We’re only about a month into our gardening season here in Montana and already my hands are dry and chapped. I’ve been using a variety of lotions and skin creams to replenish the moisture in the rough skin on my hands but have had little success in finding a lasting solution. I decided to create my own skin nourishing dandelion salve. This stuff is simply amazing! It is easy to make, low cost and leaves my hands feeling soft and nourished for hours. I’ve also used dandelion salve and infused oil on my achy lower back after a long day of gardening and it helps soothe my sore muscles. The best part? I was able to use a little beeswax from our new honey bees!
I’ve read quite a few articles this spring about foraging and eating dandelions. One article I read listed the health benefits from the various parts of a dandelion plant. I was intrigued that the flowers have pain relieving properties and can also be used as a massage oil. I started making infused oils a few years ago but had never tried dandelion infused oil. We have plenty of dandelions around our property so foraging would be easy.
There are a lot of recipes floating around the internet for homemade balms, salves and lotions. My frustration with a lot of them is that they include a lot of ingredients I don’t have on hand. I’ve almost invested in some of these products but couldn’t ever bite the bullet and do it. Often these products can be expensive and not something I’ll use often enough to make the investment. What I love about this recipe I created is that it includes some pretty simple ingredients that most people already have at home or can purchase for a low cost. Making and using all natural skin care products doesn’t have to be expensive!
Making Dandelion Infused Oil
Making infused oils is fairly simple. To make dandelion infused oil, you need to harvest a bunch of dandelion flower heads. I cut them off the stem as high as I could to minimize the amount of green foliage being harvested. I wasn’t quite sure how many to harvest, so I filled a large bowl. This ended up being about four cups of fresh dandelion heads.
I read several different articles about making dandelion infused oil and one thing everyone mentioned was being mindful of the high water content in dandelion flowers. To minimize getting a bunch of icky sludge in your infused oil, dry the flower heads out for a day or two. I spread them out on a cloth inside a cardboard box lid and sat them on top of our chest freezer for two days.
Once the dandelion flowers have dried a bit, pack them into a glass jar. I used a pint size canning jar and had just enough space for all the flowers. Next pour olive oil into the jar. Make sure the dandelion flowers are all completely covered with oil. Place a lid on the jar.
There are two ways to infuse oil. The way I first learned several years ago was the slow infusion method that I learned from this amazing book. This method requires sitting the jar of oil out of direct sunlight for four to six weeks. If you want a speedier process, you can heat the oil in a jar on the stove. I opted for this method since I was anxious to make some salve and heal my dried out skin.
I put a small pot on the stove with a few inches of water in the bottom. Then I sat the glass jar of oil and flower heads in the pan and turned it on medium. Once the water heated up but not boiling, I turned it off and let the jar sit in the pan of water until it all cooled off. Then I put the jar in the cupboard to continue infusing.
My jar infused for well over a week. This was mainly because I was so busy working in the garden I didn’t have time to make the salve! The infused oil could actually be used after two or three days. After it is done infusing, strain the flowers from the oil. I use a small fine mesh sieve and press the flowers down into the sieve to press out as much oil as I can. Compost your flowers and the infused oil is now ready to use!
Making Dandelion Salve
Making salve is an easy project if you have the supplies handy. I have a lot of the supplies on hand since I’ve been making homemade lip balm and selling it in our Etsy shop for the last couple years. This recipe will make a large batch (a little less than 1.5 cups). If you want a smaller batch, reduce the quantities but keep the proportions the same.
This salve can feel a bit greasy when you first put it on. I’ve found that after 15-20 minutes the greasiness goes away and my hands just feel so soft. I put a generous scoop of dandelion salve on my hands before I go to bed and just love how soft my skin feels when I wake up!
Supplies:
-16 oz of infused dandelion oil
-2 oz coconut oil (this is the kind we use)
-2 oz of beeswax (We render our own beeswax to use and sell it in our Etsy shop here)
-OPTIONAL: 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil (or whatever scent you prefer!)
Step 1:
Place the beeswax and coconut oil in a glass jar or measuring cup. Sit a pan on the stove with several inches of water in it. Sit the glass jar down in the pan and heat on low/medium.
Step 2:
Once the beeswax and coconut oil are melted, carefully stir in the infused dandelion oil. Our house was cool when I made this, so when I poured the dandelion oil in some of the wax started hardening up. If this happens for you, keep heating the mixture until it is all melted again.
