10 Yarrow Tea Recipes

10 Yarrow Tea Recipes

Benefits of Yarrow 

Yarrow, also known as Achillea millefolium, is a flowering herb known for its feathery leaves and clusters of tiny blossoms. 

Yarrow flowers have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and astringent qualities, and have been used in herbal medicine to treat everything from fevers to digestive issues.

Yarrow Herbal Tea

We have created each of the following yarrow tea recipes for a specific health purpose, and designed our recipes to be easy for you to make at home with just a few ingredients.

1. Fever-Breaking Yarrow Tea

It's always important to monitor a fever and seek medical attention, when necessary. For a mild fever, a natural remedy like yarrow tea can offer some relief.

Health Benefits of Yarrow and Catnip

Yarrow is well-known for its ability to induce sweating, which is the body's natural method of cooling down, and can be beneficial in managing fevers. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory properties help soothe your system internally.

Catnip boasts its own set of medicinal benefits. As a mild sedative, catnip can help relax your body. It also helps to raise body temperature through its natural warming effects, and can be helpful for breaking a fever.

Recipe Instructions

Here's how to prepare your fever-breaking yarrow tea: 

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Place the dried yarrow and catnip in a teapot or directly into a cup.
  2. Pour the boiling water over the herbs and cover the teapot or cup with a lid or saucer to retain the volatile oils and steam.
  3. Let the herbs steep for 10-15 minutes. The longer you steep, the more potent the tea may become.
  4. Strain the herbs through a fine mesh or a tea strainer to remove the plant matter.
  5. Optionally, add honey or a squeeze of lemon to taste, both of which can provide additional comfort and flavour to the tea.

When to Use This Tea

The optimal time to drink this fever-breaking tea is at the onset of fever symptoms. While yarrow has a pleasant, bitter flavour, blending it with catnip can create a more palatable remedy.

2. Yarrow Digestive Tea

A healthy digestive system is foundational for overall wellness, as it helps to break down food, absorb nutrients, and remove waste from the body. If you are experiencing digestive discomfort, try yarrow with gentian and peppermint to stimulate your digestive tract.

Benefits of Yarrow, Gentian, and Peppermint for Digestion

Yarrow contains bitter compounds which can stimulate digestive juices and reduce spasms within digestive tract. It can be a helpful post-meal aid for sluggish digestion. Gentian is a bitter herb renowned for its effectiveness in promoting digestion and enhancing the release of digestive juices. Peppermint adds a cooling sensation and relieves symptoms such as indigestion and gas.

Recipe Instructions

If you're ready to give your digestion a little herbal assistance, here's your recipe:

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Combine the dried yarrow, gentian root, and peppermint leaves in a teapot or a large tea infuser.
  2. Boil the water and pour it over the mixed herbs, ensuring they are fully submerged.
  3. Steep for about 10-15 minutes.
  4. Strain the tea into a mug, expelling the used herbs.
  5. If the flavour is too bitter, consider adding a touch of honey, which can neutralize some of the bitterness.
  6. Enjoy this tea after meals to aid digestion.

Tips for Consumption

The optimal time to drink this digestive aid is after meals. We suggest enjoying this blend in moderation because it is quite bitter. Often, only a little bit is needed.

3. Immune-Boosting Yarrow Tea with Elderberry 

During season changes and flu seasons, fortifying our immune system can be a beneficial way to avoid catching colds and flu. In this recipe, we combine the infection-fighting properties of yarrow with the benefits of elderberries to craft an immune-boosting tea.

Health Properties of Yarrow and Elderberry

Yarrow's antimicrobial properties can aid the body's natural ability to fight pathogens, and even help you recover once you’ve caught a cold.

Elderberries have been studied extensively as an herb to shorten the duration of the common cold. These small purple berries are also rich in antioxidants.

Recipe Instructions

Here's how to concoct your own immune-boosting herbal tea blend with yarrow and elderberry:

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Place the yarrow and elderberries in a sturdy pot or teapot.
  2. Heat the water to a boil, then pour it over the herbs, covering them by at least a couple of inches (this will allow them to expand and release their benefits).
  3. Cover the pot or teapot and let the blend steep for about 10-15 minutes to extract the maximum benefits. The tea will take on a deep red or purple hue.
  4. Strain out the herbs using a fine mesh or tea strainer, ensuring all plant matter is removed.
  5. For added sweetness and further immune support, stir in honey while the tea is still warm.
  6. Drink this tea whenever if you feel like your immune system needs a boost. 

Best Timing for an Immune Boost

While you can drink in this immune-boosting tea any time, it is best used when you begin to feel the tickle of an oncoming cold, or during seasons when sickness seems rampant. Regular consumption could be used as a preventive measure during these periods. 

4. Immune-Boosting Yarrow and Echinacea Tea

Here is another version of an immune-system enhancing tea. This blend combines the benefits of yarrow, the vitamin C powerhouse of rosehip, and the widely recognized immune-modulating properties of echinacea.

Synergistic Effects of Yarrow, Rosehip, and Echinacea

Yarrow provides an antibacterial base that supports fighting off colds. Next, we add rosehips, for their vitamin C content. Echinacea is included for its ability to improve the body's immune response and increase white blood cell production.

