This golden herbal infused oil is yet another use for our friend the Dandelion. This time it’s the flowers which are good for aching muscles and joints.
Infused oils can be made from many different herbs for many
different reasons. For instance, Calendula or Marigold petals make a wonderful
healing oil for inflammation and dry irritated skin. Rose petals are used as a
cooling and nourishing oil that is exquisitely scented.
I found the details for this infused oil in one of my favorite books Hedgerow Medicine by
Julie Burton-Seal and Matthew Seal.
When you have picked your Dandelion flower heads leave them out on some
paper so that any wild life can escape. Then fill a jam jar with the blossoms
and cover completely with either olive oil or sweet almond oil. Each time you
check your oil over the next couple of weeks make sure that the flowers are
submerged under the oil or they may go moldy.
Cover the jar with a piece of muslin so that any moisture from the
flowers can escape into the atmosphere.
Place your jar on a sunny windowsill (we only seem to have
rainy windowsills at the moment but I’m sure it will brighten up!) and leave
for 2 weeks. Then strain off the oil leaving any watery residue in the jar,
pour into sterilised bottles and label with the date and name of the oil. Store
in a cool dark place.
Your oil can be combined with Rosemary essential oil for a
warming muscle rub using 1 drop of essential oil to every 5mls of infused oil.
You could also make an Dandelion oil ointment, which is
really simple to make, check it out on my website.
Have fun.
Botanicalbird
So there is a use for my back garden which has more dandelions than grass...
ReplyDeleteBizarrely dandelions was the first medicinal plant use I ever learned because of the French term pisenlit. Diuretic I take it?
You're right, Dandelion is diuretic, but unlike prescription diuretics Dandelion doesn't effect potassium levels, good eh!
Delete