As you can see from the photos below, our dandelion season is about over for this year. But, before it ends, I wanted to share how to make Dandelion Salve with you! Not only is it great for your skin, but it’s also good for soothing sore muscles, aches and pains, too.
In both my Dandelion Jelly and Dandelion Root Tincture recipes, I shared tons of the health benefits of dandelion, so I won’t go too far into that today.
However, as I’ve mentioned, Dandelion contains anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it perfect for soothing the skin and muscles!
Of course, consuming tons of sugary Dandelion Jelly or taking a Dandelion Root Tincture isn’t necessarily the best choice for ailments such as muscle aches and pains or skin issues like dry, chapped and cracked skin or minor cuts and scrapes.
For these types of issues, you’d be much better off with a salve to rub directly on the inflamed area.
Now, you could run out to the local health food store or head to Amazon and buy some Dandelion Salve, but why would you do that when you can make your own at home for next to nothing?
Making your own dandelion salve requires just 3 simple ingredients…dandelions, olive oil and beeswax. I mean, you could get a lot fancier, if you really wanted to, but it’s not at all necessary!
And to be honest, why would you want to?
When you’re in need of something for pain and/or inflammation, fast and easy is the best solution…every time! And most times, making it yourself is the fastest and easiest solution!
Please note: I am not a doctor and I am not claiming to treat, cure or otherwise heal anything using this Dandelion Salve. I’m simply sharing my recipe, along with the research I have found pertaining to the health benefits of the dandelion. The use of any herbal remedy could cause allergies and/or interactions with your medications. Please check with a medical professional before trying any herbal remedy.
So, let’s head out to pick some dandelions, because you’re going to need to start there…
Got your dandelions?
Awesome…now, we wait…it’s best to let your dandelions rest and wilt for a while before placing them into the oil.
But, while you’re waiting, you can prepare the rest of your supplies…
You’ll need the following:
- Extra Virgin Olive oil
- Organic Beeswax
- Essential oil – this is optional, however, it’s nice to add a pretty smell as the dandelion doesn’t have a strong scent (Choose an oil that also has anti-inflammatory properties like roman chamomile, clove, thyme, peppermint, rose, eucalyptus, fennel, ginger or bergamot)
- Cheese grater
- A medium pot – do not use metal
- Wooden spoon
- Small, wide mouthed containers with tight fitting lids, for storing the salve
Okay, your dandelions should be wilted by now, so let’s get started…
Put your dandelions and olive oil into a double boiler. No double boiler? Do what I did and use an oven safe glass bowl or Pyrex bowl over a pot of water instead.
When your greens start to look more brown than green, turn the burner off and carefully pour the hot oil into a strainer with a bowl underneath to collect the oil.
Save the oil and compost the dandelion discards.
Measure out 1/4 cup of beeswax.
Pour the beeswax into the warm oil and stir to combine.
Now is the time to add your Essential Oils. Don’t add too much…a little bit goes a long way! It might take a few minutes to get it all stirred in, but it will come together.
Pour the warm salve into containers with lids. I used a wide mouth quarter pint jar and a on old salve container that I washed out to reuse.
Wait patiently for it to solidify. It will happen! In a couple of hours…
Yay! Your Homemade Dandelion Salve is solid and ready to use!
Here’s the recipe:
How to Make Dandelion Salve
Ingredients
- 2 cups dandelion (stems, leaves and flowers)
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup beeswax
- Essential oils, optional
Instructions
- Place the dandelion and olive oil in the top of a double boiler.
- Pour an inch or so of water in the bottom of the double boiler.
- Heat on medium temperature until the water is boiling. Turn the temperature down to low and simmer for 40 minutes.
- Strain the dandelion, reserving the oil.
- Pour the beeswax into the warm oil and stir to combine.
- Add essential oils as desired.
- Pour into a container with a lid and allow your dandelion salve to cool and solidify.
Notes
Feel free to use Apricot Oil, Grapeseed Oil or even Coconut oil in place of the olive oil.
You never know when you’ll need to know!
You might also like:
- How to Make Dandelion Root Tincture
- How to Make a Ginger Tincture
- 7 Best Medicinal Herbs to Grow in Your Garden
Have an Awesome Day!
~Vanessa

Vanessa Hamlin is the owner and founder of Food Life Design and VLHamlinDesign. With her passion for frugal living and homesteading, Vanessa loves to write about easy recipes, making money, gardening, home remedies and everything else that a good life entails! When she’s not writing for Food Life Design or creating products for VLHamlinDesign, you’ll find Vanessa reading, drawing, gardening, cooking or spending time with her family.