Yarrow has a long history as a skin-healing plant, and modern research backs up many of its traditional uses. You can apply it as an infused oil, a fresh poultice, or a tea-based rinse, depending on whether you’re targeting wounds, inflammation, or everyday skin irritation. Here’s how each method works and when to use it.
Why Yarrow Works on Skin
Yarrow’s skin benefits come from a dense mix of active compounds. Its flavonoids (including quercetin, apigenin, and rutin) act as antioxidants that protect skin cells from damage. Tannins give yarrow natural astringent properties, tightening skin tissue and helping to slow minor bleeding. The plant also contains sesquiterpene lactones, a group of compounds that directly suppress inflammation by blocking the enzymes and signaling molecules that drive redness, swelling, and pain.
Lab studies show that yarrow extract stimulates collagen production in skin cells and encourages the movement of new skin cells toward a wound site, two processes essential for faster healing. In one clinical trial on leg ulcers, patients treated with a yarrow ointment saw ulcer surface area shrink by nearly 40% over three weeks, compared to just 15% in the control group. A separate trial found that yarrow ointment applied to surgical wounds significantly reduced pain, redness, and swelling by the seventh day of healing compared to standard care.
Making a Yarrow-Infused Oil
An infused oil is the most versatile preparation. You can use it directly on skin, blend it into salves, or add it to homemade creams. You’ll need about 3 to 4 ounces of dried yarrow leaves and flowers and 1 to 2 cups of a carrier oil like cold-pressed olive oil or jojoba oil.
Fill a clean glass jar halfway to three-quarters full with the dried yarrow. Pour oil over the herb until it reaches about half an inch from the top of the jar, making sure all plant material is submerged (exposed herb can grow mold). From here, you have two options:
- Sun infusion (slow method): Seal the jar tightly and place it in a sunny windowsill for six weeks. Shake it gently every few days.
- Double boiler method (fast): Place the jar in a pot of water over low heat for one to two hours. Keep the water at a gentle simmer, not a boil.
Once infused, strain the oil through cheesecloth into a clean jar, squeezing out as much liquid as possible. Stored in a cool, dark place, the oil keeps for about six months to a year. Apply a small amount to irritated skin, minor cuts, dry patches, or areas of inflammation. A few drops also work well mixed into an unscented moisturizer.
Applying a Fresh Yarrow Poultice
A poultice delivers yarrow’s compounds directly to the skin in a concentrated form and works well for acute situations like minor wounds, insect bites, or localized swelling. You’ll need a good handful of fresh yarrow leaves (roughly 25 to 50 grams), a small amount of water, and a piece of muslin or thin cotton cloth.
Pick the leaves and brush off any dirt or insects. Place them in a mortar (or a sturdy bowl) and add just enough water to help break down the plant material. Crush and mash the leaves into a paste. Cut a piece of muslin roughly twice the size of the area you want to treat, then spread the paste onto one half. Fold the muslin over like a sandwich so the herb is enclosed between two layers of fabric.
Apply the poultice directly to the skin and tie it in place with strips of cloth or a bandage. Leave it on for about 30 minutes, then remove. You can repeat this several times a day as needed. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, simply chewing or firmly rolling the leaves between your hands until they release their juices is a traditional field method that works in a pinch.
Making a Yarrow Skin Rinse or Compress
A yarrow tea used as a rinse or compress is a lighter option for larger areas of skin, such as a sunburned back or a rash spread across a limb. Steep about two tablespoons of dried yarrow (or a generous handful of fresh leaves and flowers) in one cup of just-boiled water for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and let it cool to a comfortable temperature.
For a compress, soak a clean cloth in the tea, wring it out slightly, and lay it over the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes. For a rinse, simply pour or pat the cooled tea over the skin and let it air dry. The tannins in the tea provide a mild tightening effect that can temporarily reduce the appearance of pores and help calm oily or inflamed skin. You can store leftover tea in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Best Uses for Each Preparation
Different preparations suit different skin concerns:
- Minor cuts and scrapes: A fresh poultice delivers the highest concentration of active compounds directly to the wound.
- Dry, irritated, or inflamed skin: An infused oil provides both the plant’s anti-inflammatory compounds and the moisturizing benefits of the carrier oil.
- Oily or acne-prone skin: A cooled tea rinse or compress takes advantage of yarrow’s astringent tannins without adding oil.
- Bruises and swelling: A cool compress soaked in yarrow tea can help reduce inflammation over a broad area.
- General skin maintenance: A few drops of infused oil added to your regular moisturizer gives a mild antioxidant and anti-inflammatory boost.
Allergy Risk and Safety
Yarrow belongs to the Asteraceae (daisy) family, which includes ragweed, chamomile, and chrysanthemums. If you’re allergic to any of these plants, there’s a meaningful chance you’ll react to yarrow too. Cross-reactivity within this plant family is well documented. In patch-testing studies, patients allergic to one Asteraceae plant frequently tested positive for others in the same family.
Before applying any yarrow preparation to a large area, do a patch test. Rub a small amount on the inside of your forearm and wait 24 hours. If you see redness, itching, or a rash, don’t use it. Yarrow is also classified as an emmenagogue, meaning it can stimulate menstrual flow. While topical absorption is lower risk than internal use, pregnant women are generally advised to avoid yarrow in any form as a precaution.
When harvesting yarrow yourself, make sure you’ve identified it correctly. The plant has feathery, fern-like leaves and flat clusters of small white or pink flowers. It grows commonly along roadsides and in meadows, but avoid gathering from areas sprayed with pesticides or near heavy traffic. If you’re unsure of identification, purchasing dried yarrow from an herb supplier is the safer option.