Yarrow is one of the most versatile herbs you can grow for a home apothecary, and infusing yarrow oil is a fantastic way to start. Here's how to make yarrow oil at home, how to use it in homemade salves and balms, and how to store it for maximized shelf life.
Jump to:
- What is infused yarrow oil good for?
- Yarrow benefits for skin care
- Yarrow benefits for hair
- Yarrow oil ingredients and supplies
- Which is the best carrier oil for yarrow?
- How to make yarrow infused oil
- How to solar infuse yarrow oil
- 📖 Recipe
- How to use yarrow for hair and skincare
- What is the best way to use yarrow?
- What can you mix with yarrow?
- How long does it take to make yarrow oil?
- How long does homemade yarrow oil last?
- How do you make yarrow infused oil last longer?
- Does yarrow infused oil need to be refrigerated?
- 💬 Comments
Yarrow was one of the first native flowers I added to my garden beds thanks to its drought tolerance and beautiful umbels of little blooms. At the time, I think I knew that people used to make yarrow into a styptic powder for cuts, but I didn't think I would ever use it regularly.
Now, I have a greater appreciation for the many benefits that yarrow can offer, from helping wounds heal to balancing oily skin and alleviating menstrual cramps. I'm still not quite at the point of brewing a monthly pot of yarrow tea, but I have added homemade yarrow oil to my roster of skin-friendly herbal oils to infuse each year.
What is infused yarrow oil good for?
Traditionally, yarrow has been used to treat wounds, cuts, abrasions, and diabetic ulcers, as well as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammation, and gynecological disorders. The plant has been used internally to regulate fevers and treat the common cold and coughs, and topically as a poultice or compress to staunch bleeding and encourage healing for wounds like abrasions and cuts. Today, we know it to be:
Though there is comparatively little research on yarrow's medicinal uses, what research there is seems to support those traditional uses. Yarrow remains best known for its use in treating wounds, fevers, colds, and coughs.
Yarrow benefits for skin care
Yarrow oil has applications as a moisturizer and an astringent. Some of its most popular uses in skincare are for treating:
- Acne
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Inflammation
- Oily skin
As yarrow contains antioxdative, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory compounds, it can be a wonderful addition to a facial oil or salve. Studies have shown yarrow olive oil to balance the skin's pH and improve skin hydration, and that it can "improve the appearance of wrinkles and pores."
Yarrow is also known for its ability to combat acne. That's thanks to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds, which help to prevent and treat acne. Similarly, researchers have found that yarrow extract can reduce the symptoms of eczema. Yarrow oils are commonly used to relieve irritation from conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
As an astringent, yarrow oil is best suited to oily skin. When applied regularly to dry skin, it could cause itchiness or irritation. If you're considering making yarrow infused oil for skincare, I would recommend using a non-comedogenic, antioxidative oil like sweet almond oil.
It's worth noting that as a member of the Compositae (daisy) family, yarrow can also cause contact dermatitis in people who are sensitive to other flowers in that family, like ragweed. It can also cause skin irritation when used as a facial oil on already dry skin.
Yarrow benefits for hair
Some studies have found that yarrow extract used in conjunction with other herbs prevents hair loss and stimulates hair growth. However, there is still surprisingly little research focusing on yarrow's effects on hair growth beyond treating alopecia.
One 2016 study used yarrow to treat 53 patients with alopecia and found that, after two years, 96% of the patients had increased hair growth and 43% developed "full abundant hair." Another study found yarrow infusions to be effective in treating three other types of alopecia.
So far, the evidence that yarrow oil can stimulate hair growth for people without alopecia is anecdotal. Even so, yarrow oil offers the same benefits for our scalps as it does for our skin: balancing the skin's PH, improving skin hydration, and combatting inflammation. Just be aware that if you have a ragweed allergy or are sensitive to other daisy relatives, it might cause irritation instead of relieve it.
Yarrow oil ingredients and supplies
You can make your own yarrow oil in just a few hours with a few supplies and just two ingredients: dried or fresh yarrow leaves and a carrier oil. If you're infusing the oil over heat, it'll take a minimum of two hours, though I like to also leave mine to infuse at room temperature overnight.