Step 3:
Add in essential oil if you prefer and stir well. The dandelion oil does have a dandelion scent but I I love the scent of lavender so chose to use this essential oil as an added scent.
Step 4:
Carefully remove the glass jar from the pan. I wanted one big jar of dandelion salve so the jar I mixed it in was the jar I let it cool off in. If you want smaller containers of salve, pour the mixture into smaller containers. Allow the salve to cool.
This dandelion salve has a firm consistency. Since there is coconut oil in it, as soon as you scoop some into your hands it softens and melts. This creates an easy to spread salve. I started out using this just on my hands but then started using it for rough, cracked skin on my feet. I also use it to nourish dry skin on my arms and legs.
After making a big batch of dandelion salve, I had some dandelion infused oil left over. Since the infused oil is to help with pain relief, I filled an empty amber glass bottle to use for massage oil. When we have aches and pains in our back or feet, I can use this massage oil to naturally help with pain relief.
After spending the whole day transplanting seedlings into the garden on Saturday, my lower back was so achy I could hardly walk. I rubbed dandelion infused oil on my lower back and felt some relief. It didn’t make all the aches and pains go away, but it did lessen the pain. Whoever said dandelions are weeds and should be destroyed must never have tried a dandelion salve or massage oil. This stuff is amazing!
Do you love dandelions and want to find more ways to use them? Check out our other dandelion posts:
What do you like to make with dandelions?
I have only made jelly from the petals & fritters from the full heads. Am now anxious to make the salve. Thank you for the recipe
I’ve never heard of dandelion jelly, I think that is something I will have to try!
Can you add other EO that have pain relief property in them to the salve?
I would assume yes but quantity might be experimental still
Lavender essential oil has actually had studies done that show it can relieve pain as well as some over-the-counter pain medications. So, it’s not a bad choice to use!
It is delicious! Tastes like sunshine! I made dandelion syrup too. And violet syrup that was good too!
Hi, Can you tell me exactly which Olive oil that you use? Thank you
What a great idea!
Thanks for stopping by Kylie!
I let my dandelions dry to long and now they are fuzzy. Can I still use them?
Yes! Just combine with other heads and mix in the oil of choice and let infuse, then strain and use.
This is wonderful! We used dandelion-infused oil to make lotion bars yesterday, and I think I may try this today with the leftover oil… xo
Dandelion lotion bars sound wonderful, I might have to try making those too!
How do you make the lotion bars?
How do you make lotion bars?
Love this! I’m beginning to have an obsession with dandelions. 🙂
I have a growing obsession with them too! It is amazing just how many uses there are for something a lot of people view as a weed!
thank you so much for sharing your recipes!!! Gonna try that for sure!!!!
Thanks for stopping by Annie! Hopefully you get a chance to make some of this, it really is amazing!
This recipe sounds awesome, thanks!
I found a similar method last year, but you make it much easier. I’ll be doing this ASAP! 🙂
I love dandelion salve! It is beautiful, easy, and great for aches and pains.
Great information! I’ve never tried infusing dandelions before. I use plantain and calendula infused oil all the time though for salve and lotion bars.
Plantain and calendula infused oil sounds wonderful!
Where do you get plantain and calendula oil?
Also what kind of oil did you think they used to infuse the dandelion flowers in initially?
Thanks for your reply.
I just made a salve with plantain infused olive oil and beeswax and it came out fantastic! It is curing a rash my Mom has had on her legs that the doctor’s steroid creams have done nothing for, it makes my hands feel terrific and even works as lip balm. I love plantain. I used it when I got stung by a bee between my toes and it instantly took the pain away.
How do you make plantain salve? Would you mind sharing? Also is it the broadleaf one or the narrow leaf?
Thank you
I love this recipe. Never heard of dandelion salve before but it certainly makes sense that it would be very healing and beneficial for many wounds and for the skin. I know dandelion is packed full of nutrient and medicinal properties. Visiting from the Home Acre Blog Hop! Will share on google twitter & Pin!
Thank you for stopping by and sharing Marla!
I always have plenty of supplies for this:)
Now that I have this recipe I can make this and will remember to pick the dandelions when we have them in our yard. Carolyn Hernandez
I am happy this has ingredients I have at home. My gardening hands need this salve!
