Many people think of the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) as a weed, but herbalists consider it a valuable herb with many culinary and medicinal uses. Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins, iron and potassium. Its leaves are often used to add flavour to salads, sandwiches, and teas. The roots can be found in some coffee substitutes, and the flowers are used to make certain wines.
This is a great introduction to making infused oils from your fresh herbs. Dandelion oil smells like summertime and is great for aching muscles and joints.
Time Required: 45 minutes, then 2 weeks (14 full days)
Here’s How:
When doing this process please follow directions precisely to prevent mold.
- Pick one glass container full of dandelion blossoms. (clean sterile Mason Jar)
- Pour olive oil or Fractionated Coconut oil over blossoms until they are fully covered. I prefer FCO because the shelf life is longer. If you want to ingest use Olive oil.
- Using a wooden handle of a wooden spoon kitchen utensil, or a chopstick, carefully poke the mixture to remove air bubbles.
- Cover glass container with a breathable lid, such as a coffee filter or woven cloth, held on with a rubber band.
- Place in sun to steep for a minimum of 3 days with coffee filter lid then place indoors in a cool dry dark space for additional days with mason jar lid for rest of the 11 days.
- Strain and keep in a cool, dark place.
What You Need:
- Glass container
- Mason Jar
- Rubber band
- Olive oil or FCO
- Dandelion flowers to fill your container of choice.
Ingestion is recommend 1 drop on the tongue per day as supplement. For joint and Muscle pain massage into area of pain one to two times daily.
Make a awesome salve:
1. Place the flowers in a quart sized jar and cover with olive oil cold press because no solvents in the process . Place the jar in a pot of water and gently heat for about 1 hour over medium heat.
2. Drain the oil into a clean jar, and you have dandelion infused oil!
3. To make your lotions, add 1 cup of this oil to 1 cup coconut oil and 1/4 cup beeswax. Melt together in a heatproof container placed in a pan of water, simmering on medium high heat.
4. When all melted, pour into a heat proof jar. 4 ounce glass jar. And, when cool, you will have an amazing salve!
Of course, you can make this even more versatile. When it’s starting to cool, add 20 drops of essential oils. Tea Tree oil and German Chamomile will make a salve for sore joints, citronella oil will make a salve to keep mosquitos at bay, lavender and peppermint mixed will make a relaxing foot salve or back of the neck salve for tension headaches.