Here's what you'll need to make yarrow infused oil the quick way:
- 1 cup of dried or fresh yarrow leaves
- 1 ½ cups of carrier oil
- Double boiler -or- a small pot and tempered glass jar or measuring cup
- Cheesecloth
- Airtight glass jar or dropper bottle
For solar infusions, it's always advisable to use dried leaves. But for heat infusions, you can use even freshly picked yarrow leaves.
Which is the best carrier oil for yarrow?
Yarrow is useful infused in a few types of carrier oil, including:
All are great carrier oils for infusing yarrow or mixing with yarrow essential oil. For a super moisturizing salve, I like to infuse yarrow in sweet almond oil or coconut oil. For a lip balm or hair oil, I would recommend using extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil. For a facial oil, it'd be best to use a noncomedogenic oil like jojoba oil or sweet almond oil.
How to make yarrow infused oil
To start, add your yarrow leaves to the top pot of a double boiler or to a tempered glass container. Both Ball jars and glass measuring cups are convenient for this. Whatever container you use, be sure to submerge the yarrow leaves in the carrier oil.
To begin the heat infusion, place that container in a pot of water over low heat. Don't use the lids-- on the pot or on the jar-- as this can cause condensation that might make your infused oil go rancid prematurely. Next step: leave the oil to infuse for two to four hours uncovered. You don't need to worry about stirring it, but do make sure to completely submerge the leaves.
Another note: keep the water heated on the lowest setting. It should be simmering; if it's starting to boil, the oil may overheat and start to cook the yarrow.
After those two to four hours, remove the jar from the water and leave it out to cool before straining it through a cheesecloth. I like to strain it into a glass measuring cup for easier pouring.
Finally, you're all set to pour the oil into an airtight jar or bottle and store it somewhere cool and dark. A fridge is ideal for this, as it'll protect the oil from the heat or sunlight that could kickstart degradation. For the airtight container, I recommend using a dark amber or blue apothecary bottle. They come with cork stops (or dropper tops) and the dark glass helps to further protect the oil from sunlight.
Whatever container you use, you don't have to worry about sterilizing it first. As long as it is clean and dry and has an airtight seal (like a cork stopper or a Ball jar lid), it'll work.
How to solar infuse yarrow oil
Solar infusing yarrow oil takes four to six weeks and requires dried leaves to start. While some like the quick method of infusing, others feel that the oil is intangibly richer for its slower, gentler infusion.
For solar infused yarrow oil, you'll need:
- 1 cup of dried yarrow leaves
- 2 scant cups of oil
- A pint sized Ball jar
- A cheesecloth
- An airtight bottle or jar
There are a few things to keep in mind when starting a solar infusion. First, you'll need to set aside time to fully dry the leaves before starting the infusion. This may seem tedious, but any moisture in the leaves can encourage bacterial growth that will cause the oil to spoil before it should. Drying yarrow leaves can take just a few days if you hang them individually, or around a week if they're drying in bunches.
When you're ready to start the infusion, be sure to completely submerge the leaves in oil and fill the jar with oil, leaving only about ¼" headspace. Because the jar needs to stay somewhere warm to infuse, extra headspace can leave room for condensation that will, again, cause the oil to go rancid prematurely.
Finally, leave the yarrow oil somewhere warm to infuse for four to six weeks. You don't need to check on it daily, but give it a shake at least a few times per week.
If you set the oil to infuse in a sunny spot like a windowsill, find a way to protect the jar from sunlight. The easiest method is to place a paper bag over it. Especially for oils with a shorter shelf life, like extra virgin olive oil, exposure to those UV rays will start to degrade the oil. After six or so weeks, it might not cause the oil to go rancid per se, but it will start to undermine the beneficial effects that the oil would otherwise offer.
Once you're happy with the infusion, strain the yarrow oil through a cheesecloth and transfer it to a clean, dry, airtight container. If stored properly, the oil should keep for up to two years-- but plan on using it in the first year, to be safe.
