow.

Yarrow is an important part of the herbal medicine cabinet, but be sure to keep some in the garden too because it attracts pollinators and can act as a fertilizer

Yarrow in bloom.

Precautions: Yarrow should not be used by pregnant women. It may cause problems for people allergic to plants in the aster family. Always check with a trained professional to avoid complications or interactions with other medications. 

Before the blooms fade completely this fall, get out there and start some home medicine making by collecting some yarrow for drying, infusions, and more. 

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Nancy

Tuesday 10th of October 2023

I agree about the weak digestion. I am a senior on lots of meds and needless to say have a weak digestive system. I keep yarrow tincture on hand for those moments I need an extra helping hand . It works.

Caroline

Tuesday 31st of May 2022

I love yarrow, I didn't hv much info about it. I didn't know that yarrow cn be made as a cup of tea. Thank you for this fruitful information about usage of Yarrow.

Alice

Thursday 25th of June 2020

Yarrow leaves dried can be used in the place of tarragon. I use yarrow, onions,garlic, cumin in cooked beans.

Marnee Michaud

Tuesday 23rd of June 2020

My husband drinks yarrow tea and mixes it with peppermint tea to combat the bitter taste some...and lots of sweetener.

Mr. TeaTime

Sunday 9th of February 2020

Is this safe to ingest? My taste buds really reject the awful bitter taste no matter how much sugar I add to it. Has anyone actually tried drink yarrow tea, was it bitter or is it just me?

Phoenix

Thursday 10th of August 2023

I added honey and it really ease the bitterness. It made it drinkable for me.

Kathy

Tuesday 10th of August 2021

@Mr. TeaTime, try lemon for the bitter and sugar to sweeten. I use lemons in green juices becauseI don’t like the taste. Lemon cuts that green butter flavor.

Kathie Lapcevic

Monday 10th of February 2020

It is very bitter. It is safe to ingest for most people - obviously some folks have allergies, pregnant women should avoid. Depending on what you're using it for ... maybe there's a better choice for you if it's too bitter.