With its healing, soothing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a wonderful natural remedy for skin health. Unlock all its amazing benefits with this easy DIY yarrow salve recipe, and explore its uses in this post.

Tin can of yellow yarrow (Achillea millefolium) flowers salve with olive oil and beeswax on wooden surface with striped cloth and fresh yarrow flowers and leaves nearby

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Lately, I’ve been on a real herbal remedy kick! It’s truly amazing how many powerful medicinal plants are growing right around us. We often call them weeds and they grow unnoticed in our backyards, along sidewalks, or in nearby fields. The more I learn, the more I realize how accessible and effective these natural remedies can be.

Making your own herbal oils, salves, and tinctures might sound a little intimidating at first, but it’s surprisingly easy and deeply rewarding. It’s a great way not only to save money, but also to become more self-sufficient, reconnect with nature, and reduce our exposure to toxins and synthetic ingredients. And of course, it also feels a little bit magic.

This yarrow salve is a great place to start: a simple, beginner-friendly recipe with wonderful healing and soothing benefits for the skin. Tucked into a little jar, it also makes a thoughtful homemade gift for anyone who appreciates natural remedies and simple living.

What is Yarrow?

Yarrow, or common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), is a flowering perennial in the Asteraceae family. Native to temperate regions of Europe and Asia, it is now naturalized in North America, New Zealand, and Australia. Yarrow grows up to 3 feet tall with feathery leaves and clusters of tiny white or pale pink flowers that bloom throughout the summer. Cultivated varieties now offer blossoms in vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink. Both the leaves and flowers are edible and carry a slightly aromatic scent.

Wild yarrow grows in a variety of habitats, including pastures, roadsides, meadows, and disturbed sites. Look around your backyard or along roads and trails in your neighborhood and you’ll likely spot some yarrow!

Its Latin name comes from the Greek hero Achilles, who was said to use yarrow to treat wounds during the Trojan War. “Millefolium” means “a thousand leaves”, referencing yarrow’s finely divided, feathery-like leaves.

Close up of yarrow (Achillea millefolium) flowers

Health Benefits of Yarrow

Yarrow has long been used medicinally to stop bleeding and promote wound healing. It is also known to support fevers, digestion, urinary health, and help respiratory, menstrual and IBS symptoms, reduce inflammation and promote relaxation.

Internally, yarrow leaves and flowers can be made into tea or tincture (alcohol or glycerin extract).

Pourinh hot water over dried yarrow flowers in glass cup to make yarrow tea. Jar with yarrow flowers and decorative pink flowers in background

Topically, it can be applied fresh, used in baths or compresses, or infused into oil to make salves.

According to traditional herbalism, the main benefits of yarrow are:

Styptic: Promotes blood clotting, and helps heal cuts, wounds, and nosebleeds
Antiseptic and Antimicrobial: Prevents infection when applied to wounds, and supports immune defense against some minor viruses and bacteria
Anti-inflammatory: Reduces redness, swelling, and irritation (topically and internally), and eases muscle aches, joint pain, and inflammatory skin conditions
Astringent: Tightens tissues. Useful for skin toning, acne, and treating diarrhea or heavy menstrual flow
Circulatory Support: Stimulates circulation. Can be useful to ease varicose veins, bruising, and poor blood flow
Digestive Aid: Relieves bloating, indigestion, and cramping, and supports liver and gallbladder function
Fever Support / Diaphoretic: Encourages sweating to help break fevers
Menstrual and Hormonal Support: Helps regulate menstrual flow, while helping ease menstrual cramps and heavy bleeding
Calming / Nervine: Mildly relaxing to the nervous system, can help soothe anxiety, tension, and insomnia especially when combined with other herbs

Yarrow Leaves vs Yarrow Flowers

Both leaves and flowers are used in herbal medicine and offer valuable healing properties. Flowers tend to be more concentrated, so use flowers when available in large amounts.

Dried yarrow flowers spilling out of glass mason jar on wooden counter

How to Harvest and Dry Yarrow

Identifying yarrow correctly

Yarrow may be confused with other plants, especially some belonging to the carrot family including Queen Anne’s Lace and Poison Hemlock, but also Valerian (see picture below). A careful identification is necessary as some of those plants are toxic.

To distinguish yarrow it’s important to take a close look at the leaves: yarrow’s leaves are finely divided, feathery-looking, while carrot family plants have broader, fern-like leaves. The flowers are also different, with yarrow’s clusters radiating from multiple points and carrot plants’ clusters radiating from a single point. Wild carrot or Queen Anne’s Lace also has a small distinctive dark purple flower in the center of each white white cluster.

Three plants laying on beige cloth with name written over. Differences between yarrow, valerian, and wild carrot

How to harvest yarrow

Harvest yarrow leaves at any time during the summer, and yarrow flowers when they are in full bloom (with most of the tiny flowers open and vibrant), and before they become brown and start drying.

