Hi friends! Have you heard all of the benefits that dandelions have to offer? They aren’t just a pesky weed that takes over your yard, they are super rich in beneficial nutrients and can be used in a variety of ways. Today, we are talking about making homemade dandelion-infused oil from foraged dandelions around the yard (or park or wherever). I love re-purposing common backyard weeds and transforming them into potent remedies.
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What is Dandelion?
Dandelion, scientifically known as Taraxacum officinale, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Europe and Asia, but now found worldwide. Recognizable by its bright yellow flowers and serrated leaves, dandelions are often considered garden nuisances. However, they have a rich history of culinary and medicinal use dating back centuries.
Historically, dandelions have been known for their culinary versatility. Ancient Romans and Greeks valued dandelion greens for their bitter flavor and used them in salads and cooked dishes. In medieval Europe, dandelion roots were roasted and ground as a coffee substitute when coffee was scarce or expensive. The French also cultivated dandelions for use in salads and wines, appreciating their unique flavor and nutritional value.
In addition to their culinary uses, dandelions have a long history of medicinal use in various cultures around the world. Traditional Chinese medicine utilizes dandelion to treat digestive issues, liver problems, and even inflammation. European herbalists prescribed dandelion preparations for ailments ranging from indigestion to skin disorders. Native American tribes brewed dandelion tea as a tonic for overall health and wellness.
Health Benefits of Dandelion
Dandelions are nutritional powerhouses, packed with anti-inflammatory properties. Dandelion is high in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium. They also contain potent antioxidants, including beta-carotene and polyphenols, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. Traditionally, dandelion has been used to support liver health, aid digestion, reduce inflammation, and even alleviate skin conditions like acne and eczema.
How to Make Dandelion Oil
Gather
Gather fresh dandelion flowers, ensuring they are free from pesticides and contaminants.
Wash and Dry
Wash and dry the blossoms thoroughly to remove any dirt or insects. To dry, you might leave them lying flat in a single layer on the counter for several days (place on a tea towel or paper towel). Otherwise, to speed up the process, you can use a dehydrated or your lowest oven setting or a dehydrator. You want to be sure they are thoroughly dried to avoid rancidity or mold in your infusion.
Choose Carrier Oil
Choose a carrier oil such as olive, almond, coconut, or jojoba oil for the infusion (or any other oil you like). Sweet almond is a great choice of oil as it’s non-comedogenic. Here is an article that I like to reference on comedogenic and non-comedogenic oils. If you are prone to skin irritations, have sensitive skin, or have acne-prone skin, you might want to experiment with some oils on a small area before making your infusion to be sure that the oil is going to interact well with your skin.
Infuse
Place the dried dandelions in a clean, dry glass jar and cover with the carrier oil. You want to fill up your jar to the top with dandelions, so choose a jar size that works with what you have (pint jar, quart jar, etc.). Fill with enough oil to cover all of the flowers. Be sure to press out any air bubbles.
Seal the clean jar tightly and place it in a sunny spot to infuse for 2-4 weeks, this is the traditional infusion method. If you want to speed the process up, you can place a double boiler over the stove and gently heat some water in the bottom. Place your jar of dandelions and oil in the double boiler and allow it to reach 100°F. Once reached, take the oil off of the stove and wrap it with a towel or place it in a cooler filled with hot water (or in my case, if you have a breadproofing box or yogurt maker, this can be a good option). You want to keep the oil at around 100°F for at least 24 hours (or 48 if possible). The warmth speeds up the process of infusion. I prefer the traditional, slow infusion method.
Timing is important here. You want the oil to infuse properly, but you don’t want it to go rancid. Leaving it in a sunny or warm spot for too long will cause your oil to go bad. Stick to the timelines above for the best results and label your jar!
Strain
Strain the infused oil through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the plant material. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, if preferred.
Store
Store the finished oil in a glass bottle in a cool, dark place to preserve its freshness and potency. The shelf life of the oil is around 1 year. If it starts to take on a funky smell, it’s likely gone rancid and should be discarded.
