So do we. And in our quest to remain as self-sufficient as possible we try to learn new skills along the way as well. Personal care products and household cleaners are two ways to not only be self-sufficient but also know the ingredients you are using. Keep this salve in mind, because once Spring arrives, the one thing we will all see more of is Dandelions! But in truth, that is a good thing! Dandelions mean that now is the time to think about making your own homemade Dandelion Salve.
Just about everywhere you look you will see Dandelions. In past years everyone thought about getting rid of all the Dandelions in their yards. But now more and more folks want to use them in one way or another. And for good reason, they have so many uses! Think of Dandelions as the crop you want, but don't have to plant. Also while the bees do rely upon them, they are not the only food the bees feast upon. But to be safe remember to leave a large percentage of Dandelions in the fields where you harvest, for continued crops in the future. For you and the Bees!
A two step process, but each one is quite easy.
There are two parts to making Dandelion Salve. The first step is harvesting the flower tops and making the infused oil. The second step is actually making the salve. So let's start at the beginning. First, you will need to gather (harvest) the flowers. During harvesting I try to snap the stem in two right below the flower and as accurate as I try to be, I usually need to trim some stems when I get home. Since you only want the want the flower top, once the stems are removed it is time for a quick cool water bath.
The goal is to wash off any dust and possibly small critters that may have made that Dandelion their home! It is quite easy, fill a sink with cool water, drop in the flowers, and swish, swish, swish. When you are fairly certain that the Dandelions are clean, scoop the flower tops from the water, leaving behind the dirt and small critters. Spread the drained flowers out on a towel, roll up gently and let the toweling absorb the excess water. Let the flowers rest in the rolled-up towel for about an hour.
From there, unroll the towel on a counter, spreading the flowers out evenly over the towel. Let the flowers dry completely. You want the flowers to be clean and completely dry, with no water from the cleaning process, left behind. The dandelion flower may shrivel, but that is okay, and does not interfere with the process. The dry flowers will be used to make Dandelion infused oil. Which is one of the ingredients needed to make Dandelion Salve.
Infused oil is easy, but it does require shelf time to complete.
It is very easy to make Dandelion infused oil. When the Dandelions are dry, place them into a glass jar, lightly packing them down, without crushing, and cover with olive oil. Cap and set aside in a cool, dark, spot to rest for about 3 weeks, or until ready. You will know the oil is ready because the oil will be the color of dandelion flower petals and the flowers themselves will be very dark in color and shriveled close. Pour the oil and the flowers into a mesh sieve, let drain over a large bowl or measure cup.
You now have dandelion-infused oil. And are ready to make Dandelion Salve.
This recipe for Dandelion Salve uses parts in place of standard measuring cups, measurements. All you need is to do is decide on the size of the vessel or measurement you will use for each "part". The great thing about a "parts" recipe is that no matter how little you have of one of the ingredients, you can still make the recipe. And for large batches, you might choose to use a gallon bucket as your measuring device. Keep in mind for a "parts" recipe, it will be a multiple of that amount, for each part. For this jar of Dandelion Salve, I used a 1/4 cup measurement, for each part.
Ingredients needed for this project:
Dandelion Salve
adapted from: many different recipes and a touch of folklore
2 parts Dandelion infused oil
1 part coconut oil
1 part beeswax pellets
1 or 2 drops of orange or lavender oil - if desired -note: I did not use any essential oils, the natural aroma is quite pleasant.
Gently heat the infused oil, coconut oil, and beeswax over very hot (but not boiling) water, a Pyrex measuring cup sitting in a pan of hot water works well.
NOTE: The wax pellets will be the last ingredient to melt.
When the wax pellets have melted, remove the saucepan from the heat, let cool slightly.
Keep this handy, there is lots of yard work and summer fun coming along!
You now have dandelion-infused oil. And are ready to make Dandelion Salve.
This recipe for Dandelion Salve uses parts in place of standard measuring cups, measurements. All you need is to do is decide on the size of the vessel or measurement you will use for each "part". The great thing about a "parts" recipe is that no matter how little you have of one of the ingredients, you can still make the recipe. And for large batches, you might choose to use a gallon bucket as your measuring device. Keep in mind for a "parts" recipe, it will be a multiple of that amount, for each part. For this jar of Dandelion Salve, I used a 1/4 cup measurement, for each part.
Ingredients needed for this project:
- infused dandelion oil
- coconut oil
- beeswax pellets
- essential oil
You will also need the following:
- small jar with a tight-fitting lid
- glass measuring cup
- small saucepan
- wire mesh strainer
- medium-sized jar with a lid
Now we are ready to begin!
