Rose, Plantain & Yarrow Itch Remedy

This vinegar based liniment, or rub, can help relieve some of the pesky itchiness that chiggers and mosquitoes can inflict.

Roses are included for their anti-inflammatory properties, plantain for its skin-soothing benefits and yarrow for its antiseptic action.

Vinegar and witch hazel act as the solvents that extract and carry the benefits onto your skin.

Rose Yarrow and Plantain in a Jar on a wooden background

What if I don’t have fresh herbs?

If you don’t have fresh herbs available, you can use dried instead, see directions below for more details.

Rose Yarrow Plantain in a glass jar beside a jar of witch hazel and vinegar

Rose, Plantain & Yarrow Itch Remedy

Fill a glass canning/mason jar about 3/4 of the way with the fresh herbs. If you’ve collected a lot of roses, plantain and yarrow, then use a large jar. If you only have a handful of each, use a small jar.

Pour apple cider vinegar into the jar, just until the herbs are covered. Stir, then pour witch hazel into the jar until it’s almost full. (If you don’t have witch hazel, just use more vinegar.)

Cover the jar with a plastic lid, or place a layer of parchment paper or plastic wrap between the metal lid and the jar. This keeps the vinegar from corroding the lid over time.

Tuck the liniment away for 2 to 4 weeks, then strain. (Tip: To use sooner, infuse with gently heated vinegar. You can use it within a day or two, though extended infusing time is ideal.)

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Rose Plantain Yarrow Itch Remedy

To Use for Chiggers or Mosquito Bites

Rub the mixture onto chigger or mosquito bites with a cotton ball or swab. It may slightly burn for a few seconds upon application so be sure to test it out on a small patch of skin first.

If using on someone with sensitive skin, try diluting with an equal part of water before use.

 

Rose Plantain and Yarrow in Basket on fresh plantain leaves

To Make With Dried Herbs

If you don’t have fresh herbs, this recipe can be made with dried herbs instead. Mountain Rose Herbs is my favorite source for dried organic herbs, but you may be able to find some locally too.

Place the dried herbs in a glass canning jar. Cover with the vinegar and stir. Pour witch hazel over the mixture until the jar is almost full, leaving room for the dried herbs to expand. Cover and infuse for 2 to 4 weeks then strain.

There we have it! One of my top remedies for chiggers and mosquito bites. For more bug bite remedy ideas, check out my article:

11+ Natural Remedies for Bug Bites

Rose Plantain Yarrow Itch Remedy
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7 Comments

  1. Hello The Nerdy Farm Wife,

    I’m impressed by your Rose Plantain & Yarrow Itch Remedy. Living in tropical Thailand I suffer from severe itchching due to the heat and I would very much like to try your recipe. Unfortunately I do not have access to the prescribed ingredients (except ACV). Can you kindly suggest a similar ready-made commercial product which I could buy online (like at eBay)?
    Thank you.
    Best regards.

    1. Hi Christian! I wish I knew a ready answer for that! What types of herbs or flowers do you have available? (Chamomile, calendula, comfrey, violet, anything like that?) It’s possible we can think of another vinegar infusion that might help!

  2. Pingback: Herbal First Aid Recipe Roundup – Floranella
  3. Hi, thank you for the recipe! Does it matter if you use ACV with the mother or without? Which one is better? Thank you.

    1. Hi Victoria! I use ACV without the mother. However, I know some DIYers prefer only using vinegar with the mother, so I think it’s probably a matter of personal preference. :)

    1. Hi Rose, That’s a great question! I need to update the article with that information.
      I just keep this stored on a shelf with other remedies, at room temperature.
      Infused herbal vinegars like this one generally have a shelf life of at least one year.
      (In contrast, if you infuse something like fresh berries for culinary use, then you’d keep that kind of infused vinegar in the fridge and use it within a couple months.)

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