Harvesting Dandelions
Those bright yellow weeds that seem to pop up overnight in own lawns are far more than just the weeds we commonly refer them to. Get ready to have your mind blown with some wonderful facts that I'm hoping will change your mind about the way you view this plant.Dandelions are far more nutritional than kale or spinach, they are packed full of vitamins and antioxidants that has super benefits to your body and your skin. Just half a cup of dandelion greens has more calcium than a glass of milk! Their greens are a fabulous source of vitamins C, A and K. Because dandelions are rich in potassium, this makes them a perfect diuretic and an excellent blood detoxifier.
Now I know as a child we referred to them as "wet the beds". They are in fact, great for water retention because of their detoxifying properties. Is this why we called them "wet the beds" do you think???
If like me, you want to harvest your own dandelions ensure you do so from an area you know is free from pesticides and is not threaten from chemicals at all. Ideally away from popular walkways and dog routes (if you catch my drift?).
Today, in sunny Norfolk, UK, I have chosen to harvest mine from my own drive and front lawn. Its better to harvest them in Spring time when they are young. They seemed to have popped up over night, as they do. So I took myself off outside in the glorious weather along with a tray to collect my flowers.
Now the root and the leaves have wonderful benefits too. The root, and the flower heads, can be used to make medicinal tea to aid digestion, muscular aches and pains and bloating too. Simply add to a clean cup and pour over boiling water. Allow to steep for 2-3 minutes, pop a plate over the cup to keep the steam inside and avoid loosing all the goodness from the plant. The plant can taste quite bitter. So add a little honey or sweetener to cut the bitterness.
The leaf can be used in salads, to add a different flavour to your regular salad leaves. You can also use fresh or dried flower petals to decorate your salads and desserts with a burst of sunshine yellow. Today, I am just collecting the blooms and using them to make my own oil infusion so that I can use it directly on my skin and in my artisan soaps, balms and scrubs.
Today, in sunny Norfolk, UK, I have chosen to harvest mine from my own drive and front lawn. Its better to harvest them in Spring time when they are young. They seemed to have popped up over night, as they do. So I took myself off outside in the glorious weather along with a tray to collect my flowers.
Eating & Drinking Dandelions
Now the root and the leaves have wonderful benefits too. The root, and the flower heads, can be used to make medicinal tea to aid digestion, muscular aches and pains and bloating too. Simply add to a clean cup and pour over boiling water. Allow to steep for 2-3 minutes, pop a plate over the cup to keep the steam inside and avoid loosing all the goodness from the plant. The plant can taste quite bitter. So add a little honey or sweetener to cut the bitterness.
The leaf can be used in salads, to add a different flavour to your regular salad leaves. You can also use fresh or dried flower petals to decorate your salads and desserts with a burst of sunshine yellow. Today, I am just collecting the blooms and using them to make my own oil infusion so that I can use it directly on my skin and in my artisan soaps, balms and scrubs.
How to prepare your dandelions for infusions
Once you have picked your amount of blooms you can dry them out using a dehydrator or, like me, lay them out on some greaseproof paper in a single layer and place them outside in the midday sunshine to dry out. I did bring mine in over night and then added them to the outdoors for a few more hours the following day to ensure they were thoroughly dried out. Once dried add them to a clean, jar that has a sealed lid to begin your oil infusion.- Pour your oil over the dried blooms and fill to the top of the jar leaving approx 1 cm gap from the rim to allow for the oil to be mixed around. You need to ensure there are no air bubbles as this may encourage mould to grow.
- You want to fill the jar half way with blooms and then add a carrier oil of your choice such as Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil or Avocado oil. All of which are great oils to use topically on the skin or incorporated into a salve, balm or a soap or scrub, which is how I intend on using mine. For mine I will be using Olive Oil as its one of my favourites for all uses.
- Using a wooden, not metal stick or spoon to slowly mix the blooms in with the oil. Making sure the blooms are fully covered with the oil. Mixing slowly will make sure minimal amounts of air bubble are created.
- Pop the lid on and label with the contents/oil and the date.
- Place this jar in a sunny spot such as a window sill in the conservatory or kitchen window sill for 2 weeks. Check on it every few days and give it a little gentle mix.
Two weeks later...... - Using a muslin cloth or sieve, pour the oil with the blooms over and into a jug.
It is important to add your infused oil into a jar that is more resistant to light as sitting your oil in directly light after the infusion will reduce its benefits.
Label it stating what the contents are and the date. Keep it in a cool, dark area to avoid risking the properties of your infusion. Use topically, directly on the skin or add to your products as you wish. I am looking forward to using mine.
Note you will get approx shelf life of 1 year from your infusion. So choose wisely what you use it for. But most importantly enjoy experimenting and enjoying the wonderful benefits of your Dandelion infusion.
Dandelion Oil infusion
I hope this has helped you see the typical dandelion in a different light?
I hope this has helped you see the typical dandelion in a different light?
Until next time
Love & Sparkles
Caroline X
Beauty Geek
Eco-friendly Handmade Vegan Products
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