Tips for Making Dandelion Oil
- Harvest dandelions from areas free of chemical pesticides and pollutants.
- Experiment with different carrier oils to find the best match for your skin type and preferences.
- Be patient during the infusion process, allowing the oil to extract the maximum benefits from the dandelion blossoms.
- Store dandelion oil away from direct sunlight and heat to prevent oxidation and rancidity.
- Get creative by adding other herbs or botanicals to customize your dandelion-infused oil blend.
10 Ways to Use Dandelion Oil
- Skincare: Dandelion-infused oil is a natural moisturizer. It’s perfect for hydrating dry itchy skin and soothing irritation and can be used as a facial oil.
- Haircare: Massage dandelion oil into the scalp to nourish hair follicles and promote healthy hair growth.
- Muscle and Joint Relief: Dandelion oil is great for releasing muscle tissue tension and stiff joints, or soothing arthritis.
- Culinary Uses: Infuse olive oil with dandelion blossoms for a flavorful salad dressing or drizzle over roasted vegetables.
- Homemade Body Balm: Blend dandelion oil with beeswax, essential oils, or shea butter to create a healing balm for minor cuts, scrapes, and insect bites. Lip balms are another great option. Once you’ve made your dandelion flower oil, you can then make a homemade dandelion salve.
- Aromatherapy: Add a few drops of dandelion oil to your diffuser to create a calming atmosphere and promote relaxation.
- Baby Care: Use dandelion oil as a gentle massage oil for your little one or to soothe diaper rash.
- Tattoo Aftercare: Apply dandelion oil to newly inked skin to promote healing and prevent infection.
- Homemade Soaps and Candles: Incorporate dandelion oil into DIY soap or candle recipes for a natural fragrance and skin-nourishing properties.
- Pet Care: Massage dandelion oil into your pet’s skin to soothe irritations or add shine to their coat.
Interested in More Herbal Remedies?
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Ground Ivy: Health Benefits + Common Uses
Equipment
Instructions
- Gather fresh dandelion flowers, ensuring they are free from pesticides and contaminants.
- Wash and dry the blossoms thoroughly to remove any dirt or insects. To dry, you might leave them lying flat in a single layer on the counter for several days (place on a tea towel or paper towel). to speed up the process, you can use a dehydrated or your lowest oven setting for a quicker process. You want to be sure they are thoroughly dried to avoid rancidity or mold in your infusion.
- Choose a carrier oil such as olive, almond, or coconut oil for the infusion. I like to use sweet almond oil. Jojoba oil is another great choice of oil. Any carrier oil will do. Here is an article that I like to reference on comedogenic and non-comedogenic oils. If you are prone to skin irritations or have sensitive skin, you might want to experiment with some oils on a small area before making your infusion to be sure that the oil isn’t going to irritate your skin.
- Place the dried dandelions in a clean, dry glass jar and cover with the carrier oil. You want to fill up your jar to the top with dandelions, so choose a jar size that works with what you have (pint jar, quart jar, etc.). Fill with enough oil to cover all of the flowers. Be sure to press out any air bubbles.
- Seal the clean jar tightly and place it in a sunny spot to infuse for 2-4 weeks, shaking occasionally, this is the traditional infusion method. If you want to speed this process up, you can place a double boiler over the stove and gently heat some water in the bottom. Place your jar of dandelions and oil in the double boiler and allow it to reach 100°F. Once reached, take the oil off of the stove and wrap it with a towel or place it in a cooler filled with hot water (or in my case, if you have a breadproofing box or yogurt maker, this can also be a good option). You want to keep the oil at a temperature for about 24 hours (or 48 if you can). The warmth speeds up the process of infusion. I prefer the slow infusion method.
- Strain the infused oil through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the plant material. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, if preferred)
- Store the finished oil in a glass bottle in a cool, dark place to preserve its freshness and potency.
- The shelf life of the oil is around 1 year. If it starts to take on a funky smell, it’s likely gone rancid and should be discarded
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