Soap
How To Make Dandelion Infused Oil
Apr
The Wonders of Dandelions: From Weed to Wellness
Dandelions are one of my favourite plants. Itβs hard to believe that many consider them weeds. Yet, this humble herb can work miracles for your health. Every child recognizes these bright yellow sweethearts of the roadsides and grassy places with their beautiful heads of flowers. Each year, the yellow carpet of dandelion flowers excites us. Our bees adore this golden carpet, and we love it too. We harvest these gorgeous flowers for medicine and food right from our backyard.
Making Dandelion Infused Oil
Step 1: Harvesting
Harvest dandelions in sunny, dry weather or once the morning dew has dried. Ensure you collect the flowers from areas that havenβt been sprayed with pesticides, and avoid those near busy roads due to car exhaust. Gently cut the dandelion heads from the stem, then shake them off to remove any potential insects.
Step 2: Dehydrating
Dehydrate your dandelions by laying them out on a dehydrator sheet or a wire cookie cooling rack until they are crispy and dry. Alternatively, you can turn the dehydrator to a very low temperature. I use my Excalibur dehydrator for 24 hours, but you can use whatever you have. If you donβt have a dehydrator or wire cooling rack, let the dandelions dry out on paper towels for a few days in a dark place. Ensure theyβre surface water-free before putting them into oil to prevent mould. To check for any remaining moisture, put a few blossoms into a glass jar, cover it with a lid, and leave it for at least an hour. If no water drops appear on the glass, your dandelions are ready for infusing.
Step 3: Infusing
Place the dried dandelions in a sterilized jar and cover them with oil to create your dandelion infused oil. I usually fill a pint jar halfway with dandelions, then top it up with olive oil, though any oil will work. Ensure all the dandelion heads are submerged in oil. If there are air bubbles, stir the jar with a wooden or plastic spoon.
Step 4: Waiting
Cover the jar with a lid and place it in a sunny window or another sunny location for 1-2 weeks, shaking it once a day. Alternatively, you can opt for a traditional infusion method by placing the jar in a dark place for 4-6 weeks, shaking occasionally. After the infusion, strain the mixture through a thick sieve or cheesecloth.
Step 5: Storing
Label your jar with the herb name and production date. Properly stored, dandelion infused oil typically has a shelf life of up to a year.
Using Dandelion Infused Oil
Dandelion-infused oil is known to help with aches, arthritic joints, sore muscles, and chapped, dry skin. I love using it in lip balms and as a base oil for ointments, body lotions, shampoos, and even soaps. You can also make cough-soothing syrup, coffee substitutes, and dandelion tea by steeping the leaves or roots in boiling water. Many beautiful recipes use these versatile flowers!
Have you ever made dandelion infused oil? Will you try it with dandelions? Be sure to pin this for later!
You’re most welcome, Colleen and thank you for your comment.
Got nettle in the jar with oil in my storage room right now, will be using in the shampoo bar very soon.
To be honest, havenβt infused mint and lemon balm yet but can imagine using them for salves, lotions etc. It looks like a good plan???? and please let me know how it went.
Can i use anykind of oil
Really want to try with dandelion but its difficult to find at my country
Hello Suci, surely you can use any kind of vegetable or nut oil you got on hand; olive oil is my favorite though π If hard to find dandelions in your area, try make infusions with herbs, plants available in your environment. It’s all fun π
Reply
Hi Isabelle, thank you for stopping by π I am the same way, natural girl..just pure essential oils and plant coloring in soap making.. π
I love using infused oils and my dandelion infusion preserves the smell of the dandelion. It’s a beautiful dandy scent, with maybe a hint of honey scent.
So I think it would be a great and beneficial ingredient in your project.
Good luck with the dandelion lip balm π
Thsnk you very much for sharing your indepth knowledge.. I really like to use ss much natural ingredients in making soaps eyc