I spent an afternoon foraging dandelion flowers before crafting a salve with extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, vitamin E and hint of lavender essential oil. My homemade medicinal remedies harness the gentle power of nature, offering a soothing blend for tired muscles and dry skin. Embrace nature’s simple, nurturing magic.

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I’ve recently gotten into making my own natural remedies and came across a new twist on an old idea – a dandelion salve that’s both soothing and simple to create. I started with about a cup of foraged dandelion flowers, loosely packed and full of potential.

I mixed them with a cup of extra virgin olive oil and a bit of beeswax pastilles (around 1/4 cup) to give it that perfect consistency, and sometimes I add a teaspoon of vitamin E oil for extra skin goodness. To top it off, a few drops of lavender essential oil give it a nice, gentle scent.

I love that this recipe taps into the tradition of homemade medicinal remedies and natural allergy fixes, while keeping things easy to do at home with ingredients I can literally find in nature. It’s a unique DIY project that has quickly become one of my favorites for soothing sore muscles and dry skin.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it uses real natural ingredients that I can actually forage for, like dandelion flowers. Its amazing to think that something as common as a weed can be turned into a healing salve.

I also enjoy the whole process of making it. There’s a chill vibe while infusing the olive oil with the flowers, and waiting for the mixture to cool makes me feel like I’m really doing something handmade and unique.

Another thing is that it’s super versatile. I love using it on my sore muscles or dry skin, and sometimes even as a light massage oil. It feels really comforting and natural, which is exactly what I need after a long day.

Finally, even though the process takes some time, I appreciate that it doesn’t require any fancy or expensive ingredients. It’s simple, down-to-earth, and it reminds me that good things can come from what you already have around you.

Ingredients

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Here are some neat details about the key ingredients I use in my homemade dandelion salve.

Each ingredient adds its own benefits and flavor to keep your skin nourished and happy.

Foraged dandelion flowers – These wild dandelion blossoms are bursting with vitamins and antioxidants, perfect for skin renewal.
Extra virgin olive oil – Extra virgin olive oil packs healthy fats and nutrients to moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.
Beeswax pastilles – Beeswax pastilles firm up the salve, creating a natural barrier and smooth application.
Vitamin E oil – Vitamin E oil delivers extra antioxidant power, boosting shelf life and enriching skin’s nourishment.
Essential oil – Essential oil, like lavender, adds a delightful aroma plus a subtle soothing effect.

Ingredient Quantities

Foraged dandelion flowers – about 1 cup, loosely packed

Extra virgin olive oil – 1 cup

Beeswax pastilles – 1/4 cup (roughly 1 ounce by weight)

Vitamin E oil – 1 teaspoon (optional for extra skin goodness)

Essential oil (like lavender) – 5 to 10 drops (optional if you want a nicer smell)

How to Make this

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1. First, collect about 1 cup of loosely packed dandelion flowers and gently rinse them, then pat them dry real well.

2. Pour 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil into a double boiler, and add your dandelion flowers.

3. Slowly heat the oil and flowers on low, making sure it never comes to a boil, and let it infuse for roughly 1 ½ to 2 hours.

4. Once done, strain the oil through a clean cheesecloth into a heat-safe bowl to remove the flowers.

5. Return your infused oil to the double boiler and stir in 1/4 cup of beeswax pastilles until melted completely.

6. Remove the mixture from heat and, if desired, mix in 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil for extra skin goodness.

7. Add 5 to 10 drops of your chosen essential oil, like lavender, to give a pleasant scent.

8. Carefully pour the hot salve into sterilized glass jars, filling them while the mixture is still warm.

9. Let the salve cool and harden completely at room temperature before sealing the jars.

10. Use your homemade dandelion salve by gently rubbing it onto sore muscles, joints, or dry patches of skin for natural relief.

