Abraham Lincoln and Tom Hanks. Buffalo Bill and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Calendula and dandelion. <<– It’s not uncommon for notable pairs to run in families. Sometimes the resemblance is obvious – for example, Clint Eastwood and John Wayne are related – but sometimes it’s not . . . at least at first.
Although they both belong to the Asteraceae family, calendula is more well-known for its skincare benefits while dandelion is better known for its detoxification, digestive, and hormone balancing benefits.
I call this homemade calendula salve my #allthethings balm because it can be used as a face moisturizer, chapped-lip balm, baby bottom balm, owie salve, burn salve, bug bite balm, and more. But actually, dandelion also contains compounds that nourish and hydrate – making it perfect for a healing balm – and best of all dandelions can be found during the spring and summer just about everywhere . . . for FREE.
Benefits of Dandelion for Skin
Gathering dandelions is a perfect way to introduce kids to the joy of wildcrafting, or to experience it firsthand for the first time. In addition to their culinary uses (topping salads, making infused vinegars, etc), they also have properties that make them ideal for skincare.
Yep, these sunny yellow flowers are full of anti-inflammatory antioxidants, polyphenols, flavonoids and minerals that support and protect your cells, soothe skin irritations and nourish dry skin. (Ganora)
For example, this study found that both dandelion flower and leaf extracts protect against UVB-related photoaging and senescence (aging at the cellular level).
5 Ways To Use Dandelion Oil
Dandelion blossoms can be used as:
- First aid – For cuts, scrapes, burns, sunburns, bug bites and other minor skin irritations.
- Face and lip care – Infused dandelion oil is becoming more popular in skincare products, and can be used as a facial oil or in place of regular olive oil in this lip balm recipe.
- Diaper rash – I like to apply the oil – or a salve made from it, which I will be showing you how to make below – and then sprinkle some bentonite clay over the area.
- Dry or chapped skin – Dandelion oil is often used in gardening salves for this reason
- Sore muscle rub (If you want to include essential oils in a dandelion salve , black pepper, copiaba, and lavender are good choices for relaxing muscles)
Wondering if dandelion oil or dandelion salve is best for you? The main difference between the two is that dandelion oil is a liquid, while the salve is semi-solid and therefore easier to carry in a purse or diaper bag.
How To Make Dandelion Oil
Ingredients
- 2 cups freshly picked dandelion blossoms
- 1 cup carrier oil – I use a 50/50 blend of jojoba oil and olive oil, but you could also use another oil such as avocado, apricot kernel, or tamanu
Special Equipment
- Slow cooker with “warm” setting
- Turkey baster (optional)
Instructions
On a dry, sunny day, pick 2 cups of dandelion blossoms (just the flower part – leave the stem and roots behind) from an area that has not been sprayed with pesticides. Lay dandelion blossoms on a clean towel for 12-24 hours to dry out. They may still have a little moisture after the drying period, which is why we’ll be using low heat to evaporate out any remaining water.
Once the dandelion blossoms have dried, place them in a 12 ounce clean jar and cover with a carrier oil. I used a 50/50 blend of jojoba oil and olive oil to make this year’s batch, but you could also use another oil such as avocado, apricot kernel, or tamanu. Make sure the blossoms are fully covered.
Cover the jar with a piece of cloth (like cheesecloth or a cut-up t-shirt) or a coffee filter and secure with a rubber band.
Place a kitchen towel in the bottom of your slow cooker and place your jars inside. Add enough water to cover about half the jar and set to the lowest setting (warm) for 12-24 hours, leaving the top uncovered. If you leave it on for 24 hours, you may want to check the water level about halfway through and replenish if needed.
After the 12-24 hour period, you can allow the blossoms to continue to infuse for up to a week, or you can strain the oil and use it right away. When you’re ready, strain the oil through cheesecloth or a fine mesh sieve and let the oil sit for several hours. If there is any water in the oil (from the dandelion blossoms) it will collect in the bottom of the jar.
If you have a turkey baster, use it to siphon the infused oil off the top, leaving the water behind. If you don’t have a turkey baster, carefully pour the oil off the top. Your dandelion oil is now ready to be used or made into a healing salve.
Store in a cool area for up to 12 months. (I store mine in the fridge.)
Safety Considerations
According to the Botanical Safety Handbook, dandelion is a Safety Class 1A herb – the safest rating possible. There are no known contraindications for pregnancy, nursing, or use with children.
As always, please check with your healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy.
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This article was medically reviewed by Madiha Saeed, MD, a board certified family physician. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
Sources for this article:
Ancestry.com. Tom Hanks Reveals Lincoln Connection. Retrieved from https://blogs.ancestry.com/cm/tom-hanks-reveals-lincoln-connection/
RootsWeb. The Ancestry of Overmire Tifft Richardson Bradford Reed. Retrieved from https://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=glencoe&id=I45&op=GET
Geni. Jonathan C. Parsons Ancestry. https://www.geni.com/people/Jonathan-Parsons/6000000003513610647
Ganora, Lisa. (2009) Herbal Constituents: Foundations of Phytochemistry
Michalun. M Varinia. (2014) Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary 4th Edition
Kiki
Learned something today, looking forward to trying this
Thanks Heather!
– Kiki
Melvina Roundy
Thanks so much for the ebook, and the recipes.
I’m always wanting to learn more about the health herbs and oils
Kristi
We certainly have enough dandelions to make this for the whole USA. Haha!
Definitely going to try this.
Kristy
Can I put the dandelion ina dehydrator?
Heather
Dandelions go to seed very quickly after they’re picked, so if you put them in the dehydrator as blossoms they are likely to turn into puffballs by the time you pull them out. It’s best just to let them air dry for 12-24 hours 🙂
Ronda Abrahamson
Maybe good with salt?!
Nancy Moffett
can you leave them dry longer?
Cyndi Muller
You can put them in a dehydrator, but I don’t recommend longer than 30 minutes. Dandelions are very fragile when they are completely dry. They won’t turn into white puff balls in the dehydrator, but they will fall apart if you look at them cross-eyed!
Anita
How long is dandelion oil good for? Love your tutorial
Heather
I would say at least six months when stored in the fridge, maybe a year 🙂
Terri
Hi there,
Just wondering if this might work for Contact dermitisis of the eye? I have a friend who has tried every medicine they offer and nothing has helped. I’ve convinced her to try something natural so I’m on the hunt for her something when I read today’s article.
Thanks for time
Ivonne
Would you wash them first? My backyard ones seem to little bugs on them when they are picked.
Cyndi
A soak in salted water will kill any little bugs. Then a good rinse in clear water to remove the residual salt. Air dry for 24 hours and proceed!
nazish
Hi,
Can I make this with dry dandelion tea that contains leaves, stems and flowers?
Thanks!
Connie Hickman
Can I use coconut oil as the carrier oil if I melt it in the crock pot before adding the dandelions? Would the coconut oil affect the effectiveness or the benefits of the dandelions? Thank you.
Heather
Was going to ask the same question. I used coconut oil a lot too.
Lea
Heather I am wondering the same?
Heather
Coconut oil is fine to use as long as it is melted 🙂
Cyndi
Interesting factoid: Monks used to infuse rose petals between thin layers of lard to obtain their essence!
If using solid coconut oil, you will need to adjust the amount of beeswax used (or be able to leave it out altogether), unless you are using the fractionated (liquid) coconut oil.
Heide Horeth
I make Golden Syrup with dandelions…it’s delicious and honey like in taste. I am looking forward to making this oil and wondered if part coconut or only coconut oil would work as the misture would solidify upon cooling making it easier to use?
Thanks!
Heather
You could definitely use coconut oil as long as you melted it before adding the blossoms.
Kate
Any suggestions on the steeping part for those with no slow cooker? Thanks.
Heather
Traditionally, the method would be to simply infuse dried blossoms in oil for several months, shaking occasionally. However, I would not recommend that method with dandelion blossoms because they can only be used fresh (dandelion blossoms go to seed if you try to dry them, turning into puffballs) and contain water. Heat is needed to make sure the water evaporates during the infusion process – otherwise the oil will go bad quickly.
Cyndi
Kate, You can set up a ‘double boiler’ of sorts using a small pot that has sides deep enough to place a folded washcloth on the bottom and your jar of oil & dandelions on top. The washcloth protects the jar from being in contact directly with the heat. Put enough water in the pot so it reaches the level of the oil in your jar. Allow the water to come to a slow simmer & simmer for about an hour.
Yvonne
Thank you for your helpful response Cyndi as I was wondering how to make this oil (I donot have a slow cooker) Looking forward to making this salve!
Thank you again
Yvonne
Heather
Hi Heather!
Love the article and excited to receive your newsletter. I tried to download your free kitchen remedy e-book. Is there any way you can email it to me?
Sincerely,
Heather
Tarina
“If you have a turkey baster, use it to siphon the infused oil off the top, leaving the water behind. If you don’t have a turkey baster, carefully pour the oil off the top. Store in a cool area for up to 12 months. (I store mine in the fridge.)
Your dandelion oil is now ready to be used or made into a healing salve).”
Does that mean it is ready to use –after– the 12 months of cool storage?
or is it ready to use after you siphon off the infused oil and can be used for up to 12 months, but after 12 months it would no longer be effective?
Heather
Oh, thank you for catching that! The sentences should be reversed:
“If you have a turkey baster, use it to siphon the infused oil off the top, leaving the water behind. If you don’t have a turkey baster, carefully pour the oil off the top. Your dandelion oil is now ready to be used or made into a healing salve.