The best time to harvest plants is always in the morning, once the morning dew has dried but before the sun gets too intense.

To harvest, you can cut entire stalks, or pick individual leaves and flower clusters, depending on your personal preference and how you intend to dry them (see below).

Always make sure to harvest yarrow from an uncontaminated area that is not highly polluted (such as a busy roadside), sprayed with pesticides or herbicides, or contaminated by human or animal waste.

Bowl full of freshly harvested yarrow (Achillea millefolium) flowers and stems laying on yarrow patch

How to dry yarrow

Air drying is the best way to preserve all plants’ medicinal properties as it doesn’t expose the plant to high heat and dries it nice and slow.

Bunches of yarrow (Achillea millefolium) flowers and stems tied with rope laying on wooden table

My favorite way to dry yarrow is to tie together bunches of flowers with the stem and leaves and hang them upside down in a dry, well-ventilated location away from direct sunlight inside my home. You can also dry individual leaves and flowers on a mesh or clean tea towel. Air drying typically takes 3-6 weeks.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) bunches hanging upside down to air dry

Alternatively, you can use a dehydrator on a low setting (~ 135°F) to dry the leaves and flowers.

Yarrow is dry when the stems snap cleanly without bending, the leaves are crispy and brittle, and the flowers feel dry and papery to the touch. Once dry, store yarrow in a labeled airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place.

What is Yarrow Salve and How to Use it

A salve is a thick, oil-based ointment made from infused oil and beeswax. It’s used topically to soothe, protect, or heal the skin.

Yarrow salve is made by infusing dried yarrow flowers and/or leaves in a carrier oil, allowing the medicinal properties to be extracted into the oil. The addition of beeswax creates a semi-solid, spreadable balm.

Tin of yellow yarrow (Achillea millefolium) salve with another tin, beeswax pellets, and dried yarrow flowers in background

It’s gentle and safe for adults, children, pets, and even backyard livestock.

Use yarrow salve on:

Minor cuts and scrapes (helps stop bleeding and speed healing)
Bug bites and stings (reduces irritation and swelling)
Dry, cracked skin (especially hands and heels)
Bruises and sore muscles (soothes inflammation and pain)
Varicose veins (supports circulation)

Cautions and safety of yarrow salve

Yarrow is generally considered a gentle and safe herbal remedy, but it may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions to people who are sensitive or allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family (like chamomile). You can do a patch test before using if you are concerned.

Oil- and wax-based salves are not indicated for application of deep open wounds as they can increase the risk of infection. Poultices are more suitable for deep bleeding wounds, while yarrow salve can be safely applied on small cuts and scrapes.

Yarrow may increase sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid applying this salve in large amounts and extended areas before sun exposure.

Avoid the use of herbal remedies on infants (below 6 months) as they may be too strong.

Yarrow VS plantain salve

Yarrow and plantain (Plantago major) are both excellent and powerful herbal remedies to turn into salves. Y ou can find my plantain salve recipe and discover its benefits and uses in this post! Plantain and yarrow have similar properties, and both salves can be used to relief similar skin issues.

Yarrow salve is best to help stop bleeding for minor cuts and wounds, provide relief from bruises or sore muscles, and to soften the skin on cracking hands and heels.

Plantain salve is best to relief itchiness and pain from bug bites and stings, drawing out splinters and foreign objects from skin, and relieve itchy rashes, eczema, or diaper rashes.

Both yarrow and plantain are equally useful to prevent skin infections.

How to Make a Yarrow and Plantain Salve

Of course, you don’t have to choose between yarrow and plantain! If you wish, you can simply combine the two herbs in an extra powerful healing salve. There are a couple of ways to do so:

Infuse the oils separately, then combine

You can infuse yarrow and plantain separately into your carrier oils of choice (see below how to do so!). Once the oils are ready, simply combine them and add beeswax to make a yarrow and plantain salve according to the instructions below.

Make a plantain and yarrow infused oil

You can also infuse plantain and yarrow together in your carrier oil in the same jar, then use to make a salve.

Make a double infused oil

If you want an extra powerful salve, you can double infuse your oil. First, make some plantain-infused oil (follow instructions in this post). Once the plantain-infused oil is ready, strain it and use it to infuse yarrow following the instructions down below, and use to make your salve. This way you can infuse more herbs into the same amount of oil and get an extra powerful salve that combine the properties of yarrow and plantain.

Ingredients for this Yarrow Salve

Dried yarrow flowers and cup of olive oil used to make yarrow salve

Dry yarrow flowers and/or leaves. Follow the instructions above for how to harvest and dry yarrow flowers and/or leaves. If you have a lot of yarrow available, only use the flowers as they are more concentrated and powerful. You can also purchase dried yarrow.