Equipment Needed

1. Measuring cups and spoons for accurately measuring the dandelion flowers, olive oil, beeswax, vitamin E oil, and essential oil
2. A double boiler to gently heat the oil and later melt the beeswax
3. A colander or strainer for rinsing the dandelion flowers
4. A clean cheesecloth to strain the infused oil
5. A heat-safe bowl to catch the strained oil
6. A stirring spoon or spatula to mix in the beeswax and vitamin E oil
7. Sterilized glass jars to pour and store the final salve

FAQ

Q: Can I use other oils if I dont have extra virgin olive oil?

A: Sure thing! Any carrier oil like almond or coconut oil work great, but note that each oil might have a slightly different effect on the salve.

Q: Do I have to use beeswax pastilles?

A: Not at all, you can use grated beeswax if thats easier to find. Just make sure to measure by weight ideally so you get the right consistency.

Q: How important is it to forage my own dandelion flowers?

A: Its pretty cool to use wild dandelions, but if you worry about pesticides or misidentification, you can pick them from reputable sources or even buy dried ones.

Q: What if I dont like the smell of the dandelions?

A: That totally comes down to personal taste. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to overpower any earthy smell or leave it out if you prefer a natural scent.

Q: How long does the salve last?

A: When stored in a cool, dark place its best used within 6 months to a year. Make sure to keep it sealed up good to avoid contamination.

How To Make And Use Dandelion Salve Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you cant find foraged dandelion flowers, you can use dried calendula petals or chamomile flowers as a good substitute.
If extra virgin olive oil is not available, try using coconut oil or avocado oil which work just as well.
Instead of beeswax pastilles, candelilla wax or soy wax are great alternatives, especially if you want a vegan option.
If you dont have vitamin E oil, you can simply skip it or add a few drops of rosemary extract for that extra skin boost.
Rather than lavender essential oil, tea tree oil or a citrus essential oil can be used to add a unique scent.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your dandelion flowers are completely dry before you start, cuz any extra water can cause your oil to splatter and affect the infusion.
2. Keep your heat super low on that double boiler – if it gets too hot, it may mess up the delicate properties of the flowers and even burn a little bit of the oil.
3. Stir in your beeswax slowly and evenly so you dont end up with clumps in your salve; be patient and mix until its all fully melted.
4. Try out different amounts of essential oil in a small test batch first – a little goes a long way, and too many drops can overpower the natural scent of the salve.

How To Make And Use Dandelion Salve Recipe

Recipe by Bob Jones

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

221

kcal

Equipment: 1. Measuring cups and spoons for accurately measuring the dandelion flowers, olive oil, beeswax, vitamin E oil, and essential oil
2. A double boiler to gently heat the oil and later melt the beeswax
3. A colander or strainer for rinsing the dandelion flowers
4. A clean cheesecloth to strain the infused oil
5. A heat-safe bowl to catch the strained oil
6. A stirring spoon or spatula to mix in the beeswax and vitamin E oil
7. Sterilized glass jars to pour and store the final salve

Ingredients

Foraged dandelion flowers – about 1 cup, loosely packed
Extra virgin olive oil – 1 cup
Beeswax pastilles – 1/4 cup (roughly 1 ounce by weight)
Vitamin E oil – 1 teaspoon (optional for extra skin goodness)
Essential oil (like lavender) – 5 to 10 drops (optional if you want a nicer smell)

Directions

First, collect about 1 cup of loosely packed dandelion flowers and gently rinse them, then pat them dry real well.
Pour 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil into a double boiler, and add your dandelion flowers.
Slowly heat the oil and flowers on low, making sure it never comes to a boil, and let it infuse for roughly 1 ½ to 2 hours.
Once done, strain the oil through a clean cheesecloth into a heat-safe bowl to remove the flowers.
Return your infused oil to the double boiler and stir in 1/4 cup of beeswax pastilles until melted completely.
Remove the mixture from heat and, if desired, mix in 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil for extra skin goodness.
Add 5 to 10 drops of your chosen essential oil, like lavender, to give a pleasant scent.
Carefully pour the hot salve into sterilized glass jars, filling them while the mixture is still warm.
Let the salve cool and harden completely at room temperature before sealing the jars.
Use your homemade dandelion salve by gently rubbing it onto sore muscles, joints, or dry patches of skin for natural relief.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.