I saw a recipe for dandelion jelly I was thinking of trying.
Ooohhh, yummy- dandelion jelly sounds so delicious! I’m going to google that now and see if i can find a recipe to make some too!
Nice. I agree, so many DIY creams and ointments are pretty finicky in their ingredient list. I really like how simple this one is.
Thanks for sharing this post at The Green Thumb Thursday Garden Blog Hop. We hope you will join us again this week.
I love this salve and will be keeping my eye out for enough dandelions. I also love that this is simple with ingredients I have at home. I can actually do this! 🙂
Do you think cocoa butter would benefit your skin better than bees wax? I keep both on hand for balms and salves. I think it would add an extra softening something to your salve.
I’ve never used cocoa butter in my homemade natural body care so I can’t speak to how it would work. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it turns out!
Just made 3 batches of dandelion salve using your recipe. We are in love with it. Skin is so smooth. Thanks for sharing way back in 2014. I just shared your link too, with a facebook member on a soap group.
Hi Marcia, Which Olive Oil did you use? And did you add any additional ingredients or go by this one exactly? I can’t wait to try. Thank you
Love this recipe! Shared on pinterest today 🙂
Thank you Amber 🙂
This is beyond fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing on Green Thumb Thursday. I have decided to feature this post in this week’s edition. http://104homestead.com/dandelion-salve/ I have shared not only on the Green Thumb social media, but on my personal pages as well. Come by and grab your badge and share even more awesomeness 🙂
Thank you for the feature and for sharing Jess 🙂
Can’t wait to try this, I never realized it would be so easy to make my own! Thanks!
Do you have any suggestions for an alternative to the coconut oil? Both my son and I are allergice, but this sounds like it would be an awesome solution to our dry, cracked hands.
You can actually leave out the coconut oil in the recipe and increase the amount of infused oil. Basically the less beeswax and the more infused oil in your ratio the softer the salve will be.
What else could be used besides dandelion?
You can use SO many different plants to make infused oils. The first ones I ever made were infused lavender oil and infused calendula oil. I’ve also made infused sage oil and currently I am making an infused lilac oil and an infused Oregon Grape oil. Before I use a plant to make an infused oil, I do a little reading about the plant in my herbal identification books to make sure the plant doesn’t have any skin irritants in it. Hope this helps!
Calendual petals, Comfrey, Chamomille, and Echinacea can be individually used in place of the dandelions
A neighbor gave me some fresh pineapple thyme leaves. Could I infuse those with the dandelions to get the wonderful pineapple thyme smell? Do I need to dry those out a little first? I am wondering if anyone knows what the best process would be to do that.
Oooh, pineapple thyme infused oil sounds wonderful! Other than the dandelion oil, I’ve never left my flowers/leaves out to dry before making an infused oil. The rule of thumb I learned is to harvest the herbs mid day on a sunny day to make sure there is no moisture on them. If someone gave you some leaves, as long as they don’t appear to be wet you can put them in oil and start infusing them right away. I’ve never infused thyme before so I’m curious how it turns out if you give it a try!
I’ll let you know! I’m really kind of excited about mixing the thyme with the dandelions. Do you think I need to crush or cut up the thyme first? Would that hurt anything if I did?
I actually crush/chop some things I’m making an infused oil out of so it definitely shouldn’t hurt!
Okay, I just Googled “infusing oil with fresh herbs” (should have thought of that first before I asked — duh!), and the first website (http://whisperingearth.co.uk/2010/04/26/potions-group-making-herb-infused-oils) said to cut up the fresh herbs first. So that’s what I’m doing. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for your dandelion salve recipe!
So I just finished the salve – very luxurious! I cannot smell the pineapple thyme at all – I’m a little disappointed about that. The olive oil smell seems to be too strong. Because I couldn’t smell the pineapple thyme, I added equal amounts of orange and grapefruit essential oil — 15-20 drops each. It makes a great massage oil.
I like to use grapeseed oil in place of olive oil. Less olive smell.