Dandelion Salve
adapted from: many different recipes and a touch of folklore
UPDATED: 01.20.2024
1 part coconut oil
1 part beeswax pellets
1 or 2 drops of orange or lavender oil - if desired -note: I did not use any essential oils, the natural aroma is quite pleasant.
Gently heat the infused oil, coconut oil, and beeswax over very hot (but not boiling) water, a Pyrex measuring cup sitting in a pan of hot water works well.
NOTE: The wax pellets will be the last ingredient to melt.
When the wax pellets have melted, remove the saucepan from the heat, let cool slightly.
Add the scented oil if used.
Carefully pour into a storage jar, let cool completely. Cover, label, and use.
In our household, this salve is used for sore muscles, dry skin, etc.
Plus it is great for dry feet and the prevention of athlete's foot itch, and yes that applies to the ladies also!
Keep this handy, there is lots of yard work and summer fun coming along!
Storage options for Dandelion Salve. Keep covered in a dark cool place, and use within one year.
UPDATE: For your convenience, a "copy and paste" version of How to Make Dandelion Salve has been included below.
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Printable "copy and paste" version:
First things first, make infused oil:
It is very easy to make Dandelion infused oil. When the Dandelions are dry, place them into a glass jar, lightly pack them down, without crushing, and cover with olive oil. Cap and set aside in a cool, dark, spot to rest for about 3 weeks, or until ready. You will know the oil is ready because the oil will be the color of dandelions and the flowers themselves will be dark and shriveled. Pour the oil and the flowers into a mesh sieve, let drain over a large bowl or measure cup.
Dandelion Salve
adapted from: many different recipes and a touch of folklore
2 parts Dandelion infused oil
1 part coconut oil
1 part beeswax pellets
1 or 2 drops of orange or lavender oil - if desired -note: I did not use any essential oils, the natural aroma is quite pleasant.
Gently heat the infused oil, coconut oil, and beeswax over very hot (but not boiling) water, a pyrex measuring cup sitting in a pan of hot water works well.
adapted from: many different recipes and a touch of folklore
2 parts Dandelion infused oil
1 part coconut oil
1 part beeswax pellets
1 or 2 drops of orange or lavender oil - if desired -note: I did not use any essential oils, the natural aroma is quite pleasant.
Gently heat the infused oil, coconut oil, and beeswax over very hot (but not boiling) water, a pyrex measuring cup sitting in a pan of hot water works well.
NOTE: The wax pellets will be the last ingredient to melt.
When the wax pellets have melted, remove the saucepan from the heat, let cool slightly.
Add the scented oil if used.
Carefully pour into a storage jar, let cool completely. Cover, label, and use.
In our household, this salve is used for sore muscles, dry skin, etc.
Plus it is great for dry feet and the prevention of athlete's foot itch, and yes that applies to the ladies also!
Keep this handy, there is lots of yard work and summer fun coming along!
Storage options for Dandelion Salve. Keep covered in a dark cool place, and use within one year.
~~~~
Such a a good recipe to have!! Thanks so much for linking up with me at A Themed Linkup 48 for Crafts and DIY. Pinned!
ReplyDeleteThank you Dee, I appreciate sharing with your fun linkups! Have a great week ahead, take care.
DeleteCONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at A Themed Linkup 49 for All Things Crochet from my previous linkup for Crafts and DIY.
ReplyDeleteDee, thanks so much!
DeleteGood recipe to have - thank you!
ReplyDeleteSusan, thanks for stopping by!
DeleteMy mom cooked dandelion greens when I was a kid but I had never heard of this.
ReplyDeleteI have a recipe for Dandelion Noodles (much like spinach noodles!) waiting for my attention, but this is great stuff to have around! Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.
DeleteThat is so interesting! I’ve never heard of this before now.
ReplyDeleteIt is one of our favorites!
DeleteThis is a great idea! My Dad used to make dandelion wine and we'd also have dandelion leaf salads. My Dad used to stay dandelion is good for the kidneys. I'm not sure if that's accurate though, I haven't looked it up.
ReplyDeleteVisiting today from SSPS 277 #56&57
The more I read about this yellow gem, the more I want to use it in our lives. Paula, thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.
DeleteThanks for sharing this, I used to spray dandelions out of my garden, I will never look at them the same way. Visiting from the #SSPS 277 @7, 8 & 9. Thanks for sharing with us ~ Julie Syl
ReplyDeleteJulie, you are welcome!
DeleteMelynda,
ReplyDeleteWell now isn't this interesting!! May have to give it a go!! Thanks so much for stopping by!! I hope you have a great weekend!!
Hugs,
Deb
Thanks Deb! I appreciate your stopping by!
DeleteA nice use for dandelion flowers. I have made a salve similar to this using calendula flowers. SSPS #48
ReplyDeleteCarol I have heard great things about Calendula, I will have to give that a try. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.
Delete