Homemade Dandelion Salve
Learning how to make dandelion salve is a lot of fun. The bright yellow flowers are considered a weed by some – but they are powerful medicine. You can use those flowers to make a simple natural remedy that is great for irritated, dry skin. Whether you are experienced in creating your own products or new to the craft, you can make this healing salve with dandelion flowers.
While making salves or balms may seem rather intimidating, it really is not. It is one of the most popular ways to use beeswax and you are creating products you can actually use.
Benefits of Healing Dandelion Salve
Why would you want to make and use dandelion salve? First, dandelion plants are one of the most useful plants in herbal remedies. The flowers contain compounds that soothe and nourish the skin.
It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that are beneficial irritated skin from a rash, dryness or even minor wounds. (Similar to my recipe for Plantain Salve!).
Materials
You only need a few items to make homemade dandelion salve.
- oil infused with dandelion essence (flowers and olive oil)
- beeswax
- coconut oil
- essential oils of choice (optional)
- vitamin e oil (optional)
This recipe consists of two parts. First you will make the infused dandelion oil. Then, you are ready to make the finished salve.
Beeswax
Beeswax is good for your skin and it makes a great base for salves and balms. The color of beeswax to use in this recipe is not really important – but I would not use dark wax. Blocks, bars or pastilles are all fine – just be sure the wax is clean.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil have skin soothing properties too. However, its consistency makes it a favorite for my dandelion salve recipe. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature and this helps you get the proper consistency for your salve.
Essential Oils
The use of essential oils is optional. But, I like to use tea tree essential oil in this recipe. It has antiseptic properties that can help cleanse the skin and prevent infection. And, I like the refreshing scent. However, it is potent so only use a little.
Dandelion Infused Oil
Let’s put those flowers to good use and make some infused dandelion oil. Once the oil is infused with all the goodness of the flowers, it can be used in many home remedies and for other natural healing salves.
The best news, making infused dandelion oil is super easy. You simply gather flowers, and submerge them in a container of oil for a specified time – or at a specific temperature.
The warm oil draws out some of the flower oils and herbal properties. There are two ways to make infused oil. The slow way and the faster way – both work.
Infused Dandelion oil is often used in massage. Also, it is credited with having pain relieving properties and the ability to relax muscles. Yes, you may have an herbal powerhouse growing in your back yard.
How to Infuse Oil with Dandelion Flowers
- Gather open fresh dandelion flowers from a location away from roads or chemical sprays. Just pop off the yellow top – a pint jar full works well for me.
- Spread the dandelion flower heads out in a single layer on a paper towel for a day or two to dry out a bit. This step is important to reduce the water content. If the flowers are still very moist, they might mold during infusion. However, just a day or two should removed an excess moisture.
- Slow Method – Put flowers back into the jar and add enough olive oil olive to just cover them when pressed lightly down- add lid. (Let jar sit in a sunny Window for a few weeks – occasionally inverting the jar.)
- Faster Method – After the flowers dry a day or so, add them to the top section of a small double boiler. Add enough olive oil to just cover the flowers. A few inches of water in the bottom section of the double boiler provides gentle heat. Let mixture simmer for a 30 minute then leave flowers in oil to cool. Stir gently.
- For either approach- use a strainer to strain out the oil from flower parts – into a clean glass jar. Seal with a lid.
Making Dandelion Salve
Now that our infused oil is ready – it is time to whip up a batch of salve.
1. Begin by safely melting your beeswax. I use a simple double boiler method – the safest way. Go slow, it takes a bit to melt.
2. Once the wax is liquid, add the measured infused dandelion oil (measurements in recipe at bottom of page) and the coconut oil. Don’t fret if the beeswax seems to solidify a bit – it will soon remelt. Stir to combine.
3. Once all materials are mixed well, remove the pot from the heat. Drip in the desired number of tea tree oil drops (or your favorite oil). Now is the time to add optional Vitamin E oil if you wish.
4. While the mixture is still liquid, pour into a heat safe container. Let cool until the salve is set. Add a lid and a label.
How to Use
What is dandelion salve good for? There are several ways you can use it. Apply a light coat on chapped lips, itchy skin, arthritic joint aches or sprained ankles etc.
Use on dry knees and elbows when the skin feels rough. It also soothes cracked heels (though I do prefer my beeswax cracked heel balm for that purpose.)
Storage
How long will dandelion salve last? Oils that have been infused with dandelion blossoms have a shelf life of at least a year.
Of course, the actual time will depend in part on the oils used for the base. I use coconut oil for my base and it should be good for about 1 year.
Benefits of Dandelions
No one can deny that dandelions feed bees and their flowers are a cheerful site. Dandelions are one of the first early season weeds that bees love.
Some have shown the possible benefits of consuming dandelions. In fact, all parts of the plant including leaves, flowers, stems and roots are used in herbal medicine.
More Ideas
Now that you see how easy it is, maybe you want to expand your stock of homemade salves? Try making some Calendula salve. It is a great remedy for rashes and scrapes.
Another salve I like to keep on hand is my Honey and aloe burn salve. It is wonderful for soothing the skin of minor burns.
If you plan to be outside a lot during the warm months, this natural bug bite relief stick recipe uses beeswax and essential oils to aid relief.
One of the best features of this dandelion salve recipe is it’s simplicity. With a few inexpensive ingredients and a little patience – you will find the salve making process is very easy.
Making your own health and beauty products is a great way to save money. Even more importantly, when you create them-you know what is in them – and what is not!
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Dandelion Salve Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Read my Disclosure.Supplies
- 1 cup dandelion infused oil (directions in post)
- 1 oz beeswax
- 2 oz coconut oil
- 30 drops tea tree essential oil (or your choice)
- 4 drops vitamin E oil (optional)
- 1 piece jelly jar or similar
Instructions
- Melt beeswax. Because beeswax is a firm, begin by melting your wax. Yes, you can use a microwave but if you do. Melt in small time increments and do not overheat.The safest way is to melt beeswax with a double boiler. I love my little insert for wax melting. Beeswax pellets are okay to use if you do not have access to raw wax.
- Add the infused dandelion oil (directions to make in post) and coconut oil to your melted beeswax. The cooler oil may make the beeswax begin to harden. If so, that’s okay – just put the pot back over the heat again for a few seconds.
- Add essential oils. Remove ingredients from heat and let cool just a minute. Add 30 drops of essential oil to the mixture. I used Tea Tree Oil due to its soothing properties for skin – but you can use other varieties if you desire.
- Immediately pour your salve recipe in to suitable containers. You can use small jelly jars, tins or any container that is heat safe and has a lid.
- Cool to set. Allow your containers of salve to cool for an hour or so. The beeswax in the recipe will cause the salve to harden. Once it does – the product is ready to use.
- Don't forget the label. If your homemade dandelion salve is for home use, a simple label is sufficient. However, do be use to label it in some way or you will be sorry later. If you want to give some away as gifts, a cute label is essential! Here is a free printable label to get you started.
Notes
*As with any product, allergies do exist. These instructions are provided for entertainment only, consult your physician for guidance on using homemade products. I am not a medical professional. The information has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.