Oh, this is a lovely idea. I don’t believe in the concept of weeds, really – most of those plants are things that have many uses, like nettles and dandelions. (I’m excepting knotweed and giant hogweed here!). I read the comments and just wish I’d found your blog sooner – lilac infused oil sounds fantastic, but mine bloomed last month and they’re all gone now 🙁 Thanks so much for coming up with a recipe that, as you say, doesn’t have too many expensive or unusual ingredients. Have beeswax, olive oil and dandelions – I just need to get the coconut oil and I’m all set! Have a lovely weekend. x
Here in Montana it seems our spring flowers bloom so much later than everyone else’s! Our lilacs are just now ending. This was the first time I tried making a lilac infused oil.I love the scent so I thought I’d try capturing it in an oil infusion. It is still infusing in the cupboard. I plan to write a post about how it turns out once it is done! Maybe next year you can try making some 🙂
I want to try this!
Have anyone tried using the lambs quarters as spinach? When I was a young girl, I used the labs quarters as spinach one day because my dad said something about it. I also picked the dandelion heads and fried them as I did mushrooms in the Spring. Anyone tried this?
Yes, I’ve eaten lamb’s quarters as spinach! I actually heard someone call them “wild spinach” one time. I’ve heard of folks frying dandelion heads but haven’t tried it yet. We love to forage for wild morel mushrooms here in Montana in areas where a forest fire went through the year before.
Stinging nettles together with spinach is wonderful too. My mom used half and half nettles and spinach.
Do you leave the lid off the jar while in the pan? And also, if I were to use lilac flowers would I also dry them out?? I’ve researched them on the internet and I have no clear ideas. if you could help me I’d appreciate it!
When making an infused oil, I put the lid on the jar while in the pan just to help keep the heat in longer and help it infuse. I didn’t dry out my lilac flowers, just put them directly into the oil. They are smaller flowers and didn’t seem to hold moisture like the big dandelion heads. Hope this helps!
I don’t know if you have any or grow it, but peppermint helps with pain also and will give a wonderful scent. I’ve also used the dandelion flowers for tea.
Hey, I have all this stuff. Including the dandelions! Thanks for sharing. Hello from Unprocessed Fridays!
Good idea. Thanks for sharing this at Wildcrafting Wednesday. My daughter makes a similar salve but with plantain leaves and it is great. We should add dandelion to the mix and see if it improves.
This salve sounds like it will be wonderful for the skin! Thank you!
1. There’s no mention of washing the flowers or herbs after harvest. Would this add to the moisture factor and lengthen the drying time if rinsed?
2. If using fresh lemon balm, lavender or any other fresh herb to infuse oil, would the amount of leaves be the same as the amount of dandelion heads (4 cups)?
I rarely wash my harvested flowers/herbs before using them in an infused oil. The only time I’ve ever washed something was when I harvested Oregon Grape Root and it visibly had dirt on it that needed to be washed off. Once I did wash it, I let it dry out a few days to ensure there would be no moisture brought into the oil infusion. When harvesting herbs to make infused oils, I often don’t measure since a lot of times I’m out in the mountains wild harvesting. When I harvest from my gardens, I occasionally measure them if I know I need a certain amount for a specific recipe. The beauty of making oil infusions is that you can make any quantity you want. If you happen to harvest only a cup of lemon balm leaves, pack them into a clean glass jar and cover them with as much oil as you need to cover them. When using the oil infusion in a recipe like making lip balm or a salve, that is when you need to make sure you have the correct measurement of infused oil. I have glass jars of infused oils that I can just pour out the quantity I need to make a certain recipe and still have some leftover in my glass jar to use another time. Hope that helps!
When you infuse the oil and keep the leftover for another time, how do you insure that it won’t go bad? I recently did this with my lemon balm, but now I’m not sure if it is still good or if it turned bad.
Thanks for the info!
Edwina
Most infused oils, if kept refrigerated, will last a year, at least!!
What does nettle look like? I want to start collecting some to make tea please
This salve is amazing! I made some and shared with my best friend who tried everything for her achy knees. She haf excellent relief using this! Just this week her 7 year old was having terrible joint pain (she is on a laundry list of meds to control epilepsy) and 20 minutes aftet a good rub on her joints, she was up and playing! I have recently (just this week) developed a finger that won’t bend. I apply the salve and have full flexion within 30 minutes! I am going to stock up on dried dandelion flowers this spring so that I can have a regular supply! I can’t thank you enough for the recipe!
Glad to know about the stiff finger joint I am infusing my dandelions in olive oil and will make the salve in a few days my joints hurt from working around my yard so hope I get relief from doing the salve.
