Dandelion Salve Recipe

Most people consider dandelions a pesky weed, but they have incredible nutritional and medicinal properties! Did you know that the entire plant is edible? One way to use dandelions is to make them into a salve that is great for your skin, muscles, and costs a fraction of those fancy lotions. I’m going to share my dandelion salve recipe that’s simple and easy to make. It would be a great activity to do with your kids!

Dandelion has many health benefits, like:

great source of vitamins
good for skin
supports liver health
great coffee substitute
relieves inflammation of joints and muscles

*Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. Consult your health care provider for advice.

Using a dandelion salve on your skin can be great for dry skin or eczema. Rub it onto sore joints and muscles to help reduce inflammation.

You will need:

fresh dandelions
pint or quart jars
oil (olive, sweet almond, avocado – or a mixture)
fine mesh strainer
cheesecloth
beeswax pellets
optional: shea butter
small jars or tins

The first thing you will need to do is make a dandelion infused oil. This oil can be used several ways, and will store for awhile once it’s finished.

How to make a dandelion infused oil

Pick clean dandelion flower heads that you are absolutely sure haven’t been sprayed with any pesticides. This is very important! If you don’t have enough in your own yard, ask a neighbor or go to a natural wildlife area. Avoid public parks (like parks with playgrounds or sports fields) or a ditch on the side of the road, as those areas are commonly sprayed.
Spread the flowers out onto a screen, a dehydrator tray, or a clean towel. (Don’t actually dehydrate them for this… the tray is just a convenient spot to dry them). Dry the flowers for a couple days. Some of them may start to go to seed, and that’s okay. You can still use them, or you can pick them out.
Fill your jar about halfway with dried dandelions. Cover and fill the jar with your oil of choice.
Let the jar sit in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks. Don’t leave it any longer than two weeks, or it will go bad.
Drain the oil out into a clean jar – use a fine mesh strainer with a cheesecloth inside.

Dandelion salve recipe

1/2 cup dandelion infused oil
1 ounce beeswax pellets
optional: if you would like this salve to feel a bit more like lotion, add 1/2 ounce of shea butter
optional: essential oil of choice (lavender is a great one for its skin benefits!)

Pour the dandelion oil and beeswax (and optional shea butter) into a small saucepan. Turn the heat on very low, until the beeswax has melted and fully incorporated into the oil.
Pour into small jars or tins. Let cool slightly before adding several drops of essential oils to each jar. Be sure to add the oils before the salve has hardened, though.

So send your kiddos out to forage dandelions from your yard, and make some salve together! Use it on your sore gardening muscles or your dry winter skin.

You can find our favorite books about foraging HERE. If you’re interested in more edible and medicinal plants you can forage from your yard, check out this video: