Rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidants, polyphenols and flavonoids, a close cousin to the famous skincare ingredient – calendula – is gaining a reputation of its own.

Though the therapeutic properties of dandelion are often most closely associated with roasted dandelion root tea, the entire plant is chock-full of beneficial components.

Both dandelion flower and leaf extracts, for example, protect against UVB-related photoaging and senescence (aging at the cellular level). (1) This is likely due to the high antioxidant content, which helps counteract free radicals.

Though dandelion-infused oil can be used directly on skin, many people prefer to thicken it into a salve that’s both portable and deeply moisturizing. The easy dandelion salve recipe below soothes skin irritations while nourishing dry skin, making it an all-purpose healing balm that’s perfect for use as a:

face moisturizer
chapped-lip balm
owie salve
bug bite balm
burn salve
diaper rash balm
gardening salve
balm for rough elbows and cracked heels

Essential Oils That Complement Dandelion

For an all-purpose healing balm, I like to use kid-safe essential oils like lavender, frankincense, chamomile and tea tree.

For a relaxing muscle rub, black pepper, copiaba, and lavender essential oil are good choices, too.

Dandelion Salve Recipe - Rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidants, polyphenols and flavonoids, this dandelion salve works beautifully as an all-purpose healing balm for cuts, scrapes, burns, bug bites, chapped skin and more.

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Homemade Dandelion Salve Recipe (Healing Salve)

Rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidants, polyphenols and flavonoids, this nourishing DIY dandelion salve works beautifully as an all-purpose healing balm for cuts, scrapes, burns, bug bites, chapped skin, sore muscles and more.

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 8

Total Time 10

Calories

Author Heather Dessinger

Ingredients

4 ounces dandelion oil (By weight)
½ ounce organic beeswax pellets (By weight. About 2 tablespoons)
25-50 drops essential oil, optional (As mentioned above, lavender, frankincense, chamomile and tea tree are good choices for an all-purpose healing balm, and black pepper, copiaba, and lavender essential oil are good choices for a relaxing muscle rub)

Instructions

Gently heat the beeswax in a double boiler. (If you don’t have a double boiler you can use a stainless steel bowl set inside a pot of boiling water.)
When the beeswax is melted, add in the dandelion oil. Allow it to warm up for 30-60 seconds, then stir until the beeswax and oil are thoroughly mixed, then remove from heat and stir in essential oils if using.
Pour your salve into a clean, dry container or glass jar and allow to cool – I used three of these 2 ounce tins. Now you’re ready for the next bug attack, bee sting, scrape, etc.

Notes

Shelf Life: Water-based products often use preservatives (sometimes natural ones) because they are prone to mold/spoilage, but in general oil-based products don’t have the same issue. With that said, when carrier oils become oxidized (change chemical structure due to exposure to oxygen, heat, or light), they can cause skin irritation instead of soothing it.

So when it comes to shelf life, I think in terms of how long a blend is likely to stay truly fresh. The shelf life of herb infused oils is mostly determined by the shelf life of the carrier oil that was used and storage conditions. Olive oil tends to have a shelf life of 1-2 years provided it is stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.

An antioxidant such as vitamin E can be added to protect oils from early oxidation. I use 1/2 teaspoon of vitamin E tocotrienols per 1 cup of oil.

With that said, if you add in essential oils the shelf life may vary more. Although they don’t mold or expire, essential oils can also oxidize. If you’re adding essential oils into your salve, I recommend using it within six months.

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.

Want more research-backed natural remedies?

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Sources

1. Yafan Yang and Shuangshuang Li (2015) Dandelion Extracts Protect Human Skin Fibroblasts from UVB Damage and Cellular Senescence

How To Make Dandelion Salve (Healing Balm Recipe)