A Dandy Old Time

It's that time of year. Flowers are blooming, rain is drizzling on the roof, the sun is up before you and doesn't go down until you're all but comfy in your bed, and even then a moody blue glow is still prevalent in your windows- Summer we are coming for you. If you've already been playing around outdoors you've probably notice the oranges, yellows, and blues, of flowers that paint the hills and meadows. One in particular stands out among them, we all know what it is, we can probably recognize it anywhere- a dandelion.

While some might scoff at the pesky weed, which I will be the first to admit that I don't think it is particularly pretty, I do recognize the importance of this fully edible plant, for the environment, and ourselves. First thing first, you can impress all of your friends by identifying it by it's botanical name, Taraxacum officinale. As previously mentioned, the entire part of the plant is edible from root to flower. The leaves can make a great green salad base with the yellow petals sprinkled over, and hey, top it off with some dandelion vinaigrette (see recipe below).

Not only is it edible as a salad and dressing, you can also steep it for a tasty tea tonic. Leaves and flowers can be steeped in hot water for 10 minutes and strained. The leaves are shown to be a great diuretic and helpful for flushing out toxins, without depleting your body of all its potassium. The roots can also be used to make tea, and once you harvest you can cut and dry the roots and make a decoction to support your gastrointestinal unit, skin, and ultimately help detoxify your body leading to overall improved health.

The list of things you can do with dandelions goes on! Eat it, drink it, infuse it in some oil. Infusing it helps extract many of the benefits that can later be used in skincare products. There are many ways to infuse- either hot or cold. Check out the recipes below! Once you have your infused oil you can also begin to explore the world of soaps, salves, and lotion making. Check out my chap-stick recipe to get started.

HOW TO HARVEST
Before you begin experimenting with fun recipes you have to first get your dandelions. I realize they are everywhere, but while seemingly rampant, these flowers are important to the environment and sustaining local ecosystems, so you are teetering with a delicate balance that you should be prudent with and harvest with caution. I will also add that picking wildflowers from public land is against the law, and even if a couple flowers here and there seem harmless to you, if everyone thought that and picked flowers before they seed, or before pollinators can get to them it can effect the delicate balance as well. Many of us are bound to have them in our backyard, or a neighbors, or along a sidewalk nearby- make sure to ask permission from someone's property, and also be cautious of chemicals or fertilizers used in your city before ingesting. 

When it comes to what and how to harvest I recommend leaving the root behind and just going for the leaves and flower. The root will have a chance to grow another flower, and you can always receive the benefits provided by the roots by ordering bulk herbs that are sustain-ably and safely sourced from our store. Call in to 208-232-5250 to order.  Not harvest the roots make it easier on you, the plant, and your local habitats. 

Once harvested you can lay the leaves, stems, and flowers out to dry for 12-24 hours before beginning to infuse or use for tea. This helps any excess water in the plants dry up avoiding mold in your infusions.

Note: Dandelions are generally regarded as safe. If you are on diuretics, are pregnant, nursing, or may become pregnant, or on medication, check with a health care provider before using internally. If you’re allergic to dandelions avoid all products.

Dandelion Infused Oil
Infusions make great skincare products, bases for other blends and crafts, and overall are a fun way to use herbs besides in food! Dandelions are thought to be helpful for skin conditions like acne or psoriasis and in bringing relief muscle aches and pain. 

Hot: After drying for 12 hours insert about 1 cup of flowers and leaves into a glass dish with enough oil to cover the tops of them. Insert that glassware into a pot/pan of simmering water- enough to reach the line of the mixture inside the glass, but not so much that it spills in. Careful not to let it get too hot so you don't scorch anything, and that the water in the pan doesn't evaporate. Simmer it for about 10-15 minutes the strain the herbs. Let the mixture cool you are ready to use!

Cold: After 24 hours of drying take an 8 oz mason jar and fill it halfway with leaf and bud. I covered the herb with Grapeseed oil because I was going to use this as a light weight body oil and Grapeseed fits this profile. You can also opt for olive oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, apricot oil, ect. Some recommend filling the jar to the top, but I just made sure the herb was adequately covered. I set mine in a sunny windowsill for a week, and after 10 days it was ready to use. You can also stow it a dark cupboard for 2-3 weeks before using. Shelf life is generally 1 year, but I have other plans for this mixture so I don't think it will even last that long.

I absolutely love this infusion. I feel like it creates a good balance of being able to use the natural world around me in helpful skin preparations, and doing so at a low harm rate with an herb that so many consider a pest! This oil is light, but I use it to keep my legs moisturized during the warm months. It creates a good balance for me since Pocatello is often so dry, but keeps my legs from being too oily and dripping gobs of lotion when it gets hot. The smell is really pleasant too! But if you're not a fan you can add some Essential Oil drops to it- and also providing added skin benefits. Something like Lavender or Frankincense would be great skin additions and you would only need a few drops to help being the scent around to your liking. 

Chap-stick, lotions, soaps, and more!

So now you have an oil infusion- the fun doesn't stop there! I took my new infusion a step further and decided to make a chap-stick.

This one is a fun and easy recipe to do with kids and if you're a Pocatello local it's a great chance to use local beeswax from Macy's Apples and Hives. You should adjust the proportions to how many chap-sticks you want to make. This recipe is great for 1 oz portion which is just enough for one person but would not be enough for a big crafting party. 

Recipe:
.2 oz of beeswax- like four cubes from Macy's
1 oz of your Dandelion Infused oil

Pull out your double boiler, or glass bowl and pot with water. Drop your beeswax in the glass bowl, and turn up the heat just to get the water in the pot to a boil. Let the beeswax start to melt first, as it is slower, then add in your infused oil when over half is melted. I stirred this mixture with a wooden popsicle stick- great to have on hand for these projects. Once the mixture is all melted you can let it cool for a minute or two (but not too long or it will harden!) then distribute into your container of choosing- preferably glass. You can choose to add 3-5 drops of Essential Oil if you want to have another scent besides dandelion but if you find it pleasant, once its cooled it's ready to go! Not only great for lips, it is also a good hand salve for rock climbers, weight lifters, and people who use their hands for work. 

This is the only recipe I have tried, so far, but I found some other fun projects you can always try here: 

https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/dandelion-shampoo-bars-recipe/
https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/handmade-dandelion-soap-crock-pot-method/
https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/dandelion-lotion-bars/

Dandelion Vinaigrette
You have one mason jar for the oil, and another one for the vinegar. Fill the second jar full, but not packed down, with dandelion flowers and leaves, then cover with apple cider vinegar to the top. Use wax paper to seal the top before adding the lid and storing in a dark cool place for about a month. You can shake it occasionally, but it isn't necessary. Once it's been a month take it out and strain. Mix the infused vinegar with about a tablespoon of honey and cayenne (if you like the spice)- or any spices of your choice. Mix together well then top your next salad and enjoy!

If you're in Pocatello we would love to see you at the Farmers market, June 8th! We will be there with a booth and you can come get your dandelion root for tea time!

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

This post was written by:

Savannah Rose

Graphic Designer/ Photographer

Time Laboratories