My coconut oil is liquid like olive oil. It doesn’t look like the thick stuff you put in your pot. It says it’s organic. Did I buy the wrong thing?
i am going to try this as a remedy for pre-menstrual breast pain.
Thank you for this article and for the recipe! I love dandelions greens in the spring and a tea made out of the roots is nourishing to the liver. Most of the time, I just cook the whole plant for a side dish.
I put fresh herbs in water and boil until very strong and water is almost gone, then emulsify with wax and olive oil.
I will have to try this before my goats get to the dandelions this year! I also read you can roast the roots and use as a coffee substitute!!! They are amazing little fellows aren’t they 🙂
I am looking forward to making dandelion wine! I got the recipe from a friend in Pennsylvania. Her family has been making dandelion wine for years. It is administered to the children during times of illness with huge success rates. Thank you for sharing this!
i want to try this salve. i had over 100 recipes for medical salves made from wild plants on my computer but it burned when my house burned last year so im trying to find new recipes im working on a family cook book using wild plants wild fruits and wild meat if any one has any others they would like to share with me i would appreciate it. also my granddad used to make wine from dandelion blooms i don’t know what all he put in it all i remember was he put the blooms in a glass jug and covered them with water and hid them under the porch so us kids couldn’t find them
*falls to knees* Bless you for the uncomplicated recipe! I’ve come across the same problem when trying out botanical recipes online. I will definitely trying this. I’ve made similar mixes before so I have a feeling this one will be going down in my “definitely do again” book.
I was wondering, I plan on making this tomorrow (I already got the oil infusing), but the oils and beeswax the ounces are they liquid ounces or solid? I was just wondering how to measure them. I have beeswax pellets to use this time and my local place will have solid bars for next time I make it. Thanks!
I weighed them when they were in their solid form
What is that baby girl doing?
I like the color!
I’ve made some wonderful wine with dandelions. What was so nice, it I could choose if I wanted it a dry white, a=or lightly sweet. It comes out a lovely light gold.
I’ve been making dandelion oil & salve for a few years but have always put the flowers in oil – in the sun – for two weeks. I haven’t heard yet to keep it out of direct sunlight. What difference do you think this would make, I’m also going to research it and see what I find! It’s really nice to find someone as excited about dandelions – they are simply amazing. I’m going to sell mine at the markets this year! Thanks for sharing your recipe and may you forever be blessed with soft hands! 🙂
In the past I put some flowers in oil in the sun for a couple weeks and the warmth from the sun created condensation inside the jar and it molded on top. I had to throw out the whole batch! Since then I keep it out of direct sunlight to infuse.
Hi! This recipe sounds awesome. I apologize in advance if this question was already asked, but what is the shelf life on this?
Thank you!
I have some that is a year old and it still works great!
Great article! Good, simple directions and few ingredients.
I have been making dandelion infused oil for years, thanks to Susun Weed. I use it in my dandy lip balm.
I don’t dry my dandy heads, as I find that they tend to go white and toward the seed stage. I cut off the sepal/stem ends so that the petals fall apart and there is less moisture overall.
The other thing I do is when I do a slow infusion is cover the jar with a paper towel or piece of cheese cloth to keep the oil clean and let the moisture evaporate.
If you are doing a stove-top infusion I don’t think you need to let the flowerheads dry to avoid sludge, as the moisture would evaporate from the heating.
I have also found that a number of skin-loving herbs will help chapped skin, such as plantian and comfrey, which did get mentioned in some other comments.
Thanks for the article!
Could you use wintergreen instead of lavender?
Instead of lavender could wintergreen be used?
My definition of a weed is something growing where you don’t want it {so a rose can be a weed too} and dandelions are one of the most beneficial and useful plants that can grow in any garden. They are great for pollinating insects, and we can use every single part of the plant for nutritious food and herbal treatments. My garden is over~run {much to the chagrin of my neighbours} and this year I hope to roast the root to try ‘coffee’
The addition of lavender oil is a great idea, as lavender is just full of skin loving and healing properties.
Thank you for this recipe and I’m going to start a batch off this week.
I make dandelion jam but it is really time intensive. You have to separate the flower from the green part. I like your idea better.
I love all these ideas so much thank you for sharing 🙂
Wow, I am anxious to try this. We have tons of dandelions in our yard as well. And just so happens we will be getting bees next weekend!! So excited about that Can’t wait for the honey and wax. I love them both.. I started following you on Pinterest.
