DIY Yarrow Salve

This DIY yarrow salve is a great addition to your first aid kit.  Yarrow is a great herb that can be used for minor topical injuries such as cuts, scrapes, burns, itchy bug bites, stings and rashes.

Yarrow

This is a lovely plant that can grow in most places. This perennial plant is part of the Asteraceae family. In the right conditions, the flowers will bloom in spring.

The most common yarrow has white flowers, though it can have yellow or pink flowers as well.

If you want to grow yarrow for medicinal use, the white variety is the one you are looking for as it is said that the others don’t contain the same plant compounds that make it medicinal.

The leaves and flowers of the white yarrow can be used to make a yarrow tea (and this salve) which can help reduce the symptoms of colds and fevers.

Check out this post for more information on how to grow and harvest yarrow.

Though this is an amazing herb that you should have in your garden, there are some contraindications that you should know. 

• Yarrow should not be taken for more than 2 weeks at a time.
• It should not be taken if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• It should not be take if you are on high blood pressure medications, have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood thinners and as it may affect blood clotting, it should not be taken for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery.
• If you place yarrow directly onto your skin, it may cause issues if you go into direct sunlight afterwards.
• Those who are allergic to the Asteraceae / Compositae family (which includes ragweed, marigolds, daisies, chrysanthemums and more), should be careful with this plant as they made have an allergic reaction to it.

Harvesting Yarrow

If you find yarrow in the wild, make sure that you properly identify it as it has a few look-a-likes. This plant can be confused with Queen Anne’s lace and the highly toxic plant, poison hemlock.

Harvest the fresh leaves and flowers to dry and use. An easy way to dry it is to hang the stalks upside down or you can spread the leaves and flowers out on a drying rack.

Using Yarrow Salve

When using this salve topically, it is said to help with wounds.

• Use on boils, sores, cuts, minor cuts and wounds, burns and rashes
• It is said to aid in clotting
• Has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to help decrease the risk of infection and inflammation
• Help reduce anxiety
• Can help reduce the severity of the symptoms of mastitis
• Helpful with fevers, colds, hay fever
• Reduce the symptoms of diarrhoea, loss of appetite, cramping and bloating
• Chewing on fresh leaves may help relieve the pain associated with toothaches
• Used in helping to lower blood pressure
• To treat pneumonia
• To help stop the skin from bleeding
• Help with rheumatic pain
• Moisturise dry skin
• Heal skin that is cracked, flaky or irritated

Carrier Oils

When making a salve, choosing the correct carrier oil can improve the impact of the salve as each carrier oil has its own set of distinct properties. Blending a couple of carrier oils can also help maximise their benefits. 

With this salve recipe, there are multiple carrier oils that could be used including:

• Avocado Oil
• Sweet Almond Oil
• Argan Oil
• Rosehip Oil
• Hemp Oil
• Safflower Oil

You can learn more about carrier oils here.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are potent, and need to be diluted. As this salve is being used on your skin, you will need to use essential oils that are gentle enough to be applied to your skin – and used in the correct quantities. 

Just be careful using some essential oils such as tea tree and peppermint, around children and pregnant women, making sure to do your research before using.

Before Using this Salve

Before using this rub, you will need to understand a few things.

• While yarrow is usually safe for many people, if you have any medical conditions, please take extra precautions and consult a healthcare professional before using.
• Test on small area of skin before using.  If there’s any irritation, dilute with more carrier oils.
• Wash hands well after using.
• Those who are allergic to the Asteraceae / Compositae family (which includes ragweed, marigolds, daisies, chrysanthemums and more), should be careful with this plant as they made have an allergic reaction to it.
• Yarrow should not be taken for more than 2 weeks at a time.
• It should not be taken if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• It should not be take if you are on high blood pressure medications, have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood thinners and as it may affect blood clotting, it should not be taken for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery.
• If you place yarrow directly onto your skin, it may cause issues if you go into direct sunlight afterwards.

More Salve Recipes

• Make Healing Calendula Salve
• Arnica Salve
• DIY Sore Muscle Rub
• DIY Rose Salve
• Goldenrod Salve
• Herbal Muscle Salve
• Charcoal Drawing Salve
• Rosemary Salve
• Comfrey Salve
• Violet Leaf Salve
• Plantain Salve

Yarrow Infused Oil

To make this salve, you will first need to make yarrow infused oil.

To make the infused oil, you will need: 

• ½  cup yarrow – dried
• 1 cup Olive Oil

First you will need to infuse the yarrow in the olive oil. To do this, let your fresh leaves dry for at least a day or two before infusing. 

Place the dry leaves in a glass jar and cover it completely with olive oil. 

Put the lid on the jar and store in a dark cupboard for two to four weeks, shaking every couple of days to keep everything submerged.

Strain the leaves with a strainer, cheesecloth or an unbleached coffee filter. The infused oil is now ready to make into a salve.

If you want to speed up the infusion process, slowly heat the oil in a slow cooker on low heat for 24 – 48 hours.

For more information on making infused oils, check this out.

Making Yarrow Salve

To make about 4 ounces of this salve, you will need:

• 1 Cup Infused Yarrow Oil
• 2  TBSP Beeswax pellets
• up to 15 drops Essential Oils (Optional)
• Makes 2 x 2oz tins

Combine the beeswax and the infused oil in a microwaveable container and heat for 30 seconds at a time in the microwave until the beeswax is completely melted. Stir in between each heat burst.

This process could also be done in a double boiler.

If using, add the essential oils and mix.

Pour the mixture into small glass jars or tins.

Let the salve cool and set.

The salve is now ready to label, date and store.

Storing This Salve

Place the salve in dark glass jars or metal tins to protect it from exposure to light and air. I have also used tubes for easier application.

Store in a cool, dark place.

When properly stored, this salve should last up to six months.

Notes

• If you are picking fresh leaves to use in this salve, make sure to harvest them from a pesticide free area.
• Harvest only when you are 100% positive you have the correct plant as there are many lookalikes which are inedible or poisonous.
• Vitamin E is optional, and is often added to salves as an antioxidant to prevent rancidity, as well as for its amazing skin-healing properties. Add 1 teaspoon of  vitamin E oil to help preserve your salve even longer! 
• You can use any type of carrier oil for the infused oil. This recipe uses olive oil. 
• If you want this to be a vegan recipe, swap out beeswax pellets for candelilla wax.
• I live in a hot climate, so this is made with 2 tablespoons of beeswax to stop it from melting during hot summers, thus making this a harder salve. Use less beeswax if you want a softer balm. To test the consistency of the salve, place a small amount on the back of your hand and see what it does. If it’s too soft, add more beeswax; if it is too hard, add more oil.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on this website.