Oil. You need a good carrier oil to infuse the plantain leaves in, which will be the base of this salve. I like using extra virgin olive oil or jojoba oil (like this organic, cold-pressed one). Other good options include avocado oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and almond oil. You can also use a combination of different oils.

Beeswax pellets. Beeswax pellets help the oil solidify and turn into a semi-solid cream that’s easy to apply. Beeswax also has moisturizing and healing properties.

Essential oils (optional). You can add a few drops of essential oils for fragrance and added benefits. Good options include lavender, tea tree, and frankincense. Avoid essential oil if you’re sensitive or for using on small children and animals.

Vitamin E (optional). You can add a few drops of vitamin E oil to increase your salve’s shelf life, even though when made with jojoba oil it will already last about 1 year.

Tools you May Need

Jar for infusing oil. Use a heat-resistant jar (like a mason jar) if using the double boiler infusion method.

Double boiler or saucepan and heat-resistant bowl.

Strainer and cheesecloth or clean tea towel.

Tin jar(s) like these 2-oz ones or other kind of jar with lid to store salve.

How to Make Yarrow Salve

Make the yarrow-infused oil

Step 1: Add dried yarrow flowers and/or leaves to a clean pint-sized mason jar or any other glass jar. Fill the jar about halfway to three-quarters full. If you’re only making enough oil for one batch of salve, you’ll need just about ½ cup of oil, so you can fill the jar with about 1 inch of yarrow.

Step 2: Pour your carrier oil(s) of choice over the yarrow until fully submerged. Use at least ½ cup of oil, or enough to completely cover the plant material. Place the lid on the jar and shake gently to stir.

Pouring olive oil over dried yarrow flowers in a mason jar to make yarrow-infused oil

Step 3 (Slow-infusion method): Place the jar in a warm, sunny window for about 2-3 weeks, or in a cool, dark place for 4–6 weeks. Shake the jar gently every few days.

Mason jar of yarrow oil infusing by a sunny window

Step 3 (Fast double boiler method): Place the jar (make sure it’s heat-resistant!) in a saucepan with a few inches of hot water. Let it gently simmer (not boil) on low heat for 2–3 hours, shaking occasionally.

Step 4: Once infused, strain the oil using a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a clean tea towel. Gently squeeze the cloth to extract as much oil as possible. Use immediately or store in a clean, labeled glass bottle away from heat and light.

Straining yarrow infused olive oil through a cheesecloth

Make the salve

Step 1: In a double boiler (or a heatproof bowl set over a pot with a few inches of simmering water), melt 1½ tablespoons of beeswax, stirring occasionally.

Melting beeswax pellets in a white bowl over pot of boiling water

Step 2: Remove from heat and slowly stir in 90 ml of the infused yarrow oil. Add any optional ingredients (like essential oils) at this point and stir until fully combined.

Step 3: Pour the warm mixture into your jar(s) or tins of choice. Let it cool and solidify at room temperature or in the refrigerator to speed up the process.

Freshly made liquid yarrow salve in tin cans ready to cool

Notes

Always use well-dried herbs to infuse oil and strain the oil very well to avoid the risk of mold.
The slow-infusion method is considered superior to preserve all the properties of the plants and oils, even though the double boiler method is much faster. Always make sure to keep the oil at a temperature not exceeding 160°F (71°C) if using the double boiler method.
Label any leftover dried herbs, infused oil, and the salve with date and content.
Adjust the amount of beeswax slightly if you want a softer or harder texture
Store the salve in a closed jar in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight. Shelf life will depend on the kind of oil(s) used. Salve made with jojoba oil can last up to 2 years. Adding vitamin E will extend shelf life, as well as refrigerating the salve.

If you try making this salve, I’d love to hear how it went! Share your results and any creative uses in the comments, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star rating if you loved this herbal remedy!

Sources and Additional Resources

Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium) as Medicine

Grow, Gather, Heal: Embracing Yarrow’s Healing Touch By John T. Ungerer

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.): A Neglected Panacea? A Review of Ethnobotany, Bioactivity, and Biomedical Research by WL Applequist and DE Moerman

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Printable Recipe Card

Yarrow Salve Easy DIY Recipe for Soothing and Healing Skin f

Yarrow Salve Recipe

Marta Miatta

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 20

Infusion time 21

Servings 2 2-oz tins

Equipment

Jar for infusing oil.
Double boiler or saucepan and heat-resistant bowl.
Strainer and cheesecloth or clean tea towel.
Tin jar(s) or jar(s) with lid to store salve.
Ingredients

Ingredients

For the infused oil

Dried yarrow flowers and/or leaves
½ cup (or more) olive oil or other carrier oil(s)

For the salve

6 tablespoons 90 ml of your yarrow-infused oil
1½ tablespoons beeswax pastilles
4-6 drops essential oil optional
4-6 drops vitamin E oil optional, as a natural preservative