How To Harvest and Dry Yarrow

"A weed is simply a plant that you don't know what to do with."

Author Unknown

There is a lot of yarrow growing here on Oak Hill. Usually I harvest enough to make a big batch of infused oil to use throughout the year. I often double- or even triple-infuse the oil with several herbs, which might include plantain, chickweed, comfrey, and lemon balm. I make the oil into salves or creams, or use it in my homemade soap.

This year I wanted to have a few more options. I'm beginning to use herbs in teas, and I want to make some powdered yarrow to use as a wound powder. Having the fresh herbs is wonderful, but winter does arrive eventually even in Oklahoma, and there are no fresh herbs in winter. So in addition to making the infused oil, I dehydrated some yarrow as well. This post contains affiliate links. You can read my disclosure here.

I gathered a big armful of yarrow stems. The best time to harvest yarrow, or any other herb, is on a warm, sunny day. Wait until the dew has dried, but don't wait until it's so hot out that the plant's essential oils have dissipated.

I barely walked ten steps to gather all of this. 

You can use both the flowers and the leaves. I cut off the flower heads using my kitchen shears and discard the stems.

Then, holding the top of the stem in one hand, I simply run my hand down the stem from top to bottom and all the leaves come off very easily. 

If you find a multi-branched stem, it's easiest to cut them into individual stems before pulling off the leaves.

I ended up with this big bowl full of yarrow leaves and flower heads. 

You can use a dehydrator, or just spread out the herbs on a cookie sheet and dry in a very slow oven. Set the oven as low as it will go; you don't want to burn or cook the herbs, just dry out the moisture. I used my L'Equip food dehydrator (affiliate link), and filled all six trays.

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The herbs are "done" when the stems snap easily and cleanly.

I filled an entire container with this batch. Label your container (dried herbs tend to look alike, although you'd probably be able to tell from the smell that this is yarrow), and store in a cool, dry, dark place.
To make a wound powder, process the dried leaves in a coffee grinder or blender until they form a fine powder. You can use the flower heads as well although they won't grind as fine. Keep in a small, dry container such as an empty pill bottle, and label well. To use, pour the powder over a wound, then blow off the excess.
If the wound is bleeding profusely or the bleeding won't stop, seek medical attention immediately.

Remember, before using this or any herb, please research it fully.
You are responsible for your own health.


What is your favorite dried herb? How do you use it? Please leave a comment.

Related posts:
Plantain
Woolly Mullein
Echinacea
DIY Herb Field Guide

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