📖 Recipe
Yarrow Oil Recipe
An easy infused oil that makes a versatile addition to a home apothecary. Ideal for salves, balms, and ointments.
Ingredients
- 1 cup yarrow leaves (dried or fresh)
- 1 ½ c carrier oil
Instructions
- Add yarrow leaves and carrier oil to a tempered glass jar (or the top of a double boiler), making sure to submerge the leaves
- Place uncovered in a pot of water (or onto the double boiler) and heat on lowest setting for 2-4 hours
- Remove from heat and let cool
- Strain through a cheesecloth
- Transfer to a clean, dry, airtight container and store somewhere cool and dark. Should keep for 1-2 years.
Notes
- Extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, and grapeseed oil can all be used
- Use only freshly opened oil to ensure the longest shelf life
- While infusing, do not cover the jar of herbs or the pot/double boiler. This can introduce water, causing spoilage down the line
How to use yarrow for hair and skincare
Yarrow oil made with a skin-friendly, antioxidant-rich carrier oil (like extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or almond oil) can act as a ph-balancing astringent, massage oil, facial oil, or hair oil. You can also add it to lip balms and salves to keep skin healthy in dry or cold weather.
Read More: How to Make Whipped Body Butter
What is the best way to use yarrow?
There seem to be almost endless ways to use yarrow. Yarrow oil can balance the skin's pH, improve skin hydration, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, prevent and treat acne, and reduce eczema symptoms.
Yarrow tea can aid digestion, soothe menstrual cramps, or combat a cold or cough. As a compress, it can help skin wounds and bruises heal.
Making yarrow oil is one way to take advantage of the herb's beneficial properties. Depending on your needs, though, you might prefer to make a yarrow tincture or yarrow tea. As ever with herbal remedies, be sure to do your own research before taking yarrow internally.
What can you mix with yarrow?
Yarrow can be combined with calendula oil, rosemary oil, and comfrey oil for a super healing winter salve. As a tea, yarrow can be mixed with honey and lemon to improve the flavor. If being taken internally for a cold or cough, echinacea could be added to the mix. As a digestive aid, yarrow could be mixed with peppermint to make a soothing tea.
Read More: How to Make Calendula Oil
How long does it take to make yarrow oil?
Yarrow oil infused over heat takes three to four hours to make, not including the time it takes to dry the leaves (if you choose to do so.) Making a solar infused yarrow oil can take about a month, plus up to a week for drying the leaves beforehand.
How long does homemade yarrow oil last?
Yarrow oil made with dried leaves will last longest, but even yarrow oil infused with fresh leaves can last for over a year when stored properly. Yarrow oil infused with dried leaves can last even longer (up to two years), especially when kept in a cool, dark place.
How do you make yarrow infused oil last longer?
Infused oils last longest when stored in clean, dry, airtight jars, in cool locations, and out of the sun. Heat and sunlight can cause oils to start to degrade more rapidly, so the ideal way to store yarrow oil is in a dark apothecary bottle in the fridge or in a cool, dark cabinet.
Keeping water out of your infused oil will also help to extend its shelf life. Water droplets can introduce bacteria that can cause spoilage, so be careful not to introduce any moisture while infusing or storing the oil. For the same reason, it's important to strain out the leaves; while they look beautiful in the jar, fresh leaves (even after infusing) contain moisture that can make the oil go rancid.
Keep in mind that while improperly storing your infused oil might cause it to degrade, there is a difference between old or 'spoiled' oil and rancid oil. If you're unsure whether the infused oil is okay to use, just give it a smell-- rancid oil will smell noticeably off.
Does yarrow infused oil need to be refrigerated?
Yarrow oil doesn't need to be kept in the fridge, but it will last longer if it stays somewhere cold and dark. Yarrow infused oil can last for a year in a dark, cool place like a cupboard or basement. So, it doesn't need to be refrigerated in the same way that some food does. But it is important to keep the oil in a dark place, so that exposure to sunlight doesn't cause the oil to lose its potency too quickly.
If you're planning to use the yarrow oil in a yarrow salve or other healing salve, know that it will be more stable as a salve or balm.
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