DIY Dandelion Body Salve

How to Make a Homemade Double Infused Dandelion Body Salve with Essential Oils for Aches and Pain!

This homemade body ache relief salve works great for all kinds of pains and aches, including sore muscles!  I also like to use it to moisturize and nourish the dry areas of my skin. 

It is no fun suffering from chronic pain. A lot of times the over-the-counter type pain medications don’t work, or stop working after a period of time.

When pain medication doesn’t work life can become miserable! It is hard to function if one has chronic pain.

Whatever the cause of your pain may be, we all know that aches and pains from joints, muscles, sciatic nerve, etc. can be very daunting.

If you are looking for an alternative, or even an adjunct, to over-the-counter pain relievers a homemade salve like this may be for you. It is one that I find to be very effective for my body aches and pains.

When I make this recipe to help moisturize and nourish those dry patches of skin on my body I just leave out the essential oils.  I find it works wonders at helping my dry skin!

So What Makes this Homemade Pain Relief Salve Special?

You might be asking, what makes this homemade dandelion body salve special? I find it is because this is made with double infused dandelion flower oil. It also has essential oils that help with body pain and inflammation (Lavender, Chamomile, Juniper Berry, Mandarin and Ginger).

By double infusing the dandelion oil you get more of the natural healing properties from the dandelion flower. It may take a little longer to make, but I feel it is worth the extra time!

Each of the following essential oils has properties that help provide pain relief – they contain anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain relieving) properties!

Essential Oils Used

Lavender contains anti-inflammatory properties, which make it a potent pain reliever for diverse kind of pains such as muscle pain, skeletal pain and neuralgia.

Lavender is used widely for its analgesic properties, and its main constituent linalool has been well researched in this capacity.

Lavender’s calming and relaxing properties help to reduce inflammation, soothe sore muscles and relieve pains.

German and Roman Chamomile is used to help reduce inflammation and muscle spasms. (I used Roman Chamomile in my recipe, but either one works fine. Just note that if you use the German Chamomile essential oil the end product will probably be green in color!

German Chamomile has excellent anti-inflammatory properties, which are partly attributed to the presence of α-bisabolol and chamazulene. It can provide pain relief because of its anti-inflammatory actions.

Roman Chamomile is traditionally used for its analgesic quality, as well as, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.

Don’t use chamomile if you are allergic to ragweed because it can cause a similar reaction.

Juniper Berry is noted for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory use.

Due to its dominant monoterpenes properties, Juniper Berry essential oil is very useful for alleviating pain and inflammation.

Mandarin is rich in potent anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help to fight pain.

Studies have shown that a chemical property, the terpenes, found in mandarin essential oil, may help create analgesics in human therapy against pain.

Ginger is used traditionally for pain relief and inflammation.

It’s warm and spicy effect is soothing to inflamed and tight muscles. Ginger is helpful for increasing circulation, reducing inflammation and calming muscle spasms.

It is used to relieve the pains associated with rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and lupus.

When you add these essential oils to the double infused dandelion flower oil, which also has healing and anti-inflammatory properties, you have a 100% natural salve that can be used for pain relief.

This Diy Double Infused Dandelion Body Salve Can be Used for:

• • Sore muscles

• • Arthritis

• • Joint Pain

• • Inflammation

• • Pulled muscles

• • Strains and sprains

• • Body aches and pains

• • Dry, cracked skin (may leave out essential oils for this)

For headaches, check out my other article on how to make diy headache relief balm!

Safety When Using Essential Oils

Always, do a skin patch test prior to topically using an essential oil you have never used before! See my sections on essential oil safety:

• 8 Essential Oil Dangers and Risks
• How to Dilute Essential Oils for Topical Use
• Essential Oils that are Safe for Kids
• Essential Oils to Use During Pregnancy

How to Infuse Oils with Fresh Herbs

Before you make this dandelion body salve, you’ll need to infuse the carrier oil(s) with dandelion flowers.

