Yarrow Cold and Fever Herbal Tea Blend
This combination of herbs has been used for a long time. I first read about this tea in A Modern Herbal, by Mrs. Maude Grieves, which was first published in 1931. Interestingly, I had already been making a similar blend on my own for its relief of fevers and colds for myself and my family. This is a delicious healing remedy to include in your herbal medicine chest to be taken at the onset of a cold and fever, helping to open the pores, especially with obstructed perspiration.
Ingredients:
1 part Yarrow flowers and leaves
1 part Elder flowers
1 part Peppermint leaves
Method: Make a strong infusion of the herbal tea by pouring a pint of boiling filtered water over one – two Tablespoons of the herbal blend, depending on your preference. Steep the tea blend for 15 minutes and strain. Drink the hot tea with or without honey, allowing the herbs to begin to do their work. If the fever persists, drink another cup of tea in 30 minutes to an hour. Continue to drink a cup of tea every 30 minutes to an hour, until the fever breaks.
Yarrow First Aid Spray
This spray is like making a tincture, which is a highly concentrated liquid herbal extract. Tinctures are often used as healing remedies and used externally and internally in small amounts, usually taken in water or tea. This method uses the traditional simpler’s method and can be done quite easily in your own kitchen or garden without a lot of fancy equipment or precise measurements. This spray is one of our favorite items in our First Aid kit. We use it for an assortment of cuts, scrapes, and wounds, helping to stop the bleeding, disinfect the area and provide pain relief. We have also found Yarrow spray to be helpful as a natural and safe insect repellent, as well.
Ingredients:
Fresh Yarrow flowers and leaves
80-100 proof vodka or brandy (or alcohol of choice)
Clean jars, scissors or knife, strainer and labels
Methods: Gather Yarrow flowers and leaves after the dew has dried and preferably after 3 days without rain. Chop finely or use scissors to cut the Yarrow leaves and flowers and place in clean jar. Pour alcohol of choice over the Yarrow herb and stir to ensure all of the herb is immersed, covering the herb by two inches with the alcohol. Seal the jar with a tight fitting lid. Label jar with contents and date. Place the jar in a warm location for four to six weeks so that herbs macerate. Swirl solution daily, infusing it with healing and positive energy. After the allotted time, pour the macerated mixture through a strainer into a clean jar so that the solution is separated from the herbs and a clear solution remains. (I often use a funnel, for support, with the strainer set inside it and maybe an old tea towel). Squeeze out the herbs so that you get all the medicine from the infusion. Ideally, a dark colored jar is used to store the newly made tincture/spray. Label the jar with the contents and date and then store in a cool and dark place. An alcohol based tincture should last for several years. We pour this solution into a 4 ounce amber spray bottle and label it as a Yarrow First Aid spray, and keep it in our first aid kit and accessible in the kitchen.
Yarrow – Comfrey Herbal Salve
The use of Yarrow in a salve was mentioned to me on a recent trip to Scotland with my family, as I asked questions about the various familiar herbs that I identified in the fields and roadsides. It was said by our tour guide that Yarrow was used in an ointment by the Highlanders for all sorts of issues with distended veins and capillaries, including piles (or hemorrhoids) and it is/was used as a general disinfectant salve. I came home immediately and infused Yarrow in oil to make such a salve, including Comfrey in it, for its healing qualities, as well.
Ingredients:
Yarrow flowers, leaves and stems (freshly wilted or dried)
Comfrey leaves and stems (freshly wilted or dried)
Organic oil of choice (olive, almond, apricot, grapeseed)
Good quality Beeswax
Method: Prepare an herb infused oil. See Herbal Recipes under Comfrey Infused Oil for how to make the Yarrow infused oil. 1/2 cup Yarrow flowers and leaves infused in oil for 4-6 weeks (strained) 1/2 cup Comfrey leaves and stems infused in oil for 4-6 weeks (strained) 1/4 cup Clean Grated Beeswax (use more if you like a very firm salve) Optional: add 1/2 teaspoon Vitamin E oil as additional preservative
To make the salve: Add 1/4 cup grated beeswax to double boiler. If using pyrex or mason jar, place in pot of gently boiling water to melt. Meanwhile, pour in one cup of herbal infused oils to heat proof jar, 2-cup measuring pyrex container or double boiler with beeswax. When beeswax is melted, remove jar of solution from heat and pour into small jars or tins. It will thicken and harden as it cools. If the consistency is not to your liking, simply remelt salve and make adjustments (more beeswax for a firmer salve or more oil for a softer salve). This makes approximately eight ounces of salve. Apply as needed (3-4 times a day) and feel nature’s healing powers!
Yarrow – Comfrey Herbal Liniment (for External Use)
Herbal liniments are external remedies that are rubbed into the skin. They are made in a similar manner as a tincture. Liniments are often used to soothe sore muscles and ligaments and disinfect wounds. This liniment is helpful for treating varicose veins and bruises, with its astringent action which tightens and firms blood vessels and clears blood congestion. It is made in the traditional simpler’s method (where exact measurements are not strictly followed and fancy equipment is not required).
Ingredients:
2 parts Yarrow flowers and leaves (freshly harvested after the dew has dried)
1 part Comfrey leaves, stems, and/or root (freshly picked and wilted)
1/2 part Raspberry leaves
1/4 – 1/8 Cayenne pieces or flakes (dried)
Organic apple cider vinegar (unpasteurized)
Method: Chop or cut the herbs and place in a clean and dry jar. Pour vinegar to cover the herbs by two inches. Secure the lid on the jar and let sit in a warm location 4-6 weeks. Strain after the allotted time period into clean jar or spray bottle. Label and store in a cool and dark place. To use the liniment, pour a small amount into hand (or spray onto desired area). Gently rub and massage the liniment towards the heart, using long and steady strokes. A compress can be made with the liniment by soaking a clean cotton cloth and applying it directly onto the desired area. If the liniment bothers the skin, try making the same recipe infusing the herbs in oil.