How To Make Dandelion Calendula Salve At Home
Here in the midwest, the very first plant to welcome warmer weather in the spring are dandelions. While some people consider them a pest, I see them as the first sign of spring life and health. They have become one of my favorite plants! Bees and other insects need dandelions because they are one of the first plants to flower in the spring. The entire dandelion plant has healing properties which I will discuss in this post. Have you ever wondered how to make dandelion calendula salve? If so, this post is for you!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please read my full disclosure policy here.
Who knew something so common as a dandelion could be so healing? Packed with anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidants, potassium, and many other health benefits, this little plant is a force to be reckoned with! I make this amazing homemade dandelion salve every spring. I call it my “Sunbeam Salve” because the fresh dandelions are such a sunny yellow color when picked. They make the salve a very bright yellow as well!
Why You Will Love This Salve Recipe
Easy to make: This recipe is perfect for beginners. The process to make it is very simple, making it the perfect introduction recipe to herbal salves.
Simple ingredients: The ingredients in this recipe are very simple. It uses 2 very common plants you can either wild harvest (pick from your backyard) or buy. The carrier oils in this recipe can be changed to whatever you have on hand.
Quick: This recipe can be made in a pinch and used right away!
Non-Toxic: This recipe is completely non-toxic and safe to use on all ages, even pets!
All Natural: This recipe uses all-natural ingredients
Customizable: You can swap out whatever oils you want, sub candelilla wax if you want this recipe to be vegan, or add your favorite essential oils to fragrance the balm.
Let’s talk about some of the main benefits of dandelions and calendula before diving into this recipe.
Dandelion, (Taraxacum officinale):
Dandelion flowers are one of the most common lawn plants in the US. Their bright yellow petals that transform into whimsical puffballs of seeds are easy for anyone to recognize. While many consider this plant a pest, they are one of my favorite medicinal herbs!
The entire dandelion plant can be eaten petals, stem, leaves and roots. A note: Be cautious when eating any plant and make sure you know 100% what the plant is before consuming. Each part of the dandelion has different health benefits. In a 2015 study it was noted that the petals and leaves had the more effect when applied as extract to skin than the roots did. I love using dandelion leaves and roots for digestive bitter tinctures, and the flowers for dandelion honey and salve recipes.
The dandelion plant contains potassium, and antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, can help reduce cholesterol and regulate blood sugar, promote liver health, aid in digestion, are anti-fungal, and in a 2015 study it was suggested that dandelions could effectively help protect skin from sun damage.
What a powerful little plant! The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and UV protective properties of dandelion make it an excellent choice to add to any skincare recipe!
Topically, dandelion is considered useful for:
- Sunburns
- Minor cuts, Burn and wound healing
- Bruises
- Eczema
- Diaper rash
- Dry/chapped skin
- Fungal skin issues
- Sore muscles
- Achy joints
- Skin irritations
CALENDULA, (CALENDULA OFFICINALIS L.):
Calendula flowers can vary in color from whitish, light yellow, bright orange, to darker orange. The petals can be full color, or streaked. Calendula very closely resembles a daisy.
Calendula is a must-have plant for any herb garden. It is very easy to grow, beautiful, and has a multitude of healing properties. If I could summarize calendula in one word, that word would be HEALING.
The calendula plant contains: triterpenoids, glycosides, carotenoids, volatile oil, amino acids, steroids, sterols, quinines, flavonoids, and saponins.
The chemical make-up of this plant promotes multiple biological effects such as anti-inflammatory, wound healing, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant activities. Additionally, calendula can be used in cases of burns and other skin conditions.
Calendula is edible, the leaves can be steeped in tea, added to broth, or to add a pop of color to cakes or salads. Calendula oil is excellent for any skincare recipe.
Topically, Calendula is considered useful for:
- Burn & wound healing
- Sunburns
- Bug bites & stings (mosquito bites, spider bites, flea bites etc.)
- Diaper rash cream
- Eczema
- Fungal infections
- Skin moisturizers
- Lip Balms
- Irritated skin
- Dry Skin
- Skin Rashes
WHERE TO GET HERBS FROM?
As far as getting the plants for this recipe, dandelions are often easy to find out in your backyard or local park. The best thing is, they are free! It’s important to note that bees need dandelions especially in early spring when other flowers haven’t bloomed. So do not wipe your entire lawn of the precious flower heads, leave some for nature!
A note: be sure to use plants that have not been sprayed with chemicals. Calendula you can plant in your garden, or buy online. I like to get my dried herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs. (I am not a sponsor of Mountain Rose Herbs I simply like their products.)
FAQ: SALVE COLOR MAY VARY:
Why is my salve dark green, light green, yellow or almost white?