Picking and Cleaning Dandelion Flowers

• Pick fresh, non-chemical sprayed, dandelion flowers (you need enough for two batches).
• Gently soak in cool tap water for a few minutes to get the debride and bugs off of the flowers.
• Put them in a large sieve and gently rinse again under running tap water.
• Lay the dandelion flowers on paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth to partially dry for 24-48 hours. I use a cooling rack under the paper towels to allow air to circulate better.

First Infusion

• Fill an 8-oz jelly jar about half full of cleaned and partially dried dandelion flowers.
• Cover the dandelion flowers with your carrier oil(s). I used sweet almond oil but I also recommend a mixture of half hemp seed oil and half grapeseed oil

There are no exact measurements for the infusion. Just make sure that the oil(s) completely covers the dandelion flowers.

To keep the infusion safe from bacteria and mold growth I use the heat method. (When infusing fresh herbs and flowers.) I also only make enough that I use up within 4 to 6 weeks.

• Place a canning jar ring on the bottom of a small saucepan filled with approximately 2 inches of water.
• Set the jelly jar with the dandelion flowers and oil on top of the canning jar ring. Do not place a cover over the oil. You want the water left in the flowers to evaporate.
• Heat for 6 to 8 hours over lowest temperature. It is recommended that you keep it under 110°F. (Note: You can use a slow cooker on the lowest setting instead. This method is preferred if you cannot maintain a temperature under 110°F.)

Take great caution when heating oil on the stove, or even in a slow cooker. It can splatter if not kept at low. Be mindful of keeping out of reach of small children.

• In 6 to 8 hours, strain the herbs out using a fine mesh sieve or cheese cloth.

Second Infusion

You will now start the second infusion using the already infused dandelion oil.

• Put the remainder of the clean and partially dried dandelion flowers in a clean jar. Cover the flowers with the newly infused dandelion oil (adding extra oil to cover flower completely if needed).
• Heat for another 6 to 8 hours over lowest temperature using the stove top method (or using a slow cooker).
• Strain the dandelion flowers out using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth.

The now double infused oil should have taken on a nice yellow color.

Discard the dandelion flowers because they have lost their therapeutic benefits. (You can add them to your compost pile if you have one.)

The oil will now have the benefits of the carrier oil(s) and the dandelion flowers after the infusion.

Substituting Dried Dandelion Leaves

Don’t have access to fresh dandelion flowers? You can use dried dandelion flowers (I find them on Etsy), or dried dandelion leaves instead.

Infuse the dried dandelion leaves just one time in oil. Fill an 8 oz glass jar 1/2 to 2/3 of the way full with dried dandelion leaves. Cover with oil. (Make sure oil is totally covering the leaves.)

Place lid on. Set in a sunny window for 3 to 4 weeks. Shake jar daily. Follow recipe as directed.

Homemade Dandelion Body Salve Recipe

You will Need

• 1/2 cup infused dandelion oil
• 1/2 OZ (by weight) organic beeswax
• 2 to 3 drops vitamin E oil (optional)
• 15 drops lavender essential oil
• 15 drops chamomile (roman) essential oil
• 6 drops green mandarin essential oil
• 5 drops juniper berry essential oil
• 4 drops ginger essential oil
• 2 oz glass or metal containers (this recipe makes approximately 5 ounces total)

If you just want to make a nourishing, moisturizing body salve – just leave out the essential oils.  This salve works great at moisturizing very dry areas of skin; such as, the heels, elbows, knees, etc.

Instructions

• Melt your beeswax over low heat in a double boiler on the stove (or small slow cooker)
• Add your double infused dandelion oil and stir until melted
• Remove from heat source
• Next, add the essential oils and Vitamin E
• Stir well. Reheat over low if needed
• Pour into clean glass or metal containers
• Stir lightly, and let cool before you place on the lid
• Allow to thicken
• Store at room temperature for best results

I always make smaller amounts each time as my salves do not have preservatives in them.

If you want to make larger quantities for yourself or others you may consider using a preservative.

Just use a small amount of the double infused dandelion body salve to massage the affected area when needed to help relieve the pain!

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not intend to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. It is always recommended that you seek the advise of your private medical doctor.