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Easy Dandelion Oil Recipe & 10 Ways To Use It
Dandelions are such a versatile plant. It has so many uses. I want to share with you some of the different ways to use dandelion oil that would surely make a bee proud.
For the dandelion-infused oil, we will be using just the flower tops. The flower tops are rich in polyphenols and flavonoids. Polyphenols and flavonoids possess anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and immunomodulatory abilities. They can help protect skin from the sun and other environmental stressors.
The flower petals were shown to have more antioxidants than the dandelion leaves(1). Dandelion flower extracts were shown to help absorb UVB irradiation(2).
Polyphenols Found in Dandelion Flowers
Chlorogenic and chlorogenic acids found in the flowers can reduce inflammation that is caused by eczema, psoriasis, and acne. They also have antimicrobial properties.
Chicoric acids (phenylpropanoids) help stop the breakdown of collagen. It also helps with hyperpigmentation.
Sinapic acid has antimutagenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activity(3).
Caffeic acid protects skins integrity and helps prevent premature aging of the skin.
Ferulic acid is great at protecting skins integrity and reducing wrinkles, age spots, and fine lines.
Flavonoids Found in Dandelion flowers
The quercetin in dandelions can help reduce swelling and helps fight free radicals. It calms inflammation. It also reduces the effects of ultraviolet radiation and reduces oxidative stress.
The apigenin found in the flower tops has a natural UV protective effect. It is also being studied and shown to have an anti-cancer and anti-tumor effect.
Luteolin aids in wound healing. In studies its being shown to inhibit dermatitis, psoriasis, and even UV-induced diseases like skin cancer and photoaging(4)
Isorhamnetin is anti-inflammatory.
Flavonoid Glycosides in Dandelion Flower
Luteolin 7-glucoside,
Luteolin 7-O-rutinoside,
Isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside,
Quercetin 7-O-glucoside
Apigenin 7-O-glucoside.
Dandelion Oil Benefits
Its has anti-cancer activity.
It has pain relieving properties.
It is good for anti aging.
It is very moisturizing.
Helps heal cracked skin.
It is anti-fungal.
It can help reduce hyperpigmentation.
10 Ways to Use Dandelion Oil
For sunburns
For chapped skin
As a massage oil
For pain like arthritis
Use in a Salve, you can make a first aid salve for cuts, scrapes or bug bites.
Use in soap
Use in lip balm
Use as a facial oil serum
Use oil in a moisturizing cream
Use as a bath oil
Which Oils to Use
There are so many oils you can choose from but I recommend these below. You should choose your oil/fat depending on what method you want to use. For example, if you were wanting to use a saturated fat like unrefined coconut oil it will be solid at room temp so that fat/oil is only suitable for using the fast method like the stove or a crockpot. If you are going to use the long method which requires the oil and dandelions to sit on a warm window sill you can use any of the other oils. I personally like avocado oil the best.
Foraging For Dandelions
Dandelions are fairly easy to identify. If you need help on how to identify you can read my previous post about dandelions here. The most important things are to pick from a trusted area that isn’t sprayed and make sure you dry the flowers fully for several days before you use them.
Supplies Needed
Mason Jar or any glass jar with a good lid
Easy Dandelion Oil Recipe-Slow Method
This is a very easy recipe. Pick dandelion flowers, dry them for a few days, and make sure there is no moisture left. If there is any moisture left it can cause the infused oil to go rancid. Usually, around 3-6 days is sufficient time to dry the flower heads.
Place dried flower heads in a glass jar and fill with oil all the way to the top. Place lid on tightly and gently shake to remove any air bubbles. Add extra oil if needed. Make sure the lid is on well because you know sometimes things get knocked over and spill.
Put in a warm window sill and let sit for 1-2 weeks to infuse. Do not let it sit longer than 2 weeks.
Easy Dandelion Oil Recipe-Fast Method
There are a few ways you can do a fast method. One way is to fill a crockpot with a few inches of water and put a mason jar with the dandelions oil in the crockpot and leave it on the warm setting for 12-24 hours. The other way is a double boiler method. You fill a pot up with 3-4 inches of water and place it on low heat, pour the dandelion oil in a glass pyrex measuring cup, and put it into the pot of warm water.
You want to keep the oil 100-120 degrees. Going over 120 degrees can cook the dandelion flowers. Keep this on low heat periodically adding more water as needed and also checking the temperature to make sure the oil does’t get too hot. You might have to turn the burner on and off so that the oil doesn’t get too hot. You want the oil warmed for about 4-6 hours. Once cooled you can strain with cheesecloth or a tea towel, I prefer tea towels because it filters the oil better. Sometimes teeny tiny pieces of flower can sneak through the cheesecloth thats why I prefer tea towels.
Easy Dandelion Oil Recipe
Equipment
- 1 stainless steel pot
- 1 glass pyrex measuring cup
- 1 small mesh strainer
- 1 tea towel or cheesecloth
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried dandelion flower heads
- 1 1/4 cup oil of your choice
Instructions
- Fill a pot up with 3-4 inches of water and place it on low heat, put the dandelions and the oil in a glass pyrex measuring cup, and put it into the pot of warm water. Keep the heat on low periodically checking the temperature of the oil. You want the oil warm not hot. Keep temp around 100-120 degrees F. It is ok to turn the stove off and let it cool down if the oil is getting too warm. Then reheat again as needed. Do this for 4-6 hours. The goal is to keep it warm enough to extract the healing properties from the flowers but you don't want to cook the dandelions. This is why you don't want the heat over 120 degrees F.Once the 4-6 hours is up and the oil has cooled you can strain through cheesecloth or a tea towel and bottle the oil. Store in a cool dark area. Toss flower tops into a compost pile or the garbage.
10 Ways To Use Dandelion Oil
- You can make a dandelion salve. Don’t be intimidated by making a salve. It is actually really simple. Colleen from Grow Forage Cook Ferment has a great recipe. A dandelion salve is great for sore muscles or dry cracked skin.
- You can use dandelion oil in a homemade soap recipe. The Nerdy Farm Wife has a lovely recipe. You can check it out here.
- You can use dandelion oil on hair for hair growth. The website nwannesbeauty.com has a recipe here.
- You can use it in lip balm recipes.
- Use dandelion oil for diaper rash. The oil has so many healing properties. You can apply the soothing oil and then sprinkle arrowroot powder, cornstarch, or bentonite clay on after.
- You can use it as a facial oil serum.
- You can use it for sunburn care.
- It can be used as a hair mask or hair oil to tame frizzy hair.
- It can be used as a skin moisturizer. You can mix it with lotion or shea butter. It is so good for your skin.
You can use dandelion oil in an herbal hemorrhoid suppository recipe. Generally, most herbal hemorrhoid suppository recipes call for coconut oil as one of the oils. So if you made your dandelion oil using coconut oil you can use that in your suppository recipe. What is great about dandelion oil is it can relieve painful hemorrhoids. Here is a recipe for herbal suppositories from The Herbal Academy which adapted its recipe from Aviva Romm.
As you can see there are many uses for dandelion oil. Have you ever used dandelions? Let me know in the comments.
Much Love,
Melissa
This website is for educational purposes only. The information provided by Renaissance Path is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases. Please consult a qualified health care professional for medical advice.
Awesome! I love infusing oils and finding uses for dandelions!
Me too!