About 6 weeks ago I picked Dandelions like crazy! I knew every part of them could be devoured or used in some way, but had to look up how to use them.
-The flowers can be used in muffins, cakes, and other bread products.
-The roots can be used for teas.
-They can be used to make jellies, jams and syrups.
-The flowers can be used for making salve.
What you Need to Make Infused Dandelion Oil and Dandelion Salve:
- 4 Cups Dandelion Flowers
- A Colander
- A Full Body Towel
- 16 Ounces of Olive Oil
- 2 Ounces of Coconut Oil
- 2 Ounces of Bees Wax
- 15 Drops of Essential Oil (Whatever Scent You Like)
- 1 Large Mason Jar
- 1 Medium Bowl, or 4 Cup Measurer
- 1 Medium Pot, or Double Boiler
- 1 or 2 Containers With Lids for the Salve
- Small Wire Mesh
Pick, Pick, Pick:
Start out by picking 4 cups of Dandelion flowers.
Wash them, and get the water out as much as you can. I used a colander.
Dry them on a flat body towel, for 2 to 3 days. They will look what I call "tired" by the 3rd day.
Place them in a large mason jar, and pour 16 ounces of Olive Oil on top.
I used this Olive Oil, but you can use any for this. It's for a salve, so it's not consumed.
Stick a lid on it, and set it out of the sun for 5 to 6 weeks. I wasn't in a hurry, so I did this slower method.
Heat up a small amount of water in a pot, and put the jar of mostly dried Dandelion flowers with the Olive Oil inside the pan. You'll heat the pot to medium. Turn the heat off, once the water is heated up - not boiling. Let the water cool! Set the jar out of the sun for a week or 2.
This is What it Looks Like After it's had Infusion Time:
Strain:
I used a 4 cup measurer, but you can use a bowl for this next part. Put a wire mesh on top, and pour your infused Dandelion Oil into it. You will need to push it down with the back of a spoon, or your fingers. It will be sludgy. If you are using your fingers, it will get messy. Put the sledge in the compost, or in your trash.
The Infused Oil is Actually Pretty:
Time to Make Dandelion Salve
Heat Things Up:
I used a double boiler, but you can you just a medium pot if you don't have a double boiler. Put a small amount water in the medium pot, or the bottom pot if you are using a double boiler. Turn the heat on to medium.
Add a smaller pot the fits inside the medium pot if you're not using a double boiler.
Add 2 ounces of Coconut Oil to the smaller pot, or top of the double boiler. Melt it all the way. Then add 2 ounces of Beeswax. Stir it until it's melted.
Stir:
It will start to look funky during this process. You haven't done anything wrong. Just keep stirring, and let it melt. It reminded me looks wise like Egg Drop Soup. Don't drink it. Ha!
You are waiting for it to melt down. Not to boil.
Add the 10 to 15 Drops of Essential Oils:
I put in 10 of Peppermint Oil, and 5 of Lavender Oil. Stir it some more.
Time to Dump it:
I used a small, wide mason jar. You want something you can get your fingers in. I had more, so I also used a travel size plastic container that once had a Grape Fruit Body Scrub in it.
Full Dandelion Salve:
Travel Size of Dandelion Salve:
Let it be!
It will set up. I went to the store, came back it it was set up.
Full Dandelion Salve:
Travel Size of Dandelion Salve:
Put lids on them, and you are done!
Travis has been working hard outside, so I gave him a back message with this salve. It worked great! You can also use it for your hands, legs, feet. It both moisturizes and gets in those sore muscles.
We have enough to last awhile. If we go on any trips, we have a travel sized container to take with us.
Disclaimer: This is not a post where I reviewed any products. All opinions, and photos are my own.