The carrier oil you use will impact the color of your salve. Some oils are very yellow like olive oil, very green like avocado oil or grape-seed oil, or very white like coconut oil.
Additionally, the color can also be effected by your herbal oil infusion method. If you use the slow method of dried herbs in oil, the color will be much lighter. If you use the quick method of heat extraction, the color can vary from light to dark green based on the heat, temperature and whether the plants were fresh or dried.
Beeswax can also affect the color of the salve. If you use more or less wax, the color will be lighter or darker.
The color of the salve should not impact how effective the herbal infusion is on the skin.
WHY USE BEESWAX?
Beeswax provides multiple benefits to salve. It is a moisturizer, antibacterial, and it contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
In addition to adding skin benefits, beeswax also helps solidify the oils so that they are less messy when applied to the skin and easier to store.
In order to make a vegan product, you can substitute candelilla wax (derived from leaves) for beeswax. Use half the amount you would beeswax in the recipe.
HOW TO INFUSE OILS:
You need to infuse the herbs in oil for this recipe. I have a comprehensive blog post all about infusing herbs in oil here. For you to check out before making this recipe.
There is a slow infusion method and quick infusion method to suit your timeline and needs for this recipe.
I will briefly describe how to do both methods here:
For this recipe:
1/2 cup dried calendula petals
1/2 cup dried dandelion petals
2 cups carrier oil (I use olive oil)
LONG METHOD-HOW TO HERBALLY-INFUSE OIL:
Place dried herbs or spices into a clean, dry quart jar. Leave at least 1 to 3 inches of headspace over your herbs to completely submerge with oil
Fill jar with your base oil of choice, making sure to cover the plant material by at least 1 inch. Herbs naturally float to the top, if there is space add more oil. If they still are at the top periodically shake the jar to keep all herbs submerged.
place the lid on the jar tightly and shake well
Place the jar in an area where it will be in direct sunlight like a windowsill at warm to room temperature.
Shake once a day, or more if you think of it.
After 4-6 weeks, (or longer if you desire) strain the herbs out of the oil using a tea towel or cheesecloth. Make sure to squeeze the plants at the end to get as much oil as possible.
QUICK METHOD HOW TO INFUSE OIL:
Place dried herbs or spices into a clean, dry quart jar. Leave 1 inch of headspace over your herbs to completely submerge with oil
Fill jar with your oil of choice, making sure to cover the plant material by at least 1 inch. Herbs naturally float to the top.
Place a few cups of water into the bottom of the saucepan or crockpot (you want there to be a few inches off water around the sides of the jar). Submerge a small towel or some canning lid rings into the pot or crockpot.
Place your jar full of herbs into the pot or crockpot on the towel or canning rings and make sure the glass isn’t touching the bottom of the saucepan or crockpot directly.
Cook on the lowest setting preferably between preferably between 100° and 140° F for 1 to 8 hours, until the oil takes on the color and scent of the herb.
Remove from heat and cool oil
Once oil has cooled, strain the herbs out of the oil using a tea towel or cheesecloth. Make sure to squeeze the plants at the end to get as much oil as possible.
Materials Needed To Make Dandelion Calendula Salve:
Ingredients:
Dandelion and calendula infused olive oil ( see oil infusion recipe above)
Water (for double broiler)
Tools:
Saucepan
Glass bowl
Spatula
Measuring spoons
Kitchen scale
How To Make Dandelion Calendula Healing Herbal Salve:
Place saucepan on stove, fill with water.
Put glass bowl on top of saucepan to create double boiler.
Heat water to boiling, then lower to med/med high
Measure your herbal oils and beeswax into the glass bowl
Stir mixture until beeswax pellets are completely dissolved.
Pour hot salve directly into containers for storage. Or, pour hot mixture into liquid measuring cup then into containers for storage ( a small jar like a pint jar will work well for this!
Allow salve to cool before putting lid on it.
This salve is ready to use right away.
Storage: store in a cool dark place, away from direct sunlight. The salve can melt in warm temperatures and be messy so store at room temperature. You can also store this dandelion salve in your refrigerator which will make it extra soothing for sunburns.
How to use dandelion calendula salve?
Apply this homemade salve directly to affected area. Reapply as desired, adding a band-aid on top sometimes helps.
I consider this an all purpose salve because of its abundance of healing properties. It is my favorite salve to gift to new mothers for babies dry skin, any fungal/yeast issues, and diaper rashes. I also like to use it for sunburns, minor cuts, and achy muscles.
HOW LONG DOES THIS SALVE LAST?