Recipe Instructions

Put together this immune-focused tea with the following:

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Combine the yarrow, rosehip, and echinacea in your teapot or a heat-resistant infuser that can accommodate the expanding herbs and allow for free-flowing water.
  2. Boil your water and then pour it over the herbal mixture, making sure it's completely covered.
  3. Cover the assembly and steep for about 10-15 minutes, allowing time for the active properties of the herbs to infuse into the water.
  4. Strain the tea into a mug or cup, being thorough to leave behind the herb remnants.
  5. You might find the tea quite earthy or even tart; if so, balance it with a hint of honey.
  6. Drink this tea once or twice daily during times when you want to support your immune system.

Usage Guidelines

This tea shines when used preventatively. Try it when you first experience signs of a cold, such as fatigue, sniffling or a sore throat. Echinacea, is not recommended for continuous, long-term use, but can be exceptionally supportive when used for short bursts.

5. Topical Wound Healing Tea

Herbal teas aren't restricted to internal use; some can provide external benefits. Yarrow’s astringent action and use as a wound healer can be applied externally. We like to combine yarrow with calendula and comfrey leaf for even more skin healing benefits.

Benefits of Yarrow, Calendula, and Comfrey Root for Skin 

Yarrow's astringent and antimicrobial properties make it ideal for topical applications. It can help to tighten skin and prevent infection.  Calendula can promote skin repair and plays a soothing role in this blend. Comfrey root contains allantoin, a compound that aids in the growth of new cells, and can help accelerate the recovery process. Try this mixture for minor burns, closed cuts, and other skin conditions with inflammation.

Recipe Instructions

Preparing an herbal tea for topical use is a similar process to preparing a drinkable tea. Here's how:

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Combine the yarrow, calendula, and comfrey leaf in a large bowl or jar.
  2. Pour boiling water over the herbs, making sure they're fully immersed.
  3. Cover the bowl or jar and allow it to steep for at least 30 minutes; you want a strong infusion for topical applications.
  4. After steeping, strain the liquid, making sure all bits of herbs are removed.
  5. Allow the strained tea to cool down to a comfortable warmth before applying as a rinse, poultice, or spray.

Safety Advice for External Use

Before using the tea, ensure it is cooled to either warm or room temperature. The tea can be applied as a spray or a rinse. You can also soak cloth or gauze in the tea and then place it directly on the affected area, or lightly dab the tea onto the skin using a cotton ball or pad.

6. Circulatory Stimulant Yarrow Tea

The circulatory system is responsible for distributing blood, nutrients, and oxygen throughout the body. A well-functioning circulatory system can facilitate better energy levels, improve cognition, and help maintain body temperature. Yarrow can help to enhance blood flow when taken internally. We paired it with ginger, an another warming herb that promotes circulation and blood flow.

Benefits of Using Yarrow and Ginger for Circulation

Yarrow helps to bring circulation to peripheral blood vessels. Ginger, works in a similar circulation-boosting way, and helps to warm your body. Both herbs can help encourage blood flow, particularly to the fingers and toes.

Recipe Instructions

Brewing up a batch of this warming tea is straightforward. Here's how:

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Put your yarrow and ginger into a teapot or directly into a large cup.
  2. Bring water to a near boil and then pour it over the herbs.
  3. Cover and steep for 10–15 minutes, which allows for a full extraction of beneficial properties.
  4. Strain the tea into a favourite cozy mug.
  5. Add honey if desired.

When to Enjoy This Circulatory Tea

This circulatory stimulant tea can be a welcome relief on a cold day, or for those who experience cold extremities.

7. Lower Blood Pressure Yarrow Tea 

Managing blood pressure is important for good cardiovascular health. Our next recipe focuses on a calming blend of yarrow and lemon balm, known for its mild hypotensive effect.

How Yarrow and Lemon Balm Aid in Reducing Blood Pressure

Yarrow's vasodilatory effects, coupled with the calming properties of lemon balm, can help with blood pressure modulation. Lemon balm is a part of the mint family, and works by helping relax and dilate blood vessels. Additionally, lemon balm has a gentle and calming effect on the nervous system. 

Recipe Instructions

To create this yarrow and lemon balm tea, follow these steps: 

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Combine the dried yarrow and lemon balm in a teapot or directly in a heatproof bowl or cup.
  2. Boil the water and pour it over the herbs to cover them thoroughly.
  3. Steep for about 10-15 minutes.
  4. Strain the tea into your drinking cup, ensuring all herb particles are removed.
  5. If desired, add honey.
  6. Sip this tea gently, preferably in a tranquil setting to enhance its stress-reducing properties.

Lemon Balm and Yarrow Tea Tips

This tea is best enjoyed regularly but not excessively; one or two cups a day can be a nice part of your daily routine. Drinking it occasionally when you're feeling particularly stressed or have had a sodium-rich meal can help provide some balance. However, it's important to note that this tea should complement, not replace, any prescribed medication or dietary recommendations from your healthcare provider.