Store in a cool area for up to 12 months. (I store mine in the fridge.)”
Faie
Thank you so much!
Heather
We just made a batch and it smells horrible, like something was rotting in the kitchen. What could I have done wrong?
Katie
I was going to ask the same thing!! I followed the instructions here, and I’m currently straining out the flowers from my oil slowly through a sieve+ coffee filter and am terribly worried about the very strong dead flower smell. I see no moisture or mold but the draining flowers smell really terrible. ?I hope the oil isn’t ruined.
Heather
Hmmm, I’ve never had this happen so I can’t say for sure, but it sounds like maybe the heat was too high and the flowers were scorched.
Lea
Hi Heather,
How do you keep the dandelions from turning brown and smelling? I made some jelly and it turned very brown (from frozen flowers). Should it smell bad? LOL Thanks.
Heather
Hi Lea, I strain out the dandelions right after the infusion process is complete 🙂
Melissa Blyth
Thank you Heather for these recipes! Can you please send a recipe (or confirm) exactly how you would use this as a diaper balm? I am currently infusing (1 week in) the dandelion oil (solar-infusion method) and I would like to use the dandelion oil for diaper balm. Would you just substitute the dandelion oil in for the calendula oil in this recipe? https://mommypotamus.com/calendula-salve-recipe/
Thank you!
Heather
Hi Melissa! You can use this recipe for dandelion salve: https://mommypotamus.com/dandelion-salve-recipe/
Also, I recommend following up with this homemade baby powder after application when needed: https://mommypotamus.com/diy-natural-baby-powder-recipe/
Deborah Koerperich
Won’t the heat kill the medicinal properties of the dandelions? I let mine sit for 12 hours on warm and I got some dark brown liquid coming out of them. Is this normal? It doesn’t smell bad.
Heather
Hi Deborah, although heat can diminish some herbal properties, the popularity of hot herbal tea as a therapeutic remedy for thousands of years speaks to the fact that many constituents stay intact or are even drawn out by heat. However I’m not sure what to make of the brown liquid you described because my oil stayed a golden color. Did you dry the flowers for at least 12 hours before placing them in the oil?
Bekah
It has taken me a few days to collect 2 cups of blooms and now the bottom of some are starting to turn white… so here’s my question: when should they be thrown out? If the yellow petals are still visible at the top of the bloom is it still usable for the recipe? Thanks!!
Jana
Hi Heather, My oil has a cloudy layer on the bottom after settling in the fridge. I assume that this is just particulate left over from the flowers, but would you suggest using only the clear oil on top? I wonder if a lot of the good stuff is in the bottom and don’t want to waste it…
Krissy
i made a coconut oil and dandelion moisturizer. i want to make it again… can add things like rose petals, orange rind, other things as well?
Juliane
Hi! I love to hunt in our yard. Upon seeing your recipe, I have proceeded to collect 2 cups of fresh plantain leaves (and about 10 dandelion flower heads) and dried them all. What started out as 2 pans worth of drying vegetation turned out to be about 1/4 cup dried chopped leaves. I did not process the flowers as your article did not indicate that necessity. Now that I have the 1/4 cup dry (from 2 cups fresh), should I proceed with the full 1 cup of oil or lessen it? Could I continue to collect and leave what I have in a drying stasis until I get enough to create 2 cups dry? Thank you so much! PS the flowers are still a tad moist so I will wait for your answer in hopes that they dry out completely. Thank God for the inventor of the oven light! 🙂
Lani
Good morning! Today is the final day to make my dandelion oil. I made it with coconut oil, it smells really nice. I have a question: After you drain and squeeze out all the oil from the dandelions, what can you do with the remaining flowers that has been soaking in the oil? 🙂
Jamie
Thank you for this great information Heather! A neighbor told me about dandelion infused oil and I prepared some on the stove top and shared with a friend suffering with psoriasis that prescription meds had not helped. She was able to sleep through the night after using this and the areas healed quickly! I am SO excited to use the slow cooker method today! What a blessing to have these treasures on our property! When ‘harvesting’ them, I’ve noted abundant wasps/bees working hard on them 🙂 I leave them some! AND my husband knows not to even think about mowing without checking with me now! THANK YOU!!! Your information is always complete and well researched and appreciated!
Yvonne
Heather:
I have made your dandelion oil and love it…great for my sore neck instead of using commercial rubs on it…my question is: how do I keep the infused oil over the winter until there are fresh dandelions again? Or should I use a preservative in the rub? If so what do you recommend?
Also wondering about freezing or drying the clean dandelions for future use?
Thank you for your help.
Yvonne
Savannah
What if you leave the dandilions in the oil for longer than a week? I accidentally forgot about some oil I was infusing for like a month… should I just dump it out? It’s been in a mason jar with the metal lid on it. Thanks!