Dandelions

A garden weed or natures prolific healer?

We use natural skincare because we trust in the natural world to heal, to nurture and to nourish. Because the common garden weed is not simply a menace to a well maintained lawn, it is also a pit stop for the weary bumble bee. It is the signaller of spring - of brighter days to come. A medicine that can be ingested to promote liver, kidney and gut health. A little ray of sun that can be distilled into tinctures, salves and balms. Packed full of vitamins, it is nature's healer; applied topically to treat cuts, bruises and sore muscles, and importantly, to revitalize our skin. With anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, the Dandelion proves to be a powerhouse when used in your daily skincare. Helping to plump, balance and brighten the skin.

Dandelions, also known as cankerwort, milk witch, and by its Latin name; Taraxacum officinalis, is a wild flower native to Eurasia and North America. Hated by gardeners and loved by Herbalists, the common dandelion has been used for centuries for its restorative + healing properties

Perhaps unique in its make up, with roots that can be cooked in the same way we do carrots, and an ingenious seed dispersal system, we find dandelions scattered on the rolling hills of the countryside and creeping through the cracks in the pavement. It’s no wonder then that this persistent herb has made its way into herblore. Boasting a vast array of healing properties, from the kitchen to our bathroom cupboards

And so the humble dandelion has become a staple in many a herbalists arsenal. But how do we store, preserve and utilize this wondrous weed? Luckily the process is simple, and their abundance makes the process that much easier. All we need is a tray, some patience, and a well lit window.

Start by scattering your flowers, leaves and roots on a tray, making sure that each has enough space so as to not crowd the others. Leave them to dry out in a well ventilated room where they are out of reach of small hands or pets; the common dandelion isn't poisonous, but some people have been known to have adverse reactions. Drying is an integral part of the process, as the excess water can lead to a dilution of our infusion and possibly cause it to spoil, so err on the side of caution at this point, if you're not sure, leave them a couple more days before you get to work.

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We begin by making a simple oil infusion, you can take your pick of carrier oils - olive oil, sunflower, almond or argan. Simply pour your carrier oil into a sterilized Kilner jar and add a handful of your dried Dandelions - you’ll want to aim for a ratio of 2 / 3 herbs to oil at this point. A slow infusion will need to sit for at least four weeks, and given a gentle shake every couple of days.

Alternatively you can speed up the process by popping the jar upright in a pot of water and bringing it to a very gentle simmer for around 1 hour. Be extra careful if you want to take this step and always use heat resistant gloves

You Will Need:

1 x Sauce pan or bain-marie
2 x Kilner jars or similar
A Rubber Spatula
Sterilized Tins or Jars (you can use rubbing alcohol or simply give them a good rub down with washing up liquid
Heat protective gloves
A fine sieve or cheese cloth

Once your oil infusion is ready it’s time to get to work - In this recipe we’re keeping it simple, just 100ml of our infusion blended with 25g of beeswax. You can substitute this for a soy or candelilla wax if you prefer. Some people like to add 2/3 drops of essential oil (something light and fragrant like lavender or geranium would go perfectly) but this step is totally optional.

Start by straining your infusion from one Jar to another, using a fine mesh sieve or cheese cloth is perfect for this. Try to remove as much of the dried herb as possible to create a smooth consistency in your balm, but don’t worry too much if a few strands get through

In a bain-marie pour combine your oil and wax and gently melt together on a low heat, making sure not to let them boil. Once everything is combined you can add your chosen essential oils and give it a good stir. Using your rubber spatula you can now pour your balm into pre-sterilized tins or jars and leave them somewhere safe to cool down (using the fridge will speed up this process)

And there you have it, your very own handmade balm; infused by you and powered by nature. Keep it handy to rub on rough patches of skin, bruises, abrasions and scrapes. The beeswax keeps the consistency of this balm but also acts as a barrier between your skin and the elements, so it's perfect to apply to cheeks on a blustery day.