How long will this last for? Dandelions bloom in summer, but I’d like to use this all year long, even give some as Christmas/New Years presents. That’s when our skin needs the most moisture. If I keep this in the fridge, how long do you think it will last, because it’s all natural and has no preservatives?
I still have dandelion oil from last summer. So I know it lasts at least a year. As long as the flowers are dried well and there is no moisture to spoil it, it should be fine for AWHILE I’d think!
Is it possible to infuse the oil in a dehydrator?
Thank you for these recipes/instructions! I made a batch of really nice dandelion salve, using shea butter instead of coconut. I am going to go buy soap molds to pour the batch into for a nice hand-held lotion bar!
This looks wonderful I can’t wait to try it!!!! do you have to use bees wax? or can you use all coconut oil? I can buy some bees wax, but i just want to get started on it right away!!!! Love this. thank you.
this is wonderful my grandmother was Cherokee and she used dandelions in salad and for medicines
Question: when heating the oil do ileave the lid on? Worried about pressure build up…
I never put a lid on when heating it up
Just made a batch tonight. It looked small chunks in it so I zapped it with my hand-held blender and it’s very smooth. Made two little jars to giveaway for gifts and a larger jar for me. Very easy to make. Feels greasy but after a few minutes it somewhat dry. Already used a dab on my hands and arms and they are so soft.
Thanks for the recipe! How long will the salve keep for? Is it necessary to use vitamin E as a preservative to keep it from going bad? Thanks in advance! (My infused oil is ready to be blended with the beeswax…so excited to make it!)
I never use vitamin E in any of my homemade body products and have never problem with anything going bad
sunflowers have a high content of vitamins one of these is vitamin e
I have never heard of dandelion salve or jelly. We always have a bumper crop of dandelions every year, so this is good to know. We enjoy adding fresh dandelion greens to salads, and this is a good way to use even more of the plant. I can’t wait to try this.
I am allergic to coconut. What other oil can I use for making infused oils or salave
If you’re allergic to coconut, you could make the dandelion infused oil and then use it in our recipe to make a homemade lotion that does not use coconut oil https://montanahomesteader.com/how-to-make-lotion/
Or you could use the dandelion infused oil in our recipe for body butter since it uses shea butter and no coconut oil https://montanahomesteader.com/easy-homemade-body-butter-recipe/
By using the dandelion infused oil to make a lotion or body butter, you can still get the medicinal effects of the dandelion infused in the oil. I hope this helps!
Could you use fresh lavender instead if the essential oils?
thanks for this informative post.. I am brand new to thinking dandelion anything, and started just wanting to preserve them for their beauty.
Now I see there are lots of things to use them for, and a free resource~
thanks so much
blessings
Barb
Instead of throwing away the dandelions, or other flowers and herbs, after straining, I use them in making soaps.
I was just wondering if this recipe is firm enough to make put into silicone molds or if it’s looser and would just not harden up enough for that? Do you think if I added a Lil bit more or if I froze it would it work? I’m just trying to make some for a few family members but don’t have enough to give them all 4 Oz bottles.
Do you sell your salves? I live in phoenix az and dont have dandelions!
I have dandilion infused coconut oil…
Would you think I can make the salve with it as well?
Thanks in advanve for your suggestions 🙂
Do you wiegh the ingredients or use liquid measurements?
I have the same question…
I use liquid measurements for the infused oil, and conversion of liquid to solid for the coconut oil. My beeswax comes in weighed/portioned bricks, so I break off what I need
I gathered full bloomed yellow dandelion heads and put them into a paper towel lined container to dry out. Day one: they shrank up resembling unopened blooms and on day 2: the “yellow” part started turning to the white like parts that u blow off the plant. What did I do wrong? Can they still be used for dandelion oil to make pain salve? Thanks and have a great day! 😉
i made some of the dandelion slave but my consistency was more runny and not firm like yours? i thought if i put it in the fridge that would help and i did but when i took it it out of fridge it went back to being runny but i would prefer to not have it in the fridge. do you think i should add more coconut oil or bees wax to make it firm? Thanks!!
Then you had more infused oil to beeswax/coconut oil ratio.
I’m wondering if it would make a difference if I used dried dandelions from our local health food store.