This salve has a shelf life of one year minimum. Possibly 2 or more if stored correctly. Check for any off smell or discoloration before use. The best way to prevent rancid oil is to store in a cool dry place. Salve can melt in warm temperatures and be messy so keep away from any direct heat source. Adding a few drops of pure vitamin E oil can also extend the shelf life of your salve.
HOW TO SCENT YOUR BALM:
Add a few drops of your favorite pure essential oils to the carrier oils in your recipe if you would like to scent this salve. Lavender essential oil, is common to use with dandelion and calendula.
Dandelion Calendula Sunbeam Salve Recipe
Equipment
- Jars for storing salve
- Saucepan
- Glass bowl
- Spatula
- Glass measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Kitchen scale
Materials
- 1/2 cup dried calendula petals
- 1/2 cup dried dandelion petals
- 2 cups carrier oil I use olive oil
- 2.5 oz Beeswax
Instructions
- You need infused oil for this recipe. There are 2 different methods, choose the one that works best for you.
- LONG METHOD-HOW TO HERBALLY-INFUSE OIL:
- Place dried herbs or spices into a clean, dry quart jar. Leave at least 1 to 3 inches of headspace over your herbs to completely submerge with oil
- Fill jar with your base oil of choice, making sure to cover the plant material by at least 1 inch. Herbs naturally float to the top, if there is space add more oil. If they still are at the top periodically shake the jar to keep all herbs submerged.
- place the lid on the jar tightly and shake well
- Place the jar in an area where it will be in direct sunlight like a windowsill at warm to room temperature.
- Shake once a day, or more if you think of it.
- After 4-6 weeks, (or longer if you desire) strain the herbs out of the oil using a tea towel or cheesecloth. Make sure to squeeze the plants at the end to get as much oil as possible.
- QUICK METHOD HOW TO INFUSE OIL:
- Place dried herbs or spices into a clean, dry quart jar. Leave 1 inch of headspace over your herbs to completely submerge with oil
- Fill jar with your oil of choice, making sure to cover the plant material by at least 1 inch. Herbs naturally float to the top.
- Place a few cups of water into the bottom of the saucepan or crockpot (you want there to be a few inches off water around the sides of the jar). Submerge a small towel or some canning lid rings into the pot or crockpot.
- Place your jar full of herbs into the pot or crockpot on the towel or canning rings and make sure the glass isn’t touching the bottom of the saucepan or crockpot directly.
- Cook on the lowest setting preferably between preferably between 100° and 140° F for 1 to 8 hours, until the oil takes on the color and scent of the herb.
- Remove from heat and cool oil
- Once oil has cooled, strain the herbs out of the oil using a tea towel or cheesecloth. Make sure to squeeze the plants at the end to get as much oil as possible.
- How To Make Dandelion Calendula Healing Herbal Salve:
- Place saucepan on stove, fill with water.
- Put glass bowl on top of saucepan to create double boiler.
- Heat water to boiling, then lower to med/med high
- Measure your herbal oils and beeswax into the glass bowl
- Stir mixture until beeswax pellets are completely dissolved.
- Pour hot salve directly into containers for storage. Or, pour hot mixture into liquid measuring cup then into containers for storage ( a small jar like a pint jar will work well for this!
- Allow salve to cool before putting lid on it.
- This salve is ready to use right away.
- Storage: store in a cool dark place, away from direct sunlight. The salve can melt in warm temperatures and be messy so store at room temperature. You can also store this dandelion salve in your refrigerator which will make it extra soothing for sunburns.
- How to use dandelion calendula salve?
- Apply this homemade salve directly to affected area. Reapply as desired, adding a band-aid on top sometimes helps.
- I consider this an all purpose salve because of its abundance of healing properties. It is my favorite salve to gift to new mothers for babies dry skin, any fungal/yeast issues, and diaper rashes. I also like to use it for sunburns, minor cuts, and achy muscles.
Notes
CONTAINER OPTIONS:
I store my dandelion calendula salve to sell in 1oz. and 2.oz amber glass jars. For our personal use, you can store it simply in any glass jar.
Dandelion calendula salve sticks : you can order plastic lip balm tubes or deodorant containers to make this salve into readily available anti-itch sticks for on-the-go. I like to have some available in lip balm tubes for during hikes in the great outdoors.
References:
Calendula – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10142266
Dandelion (evidence based) – https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324083#keeping-skin-healthy
Benefits 2 – https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/dandelion-benefits
Dandelion study – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4630464/
Donveyfarms.com offers no guarantee for the accuracy and completeness of the information. Disclaimer: I am not a medical expert. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice because of something you have read on this Website Donveyfarms.com. Any application of the material provided is at the reader’s discretion and is his or her sole responsibility. Effective as of 12/10/2024
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This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please read my full disclosure policy here