8. Varicose Vein Prevention Tea

Weakened valves and veins result in blood pooling and vein enlargement. While various factors contribute to their development, including genetics and lifestyle choices, you can support your vascular health as a preventative measure. This tea blend combines yarrow, hawthorn berry, and gotu kola to support vein strength and circulatory health. 

The Role of Yarrow, Hawthorn Berry, and Gotu Kola in Vein Health

Yarrow helps the walls of blood vessels to retain their flexibility and integrity. Hawthorn berry is used for its heart-supportive and vascular benefits, which extend to greater vein health. Finally, gotu kola helps to improve the quality of connective tissue inside your blood vessels. 

Recipe Instructions

Here’s how you can brew your own varicose vein-preventing yarrow tea blend:

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Add the dried yarrow, hawthorn berries, and gotu kola to a large teapot or directly to a pan if you are planning to simmer the herbs.
  2. Bring the water to a boil, then pour it over the herbs or add the herbs to the pan with water and bring them to a low simmer.
  3. If steeping, cover and allow the herbs to infuse for about 10-15 minutes. If simmering, keep it on low heat for the same amount of time.
  4. Strain the herbs from the liquid using a fine mesh sieve, ensuring all plant bits are removed.
  5. Allow the tea to cool slightly and add a natural sweetener if you find the taste to be too earthy or tart.
  6. Drink 1 or 2 cups daily and consider including it as part of your routine if you're seeking vascular support.

Recommendations for Prevention

This vein health-supporting tea can be used daily. In addition, being mobile, avoiding long periods of standing or sitting, and maintaining a healthy weight are all helpful ways to preventing varicose veins.

9. Reduce Heavy Menstrual Flow Tea

This herbal tea recipe harnesses the hemostatic (bleeding-reducing) properties of yarrow, lady’s mantle and raspberry leaf. The herbs in this blend are traditionally used for menstrual health due to their astringent and toning effects on the uterus.

Benefits of Yarrow, Lady’s Mantle, and Raspberry Leaf for Menstruation

Yarrow has been used historically to help tone blood vessels and reduce excessive menstrual flow. This blend is astringent and drying.

Recipe Instructions

Begin preparing this tea by gathering:

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Mix the dried herbs together in a teapot or a large tea infuser suitable to allow proper expansion and water flow.
  2. Boil the water and pour it over the herbs, thoroughly submerging them.
  3. Let the herbs steep for around 15 minutes. A longer steep time may result in a stronger, more astringent tea.
  4. Strain the tea to remove any plant matter.
  5. Optionally, sweeten with honey, depending on your personal flavor preference.
  6. It's recommended to drink this tea around the time of menstruation, particularly on the days when the flow is heaviest, to help reduce excessive bleeding. 

Guidelines on How to Use Effectively

As always, observe your body’s reaction to this tea blend, as the personal range of normal menstrual bleeding varies widely from one individual to another.

If heavy menstrual bleeding is an ongoing concern, it's also prudent to consult with a healthcare provider to rule out conditions like fibroids or hormonal imbalances that could be contributing to the issue. While herbal teas can offer relief and support, they should be part of a broader strategy involving professional medical advice and treatments as necessary.

10. Astringent Yarrow Tea

Our last recipe uses yarrow's astringent properties topically. We paired it with white willow bark, which contains salicin. Salicin is a compound similar to aspirin, which complements yarrow's natural anti-inflammatory and astringent qualities.

The Benefits of Yarrow and White Willow Bark

Yarrow has antiseptic benefits, making it suitable for cleaning and tighten the skin. It can be used for minor wound care, reducing the appearance of pores, and promoting healthy skin tone. When applied externally, white willow bark has anti-inflammatory and astringent benefits, which can be helpful for conditions like acne.

Recipe Instructions

To prepare your external astringent tea for skin application:

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Place the yarrow and white willow bark in a glass or ceramic bowl that can handle the heat of boiling water.
  2. Boil water, and then pour it over the herbs. Make sure they are well-covered.
  3. Cover the bowl with a plate or lid to retain the heat and allow the infusion to develop fully. Let it steep for at least 30 minutes.
  4. After steeping, strain the liquid with a cheesecloth or a fine mesh sieve, catching all bits of the plant material.
  5. Allow the tea to cool to a safe, comfortable temperature before application.

Application Tips for Effectiveness

For acne or inflamed skin: Dip a clean cloth or cotton ball into the cooled tea and gently apply to the affected areas as a toner. It can be used once or twice daily, after cleaning the skin, to help relieve inflammation and tighten skin.

For small cuts and abrasions: Clean the wound, then apply the yarrow and white willow tea to the area with a clean cloth, cotton ball, or dropper. Repeat 2-3 times a day to aid in cleansing and protecting the wound area.

Using Yarrow at Home

Yarrow can be used for a range of purposes, from internal preparations aimed at fever reduction and boosting immunity, to topical blends designed for skin healing and care. Pairing yarrow with other herbs often amplifies its benefits, offering ways to enhance digestion, stimulate circulation, assist in menstrual regulation, and much more.

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1 comment

Just ran across your page. I just love it so informational. I hope I find a lot more useful information from you. Love my weeds and teas❤️

Kim

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