Loose, fine herbs like yarrow and mint will dry more quickly than moisture-filled … Poor shapes dry as poor shapes. Damage becomes only more obvious after drying. Always collect more material than is needed, to allow for damage. The yarrow will thrive and flourish in a hot, sunny, dry climate, but will flop over and die in humid, wet and cold weather conditions. You can also dry your yarrow leaves to make a tea that, while bitter tasting, can help for colds and flu. Hemlock leaves are a lot larger and have a parsley like look. A hot, dry spell right before bloom seems to be ideal for producing the most fragrant leaves. Yarrow can be used fresh or dried for many things. Small leaves can remain on the stems, but removing larger leaves from thick stems will shorten the drying time. Drink hot to break a fever. You can grow the yarrow plant in planting or hardy zones 3-8 and some cultivars of the plant will survive in zones 9 and 10. Yarrow is historically known for its medicinal properties. 1) Yarrow has astringent properties that can help reduce swelling for external wounds.Make a poultice from the fresh leaves for bruised areas or make a tea from dried yarrow and use rags to apply it as a poultice. Wait for a nice, sunny day to harvest your yarrow. Dry yarrow in baskets or paper bags. Tincture: fresh plant with 1 part herb by weight to 2 parts alcohol (50-80% alcohol). If you can't locate any, you can buy it online already dried which may be the safer approach if you are new to herb identification. Harvesting Yarrow. Dosage: Tea: 1 tablespoon of chopped flowers or leaves per cup of boiled water, steep 10-15 minutes, and drink up to 3 cups a day. Drying times will vary depending on the moisture content of your herbs. Use only plants and flowers free of insect and disease damage. It is often blended with elderberry and peppermint for these purposes as well, which will also make the tea taste better. It is good for sore throats and is a decongestant, and will also help to sweat out a fever. They are spring and summer bloomers but if pruned properly, can bloom once again in fall. Yarrow leaves are about 2-4 inches long and are feather like. Find out how you can use it — in all forms — for natural healing and first-aid treatment. The aerial parts of yarrow are the parts used in herbalism. Flowers or leaves for drying may be collected anytime during the growing season, from early spring until late fall. Yarrow can been found in every continent except Antarctica, so it shouldn't be too hard to find. This means that the flowers, stems, and leaves are all used. Use only the most perfect forms. Use it fresh this summer and dry bunches for winter too.. Yarrow for External Use.