How to Make a Yarrow Tincture for your Herbal First Aid Kit
Yarrow tincture is a fantastic addition to any first-aid kit, helping you stay prepared for any bumps or scrapes during your herbal adventures. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), also known as woundwort or nosebleed weed, can be foraged in many areas or grown in gardens.
You can find yarrow in the summer, but it starts appearing in mid-to-late spring. Harvest young leaves before the plant flowers and pick the flowers in the summer mornings after the dew dries. You can dry your own yarrow or purchase dried yarrow from trusted sources.
Yarrow has astringent, anti-inflammatory, and hemostatic properties, making it useful for stopping bleeding, soothing bug bites, and reducing rashes. It’s also an antimicrobial herb, good for cuts, scrapes, and sore throats. Additionally, yarrow tea can lower fevers and help with digestive issues like cramping and indigestion.
To make a yarrow tincture for first aid, follow these steps:
Ingredients:
- 1 oz dried yarrow (Achillea millefolium) aerial parts
- 5 fl oz vodka or brandy (80 proof or higher)
Directions:
- Place the dried yarrow in a clean, sterilized glass jar.
- Pour vodka or brandy over the herbs. If the herbs absorb the liquid, add more alcohol to cover them completely.
- Set in a dark place to macerate for 4-6 weeks, shaking every few days.
- Strain the tincture through cheesecloth into a clean jar, pressing to release all the liquid.
- Transfer the tincture to a clean, amber bottle with a dropper cap and label it.
This yarrow tincture can cleanse wounds, stop bleeding, soothe rashes, ease digestion, and lower fevers. For external use, apply a dropperful mixed with warm water to the affected area. For internal use, add 10-20 drops to a cup of hot water.
Alicia Meek 