How to Make a Healing Dandelion Salve | Don’t kill these weeds!

Don’t kill those precious dandelions! Learn how to cultivate the magic and healing of the dandelion with this DIY Healing Dandelion Salve.

Are you in the mindset that dandelions are a nuisance to your lush green grass and that they are weeds that should be sprayed and killed? 

If so, you are not alone in this modern belief, and I too have felt that most my life.  However, my journey in learning more about medicinal herbs and plants has led me to discover what a mighty force for good this hardy plant is. I’ve taken it upon myself to experiment and come to know the dandelion deeply well. 

Today I want to walk you through how to make a dandelion salve, that might also be rightfully called, “Nature’s Neosporin”. 

WATCH THIS POST

Watch my video to see me make this salve.

Quick disclaimer: none of my words have been approved by the FDA.  Always do your own research when gathering and using medicinal and therapeutic herbs.

This healing dandelion salve is so great to put on

• cuts
• scapes
• bruises
• acne
• rashes
• eczema
• sores

It even works as a topical pain reliever for an achey or tense body. I have truly been amazed to see it help heal me and my family.

Dandelions are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.  Each part has their own unique benefits and strengths.  When taken internally through teas and tinctures, you can really support your liver and kidney functions because it acts as a detoxifier. 

The roots and leaves act as a mild diuretic which can help with water retention, premenstrual bloating, inflammation, and digestion.  

Every part of the dandelion is full of benefits – namely the buds, the leaves and especially the roots. 

But for this salve, you only need to have the beautiful yellow buds.  In the spring I gathered a basket full with my kiddos and gathered and dried the leaves.  I’m waiting until fall to harvest my own roots, since I keep reading that is when they are the most medicinal.

Making this healing dandelion salve happens in 3 easy steps: 

1. Gather dandelion buds
2. Make an oil infusion
3. Make the salve

This is a fantastic beginner herbalist creation – so let’s get going on our healing dandelion salve!

GATHERING YOUR DANDELION BUDS

Of most importance is that you gather dandelion buds where you know for certain zero chemicals have been sprayed.  This is the case for all herbs and medicinal plants that you plan to use topically or internally. 

So avoid roadside areas or parks where you can’t be certain.  We have a plethora of dandelions on our property where we haven’t been able to get to any landscaping, as of yet.  So it is very wild and free, and great for growing dandelions effortlessly. 

If you simply can’t find a safe place to gather – or we are off season – here are a few places I like to shop for organic herbs.

• Mountain Rose Herbs
• Frontier Co-op
• Dandelions on Etsy or here

HOW TO MAKE A DANDELION HERBAL INFUSION

STEP 1: DRY YOUR DANDELIONS

You don’t want wet herbs for an oil infusion since the moisture can actually aid in bacterial growth. I’ve read you can use fresh herbs when making extracts with alcohol or vinegar, but with oils – dried herbs are best.

If it is a nice warm day, you can place them outside to dry in a basket or tray of sorts that allows for airflow on the bottom and top.  I invested in a layered hanging basket so I can do lots of herbs at a time. 

However, when I picked my dandelions in the spring, it was still pretty cold and wet outside so I dried them in a food dehydrator on super low heat until they felt completely dry.

STEP 2: COVER YOUR HERBS/DANDELIONS IN OIL

In a super clean glass jar, place your dried dandelions in the jar, with some head space.

Pour your oil of choice to completely submerge your dandelion buds.  You may need to use a spoon to push them down and release some air bubbles.

I use sweet almond oil because almond oil is generally less greasy and absorbs quickly.  I’ve bought it in bulk in the gallon sized bottles since I intend to experiment with lots of other herbs. 

You can use olive oil, fractionated coconut oil, avocado oil – whichever non-hydrogenated oil you prefer – or even a mix.  They all have their own benefits and properties, so do some research on that if you want to learn more about what oil will be best for you.

STEP 3: LABEL YOUR INFUSION

I like to list what plant and oil is in the jar, what date I started the infusion and what date it should be finished infusing.  I just tie a tag onto the jar, since this won’t be the finished product and the tag will be tossed.

STEP 4: PUT THE INFUSION IN A COOL DARK PLACE

A dark cupboard away from heat is a great place to infuse the oil.

You’ll want to keep infusing the oil for 4-6 weeks, and every few days go and gently shake the contents around.  This step takes some patience!

STEP 5: STRAIN THE INFUSED OIL

I find it works best to place a glass bowl or jar underneath a fine mesh strainer.  Then place some cheesecloth over the strainer. 

You’ll pour the oil and herbs into the cheesecloth and squeeze every last bit of dandelion magic out of those herbs.  It’s messy and smells so good!

You could actually use this oil now for salad dressings, or other soaps and body products.  However, we are making a salve with this infused oil, so I’ll show you the final process.

HOW TO MAKE A NATURAL DANDELION SALVE

SUPPLIES:

• Double boiler: If you don’t have an actual double boiler (like me), you can make the same set up using a pot of boiling water with a glass bowl over it. I only had a glass pie pan, so I made that work!
• Natural Beeswax Pellets (approximately 1 Tablespoon per cup of infused oil)
• Clean jars for your finished salve (I like these small 4 oz. ones)
• Lavender essential oil (optional, but it adds to the smell and antibacterial properties)

STEP 1: METL THE OIL AND WAX TOGETHER

Combine the beeswax pellets and infused oil into your double boiler.

You’ll want to slowly melt the beeswax into the oil.  Don’t let this actually boil – just keep stirring with a wooden spoon until all the wax is melted in.

The more wax you add, the harder the finished salve. I like it about the consistency of Neosporin so my 1 cup of infused oil to 1 TBSP to beeswax worked perfectly.

STEP 2: POUR INTO POURABLE GLASS MEASURING CUP

It helps to transfer the oils to a pourable glass measuring cup, if you have one.

STEP 3: ADD YOUR ESSENTIAL OIL

You need to make sure the oil and wax is cooled to at least 150 degrees before adding the essential oil.  I added about 10 drops into my oil. Then mix it all around to blend the oils.

STEP 4: POUR AND SET

Pour your salve into your finished jars and let it set.

This may take several hours to fully set, and then you can seal and label your jars.

I played around with adding some green linen fabric squares to the jars, which I thought was as cute as a dandelion. 

But, I found it also useful to add some parchment paper over the lids so I could write the date right on there to know how old my salve was.  I use an old-fashioned label maker to label each jar as “Nature’s Neosporin”.  

PRINTABLE RECIPE FOR HEALING DANDELION SALVE

You can print this recipe below! This allows you to start making your own herbal remedy notebook so you can always refer to what is in your products and go back and make your favorites again – much like a cookbook.

*I reserve my free printables for the members of my subscriber library! Sign up in the box above to get instant access to this printable and a library full of free printables for the keeper of the home. If you’ve already signed up, access to the library will be in every weekly email I send.

Next time you have a cut, sore or achy body – try rubbing your healing dandelion salve on! I’d love to hear your experience. I’ve successfully seen amazing results and relief using it on achy legs from lots of travel, headaches, tense neck, blemishes, dry patches on my skin, lower back pain, cuts on my kids, etc. I’m excited to have this in my apothecary cabinet to reach for to help heal our family naturally.

WARNING: Always test a small area for allergic reactions.

I have really enjoyed taking you along on my own personal journey of learning more about medicinal herbs. Please remember I am not an expert, but simply sharing what I learn and create.

Check out my other post on medicinal herbs to see what other things I’ve been making and having success with.

Let me know if you enjoy this type of content and if you would like to see more of the beginner type herb creations I am making.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to pin to your Pinterest boards to save this idea for later and help me spread the word!