Finally made mine into body butter in December, just dandy infused safflower and sunflower oils and beeswax. Made 2 jars of butter and a lotion stick. No EOs, I like the dandy smell. I used a little vanilla infused oil in one and it smells a bit like cake batter. Skin is soft and happy. This is all mine; I have made plenty of assorted salves and butters for everyone this (past) year. Looking forward to getting more dandelions this year. Thanks for sharing 🙂
O! I am so doing this! As soon as the bees get their fill, first.
Thanks for the recipe. I’m going to try this!
Your recipe calls for 160z of infused oil. But you said you used a pint jar. By the time you fill the jar with flowers and oil and you drain the oil you only have about 6 oz. Do you use 6 or 16 oz.
Great post! Have nice day ! 🙂 vyxes
This may have already been asked…but would dried dandelion work? I harvested a bunch of entire dandelions (root and all) a couple years ago, dried them and now I use it as a tea. I rarely use it because I don’t like the taste haha but this would be a great way to use it up and still get the benefits of it.
Hi. I am wondering if you know of a salve or oil that helps get rid of athletes foot. I can barely walk because my feet hurt so bad. Please help me find something natural to use instead of the medicines over the counter. They can hurt your liver.
In the process of doing this! Gathered the dandelions and they are now dried. I’ve noticed though, on a lot of them, that the outside petals have turned white. Will this be a problem? Thanks!
In 2015 I first read about and made my first batch of dandelion salve in spring. We were splitting wood (we cull & split 20 cord each year for heating in winter). As I was reaching over the splitter, the inside of forearm hit the muffler on the gas powered splitter resulting in 3rd degree burn- looked like white seared grill-marked meat. I ran a 1/4mile to the house and grabbed the salve I had just made and applied it generously to the burn. Instantly the pain was gone! Over the next 4wks, I applied the salve to the burn several times a day. No pain, healing was remarkable. And I am left with only very faint discoloration on my skin where the ‘grill marks’ were (one has to look super close to see them). No scarring, no pocked skin. The whole family uses it for sores, wounds, aches, pains, insect bites, sunburn, bee stings, everything! We use it on our pets, and in their ears for ear health. I have given some to a local rescue for doggie skin conditions and sores, too, with great results. In fact – I have a gall bladder issue and I rub the infused oil on my belly over my gall bladder for relief.
In 2016 I made a huge batch that lasted 3 families 2 years. This year, 2018, I making a large batch again. I love this stuff!
Wow this is amazing, thank you for sharing!!
This looks great! How long does this salve last before it goes rancid if at all? Or does that not matter with salves?
My rule of thumb is usually about a year shelf life if the salve even lasts that long with us using it often. I always store our salves in a cool, dry area out of sunlight which helps them to last longer. That being said, when we moved this winter I found a jar that still had some salve in it from two years ago and it did not look or smell rancid so we used it!
Just finished making this. Very nice salve. I used lemongrass oil to scent it and it’s wonderful 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Lemongrass oil sounds like a lovely addition! Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for sharing your experience!
Cudowna roślina 🙂 Używam maceratu olejowego do mydła,ale o maści nie pomyślałam 🙂 Dziękuję za inspirację 🙂
Thank you for sharing, I had to use an online translator so I could read your comment 🙂 That is wonderful that you are already familiar with dandelion and I love the idea of using dandelion oil in soap. That is something I will try! I’ve used it in making lip balm and homemade lotion bars also. So many uses for this wonderful plant!
How long will this last? I need it mostly in the winter.
I made some last year and still have a jar sitting in my bathroom and it seems to be good still. This stuff works great!
Just wanted to let you know that when you are describing the process of making this, you state olive oil and then later say coconut oil.
Hello! I’m SO excited to do this! My oil is infused, and I’ve got all the supplies ready, but one question- are the ingredients listed by weight, or liquid measure?
Hi! If I use less dandelions for the salve for a smaller batch, do I lessen the amount of coconut oil and beeswax? Can’t wait to make this!
I’m allergic to coconut and would like to know how to replace it?
This is awesome! Thank you for sharing your green wisdom. I plan on making some of this just to have on hand. I’m really new to making homemade healthy concoctions but am looking forward to it. I just started making colloidal silver a couple of weeks ago and use it from time to time.
Thanks for posting this! I have a question, I tried to make it but it turned out really liquidy & separated. Do you know If there is any saving it?
Thanks