Yarrow Salve (update #2)

 

                                              

In 2024 I made our first yarrow salve, after learning more about the herb.  I have a lot of it growing here, and have used it many ways.  I'd have to go look into my notes, but I believe I used olive oil, or sweet almond oil.

I have, in the past, pulled off some fresh leaves and rubbed it on my arms in a quick pinch to ward off the mosquitos while gardening (will be added to our homemade bug spray), and I have used it many times for a bloody nose (who knew?).  I read, sometime about 2 years ago, that one can simply put the fresh leaves in their nose to stop a nose bleed (have not tired that, but read it somewhere on an herbal blog or book).

I infused oil, and whipped up some salve in 2024, and the most use over the last two years, has been for a bloody nose brought on by dry heat indoors over winter.

It has helped stop the nose bleed in a matter of a minute or two, vs. 20 minutes without it.  

I also keep the salve in a smaller container to travel with, when staying at hotels for more than one night.  Hotels have very dry air in the winter and summer, and I was glad to have it one trip a few years ago after first making the salve.

I'm not a doctor or herbal specialist.  I am simply sharing my experience with our herbal salves.  

Yarrow is invasive, so if you grow it in a pot, and do not regularly cut the flowers off, the seeds will re-seed on the ground around it and you will have yarrow all over the ground in that area.  Just a heads up on that if you are new to planting the herb.

I have used it in "sleep" tinctures, and in teas, but do your research yourself.  If

What have I learned so far?  Yarrow is well known for it's ability to slow bleeding of cuts or wounds, and works as an astringent for those pesky scratches you many get doing outdoor work or garden work.  I have read a few articles that it is edible, but I have yet to add it to any recipes.  Please comment below if you have any experience with yarrow.

In all the years of growing, harvesting and processing herbs of all types, I have not kept a specific "journal" for it.  Often, I'll infuse an oil with an herb spontaneously, and forget to write what oil I used on the label.  I forgot to keep track of uses, and such, and I am now starting (a new "first" this year) my own journal for my herbal journey/apothecary journey.  A simple notebook works for this note taking, but I see that there are several herbal journal options online as well.

I do not know anything about the salves sold online, or by folks on Etsy, but we have located a good (and true) apothecary in our state, who makes salves (and tinctures, teas, and all sorts of other items).  

Winter is still lingering.  Morning temperatures are about 23°F and the skies have been cloudy and dreary.   Rain again.

Yarrow Salve (update #2)  ©  March 2026 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Homemade Self-Care Updates ~ Other Homemade "stuff"

I made homemade hair detangler last year, and used it all year long. I even bought a small spray bottle for traveling with (and it worked great).  I have added lemon essential oil to it now.

I discovered a hair brush, after my hair dresser used one on my hair one visit.

 It's called a detangler brush, and they do exist in your big box stores.  I bought one, and wow!  I can brush out my hair much more easily with this tool (it's a small brush, but hard to tell in the photo).  Not sure how they make the brush, but I use a lot less homemade detangler now, and it takes a lot less time to brush my wet hair out with the detangler brush.  

Remember the homemade face toner? As well as the homemade face serum?  I am still using both, and love them both.  In fact, the serum (I made my own rosehip oil for it first), is said to reduce scar damage, and help the skin grow new skin cells.  I used it all year on a very small scar on my chin and it's barely visible anymore.  I am also using it on the spider bite scar, and my husband was shocked at how it's hardly visible as well.  It takes time, but the "serum" works great on scars too.

I'm not sure if I have a past post on the facial serum, but the recipe is from the same source online.

Homemade body wash.  I love this stuff!  Here is how I prepare it (with organic ingredients):

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup jojoba oil

1/4 cup castor oil

1/4 cup pure liquid castile soap (I use Bronner's)

1 1/2 Tbsp. Glycerin

20 drops Frankincense essential oil

I used a funnel (used only for such homemade items), and poured it into a BPA free squeeze bottle. I just shake it up before using, but you could put it in an amber pump bottle too.

I started with a small amount first, because I read that some people can have allergic reactions to castor oil.  I did not, and I really like the body wash.

Homemade nourishing nail oil.  I am still using it, but it's too early to say if it's doing what it should be doing.  My cuticles look much healthier however.  Long work days outside, may require this extra self-care. 

Homemade Yarrow Salve.

We love this stuff.  After someone told me that you can simply put fresh yarrow leaves (and not by a doctor) into your nose to stop a nose bleed, I was interested in making a salve.  Guess what?  I tend to get a few nose bleeds in the winter, due to dry air (or longer than usual stays in a dry air motel/hotel room).  Twice I have used the salve on a tissue to stop my nose bleed, and it worked within a very short time vs. without it.  We've used it for cuts, and for it's healing properties too.  I will definitely make this on a regular basis, and next time will fill a travel container too.

Homemade Window Cleaner.

Love this stuff.  It's worked great on mirrors and windows.  I just used it to clean the outside of a window, to see how it would dry (or even clean) during these cold days, and it worked great.  It makes bird watching, or wild animal watching much clearer, ha ha!  I do have to mix up some more.  I can't say if it is costing me less, but it is inexpensive to make.  The best part, is contains no weird chemicals.  

The ingredients are from an online source (on my blog post here):  "Looking around the house . . ." It is ingredients most people have around the house, other than buying distilled water.  We have well water, so I can't say I have tried city water for this.

Homemade Self-Care Updates ~ Other Homemade "stuff" © January 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart