Dandelion Flower Infused Oil Making

There are many applications for Dandelion Flower Infused Oil. Here are but a few...

~ Apply oil directly onto irritated or inflamed skin, joints or muscles, with or without added essential oils as desired and as required, 2-4 x daily and consistently for therapeutic use.

~ Make oil into a balm by melting in beeswax or other plant waxes and butters at amounts to suit desired consistency, for a less greasy and more protective external application.

~ Blend with body and facial skin creams at 10-50% for a lighter and more absorbent skin application.

~ Use internally straight off the teaspoon up to 3 x daily as a nutrient and healing herbal remedy to promote tissue cleansing and healthy skin.

~ Drizzle on food as a base for a healthy detoxifying salad dressing, with apple cider vinegar, mustard, garlic, herbs, etc.

To make your own Dandelion Flower Infused Oil at home:

1. Pick lots of healthy looking dandelion flower heads, from a chemical spray free area. Bring a basket or paper bag to collect them in and protect them on the way home.

1a. Optional, but highly recommended extra step: I like to make some sort of nature art with them after picking, sit and connect with them on a picnic blanket and enjoy some tea or snacks near where they grow, do a bit of meditation, stretching, reading or journaling.

2. Make sure you use an appropriately sized, clean and completely dry jar sterilised by submerging jar and lid with freshly boiled water for 5-10min.

3. Fill jar with flower heads to the neck.

4. Cover with a cold pressed oil of your choice, ideally organic to minimise trace chemicals toxicity. I used sunflower in this one for its light texture and extra sunny solar powered energy, but you can use any oil you wish.

You could try grapeseed oil for something, nice and light, easily absorbed. Almond oil is a bit richer but still light and more nourishing. Olive oil is found in most kitchen cupboards, heavier and great for Vit E and anti fungal benefits, but flavour can be quite strong if you are making it for edible purposes. For external applications and dry skin, flavour is less important and richness may be more desirable.

4. Seal with lid (using dried flowers avoids mould growth, or secure piece of muslin over the top, and leave on sunny window sill for 2 weeks at least.

5. Give a shake, turn or stir daily with sterile spoon to ensure that no stagnant pockets of air and moisture from fresh flowers allow mould to develop.

As there is moisture in fresh flowers, it can be good to cover with muslin and rubber band or string to allow moisture to evaporate out. Using dried flowers avoids this issue, but loses some of the lovely fresh vital constituents. For fresh flowers and covered in muslin, stir instead of shake daily for obvious reasons!

If you use a lid on fresh flowers you may want to remove the lid every 2-3 days at first before shaking to check for water evaporation on the lid, leave off for a short while to allow any moisture to evaporate and reseal. Muslin not required when dried, but different if flavours fresh or dried. Either
way promotes healing however so do whatever works best for you. It's all good :)

6. Flowers will settle and shrink a bit, so you can add some fresh ones to top it up after a few days. For an extra potent oil, strain off and press out as much oil as possible after a couple of weeks, and repeat the process using the single infused oil with a fresh jar full of dandelion flowers to make a double infused oil.

7. Strain off through fine sieve, muslin or clean cloth into a sterile bottle or jar, seal well and store in a cool, dry, dark cupboard and use as required. Use within 12 months.

Note: Do not use for anyone with known sensitivities to the Daisy family, aka Asteraceae, Compositae.

One person's healing medicine can be another person's poison, so do patch tests before 24hr before using, particularly for those with sensitive skins. We are all individual and may react differently. This applies to any plant remedy. Check with your local herbalist for guidance.

If you haven't already checked out my dandelion remedies blog for more medicinal benefits and musings on the whole dandelion plant, you can do so here.

I'd love to hear your creative uses and experiences for dandelion flower oil. Do please share your thoughts with me in the comments or social media links below. I look forward to hearing from you :)

Have a sunshiny dandelion day,

Fiona Morris 

Herbalist & Holistic Therapist

www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk

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Back to Balance with Indian Head Massage

Many of our modern day stresses and strains promote a great amount of tension in our upper body, particularly our head, neck, back and shoulders. Our busy minds are juggling various daily tasks. Our mobiles beep continuously keeping us on constant alert. Emails and messages require our immediate attention.

When we neglect to balance these stressors with rest and relaxation, over time this may lead to long term physical aches and pains, health problems, persistent mental and emotional worry. We find our energy levels, mood, concentration, productivity and general well being gradually wearing down.

What can we do to bring ourselves back into balance?

I have recently added Indian Head Massage to my holistic health care practice, and have found that it serves as a highly beneficial treatment to integrate into my client's lifestyle and holistic treatment plans, helping people bring balance to their busy lives. 

Image courtesy of Aga Machnikowvska

Indian Head Massage has been practiced in India for over 1000 years, based on the ancient Ayurvedic healing system. This deeply relaxing therapy is a fully clothed and seated treatment so can be done anywhere. This massage focuses on the head, neck, back, shoulders, arms, face & ears. A session typically lasts 45-60 minutes, but shorter sessions of 15-30 minutes can also help restore us to a feeling of improved health and wellness.

Benefits may include:

• Improved circulation
• Relief from muscular tension
• Easing headaches & migraine
• Improving eye strain
• Promoting hair growth
• Soothing stress & emotional pain
• Supporting periods of intense study or activity
• Enhanced relaxation
• Deeper sleep

You may choose from a range of my own lovingly hand made aromatic herbal balms that I apply to your neck and shoulders to ease muscle tension and uplift your spirits. People have loved these balms so much that I now make up the balms of your choice fresh to order. 

Herbal balms include: 

• Arnica, Black Pepper, Cinnamon & Ginger
• Nutmeg, Ginger & Lemongrass
• Cardamon & Rose
• Lavender & Chamomile
• Grapefruit, Lemon & Orange
• Specially customised to order

After treatments my clients have reported feeling less stress at work, improved mental clarity and focus, a release of symptoms of physical tension, and a good night's sleep. Everyone is different, for some they benefit from regular treatments on a weekly basis. For others, maintenance treatments every 2-4 weeks helps to keep energy levels and sense of work-life balance on an even keel.

Your session ends with a reviving chakra balancing energy healing if you wish.

I practice Indian Head Massage in clinics around Edinburgh and home visits. Click here for venues.

Book in with me today and ask about my special offers!

To your flourishing health & well being,

Fiona