“When you look at a field of dandelions, you can either see a hundred weeds or a hundred wishes. ” -unknown
Growing up dandelions were my favorite. I always picked the yellow dandelion flowers and made them into a head crown. I never passed a blowball without picking it up and blowing on it. I made no wishes, I just enjoyed watching the seeds dance around the field. It is only recently that I found out that dandelions are not only fun but also full of health benefits. Many dislike this common and annoying lawn weed but we hope that next time you find dandelions growing on your lawn that you will pull out the root, flower, and leaves and make something wonderful with it. You can use the whole plant.
Dandelions are pretty amazing and they have been used as remedies for fever, poor digestion, liver disorders, urinary tract infections, high blood pressure, stimulate appetite, ease stomach distress, jaundice, eczema, acne, and so many other conditions.
Sagehen Creek, Sierra County
Dandelion Coffee Scrub
You can harvest your own dandelion leaves and roots or you can buy some at a natural store like we did. For this scrub you need 1 cup of ground coffee, 1 tablespoon of ground dandelion root, 1 tablespoon dandelion leaves, and 1 cup of honey. I love to put this scrub on my face and body while I’m in the shower. This way it’s not all over the place.
Dandelion Root Facial Mist
All you need is 3 tablespoons of chopped dandelion root and two cups of water. Bring the water to a boil. Place chopped dandelion root in a spray bottle and fill with warm water. Spray the mist over your makeup free face.
Dandelion Root Coffee
We all know that we should not be giving our kiddos coffee but this coffee is actually good for them because there is no caffeine in it. What you need is 3 tablespoons of chopped roasted dandelion root, 3 cups of water, 2/4 coconut milk, and 1 tablespoon of honey. To make this coffee you want to bring to a boil a pot of water and pour the water over the roasted chopped dandelion root. Once the dandelion root has seeped you can disregard the dandelion root and add coconut milk as well as honey to a glass. If you want it cold simply add ice.
Dandelion Massage oil
This is so easy and simple to make. Simply fill your jar up 3/4 with dandelions and then cover with olive oil. Place near a sunny window for two weeks. You don’t want to leave it longer as the dandelions can began to mold. After two weeks discard the dandelions and use as massage oil.
Dandelion Salve
What you need is dandelion flowers, oil (your choice), mason jars, beeswax, and cheese cloth. You need to make sure you have 1:5 ratio. So 1 pound of beeswax to 5 pounds of oil. Place dandelions into a large mason jar (3/4 full) then fill the top with oil of your choice. Place cheese cloth over the mason jar. Do not close it with a lid. Leave it outside for two weeks in the sun. After two week has passed place your cheese cloth over a new bowl. Pour your oil and dandelion mixture. Drain all of the oil. Discard the dandelion flower.
Get a small pot and place hot water in it. When the pot has come to a boil place the metal bowl on top of the pot. Add in small portions beeswax. Use a fork to determine when your salve is ready by placing it in the oil and beeswax mixture. If the fork dries whites and feels soft when dries then you are done. You do not want to add too much beeswax because if you do you will have to add more oil to make it softer. Do not let it cool. Place salve in a mason jar as soon as you can. You will know when it has dried because it will change colors and will harden a bit.
There are so many ways that you and I can use dandelions. We are looking forward to when dandelions are in season so that we can pick fresh dandelion leaves and make smoothies and salads with them.
How have you used dandelions?
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Janel
Who ever knew you could use dandelion in so many creative ways. I used to make crowns,necklaces and bracelets with them as a child. Sadly most people spray chemicals on their lawns so in many areas you find them by me it really isn’t safe to pick.
Belle
Love all the photos; looks like they were having so much fun! And it does look like a fun activity!
Di
Love dandelions. Growing up my rabbit loved them. Isn’t it true that a weed is just a plant in the wrong place?
Silvia
Wow I’m very impressed at all the things you can do with a dandelion. I had no clue about most of this stuff.
Alix Maza
How adorable! This totally brought me back to my childhood when I used to pick dandelions and wear them in my hair.
Bill S
I love that quote!! These are such fun pictures, what a great way to use Dandelions, I love the slave idea!
Debra
I love the dandelion quote – I totally see wishes when they are not in my yard – lol! What a fun project to do with the kids
Nicole Feliciano
What a sweet family day! Love all the activities you put together with your kiddos. Looks like they like to help.
Cynthia @craftoflaughter
And they are good in my salad! I remember making crowns and bracelets with my girls but didn’t realize I could make a scrub or massage oil with them!
Heather
I love the quote you opened with! I never thought of dandelions like that, but that is a lovely quote. Those are great uses for dandelions as well and how fun that you got your family involved as well. Those are the memories that children keep close to them. BTW the scenery in your photos is gorgeous. I live in Houston and so wish we had pretty mountains here. 🙁
Karen
Wow – so informative about the healing properties of dandelions and the DIY part! I used to make dandelion floral crowns too as a child! So sweet…
Rachel
How fun is this post. My girls would be in heaven making these. They love picking the dandelions especially if they can blow the fuzz of them. LOL Thanks for sharing.
Debra Schroeder
Wow, I hadn’t realized that dandelions were used for medical purposes. But it makes sense because they’re easy to cultivate.
Rose Sahetapy
Wow! Amazing information about something that we all familiar with but don’t know how beneficial it is. I love to blow on a dandelion and let it fly with the wind. Thank you for sharing this.
Terri Steffes
My grandmother would love you so much! We both love our dandelions. I haven’t seen that quote before, but I will be using it this spring. Delightful.
jalisa
I’m pinning this. When I was younger I used to love dandelions. I used to pick them all the time.
Theresa
This looks like an incredible day! The kids look like they are having the most wonderful time there.
Jennifer (JenuineMom)
I love dandelions. I didn’t realize until I was grown up that you could do so many things with dandelions. I think, when we have dandelions again, I shall try some of your ideas!
Cassandra
Who knew dandelions could be used in so many ways. As a kid, I used to sit in the grass, pick them and pop all the flowers off of them. Guess I’ll have to start looking at dandelions differently.
Krystel @ Planning The Magic
I LOVE THIS. I didn’t even know these things were possible. What a fun family day and your images are beautiful
@ Hip Mama’s Place
These are the cutest ideas to use dandelions for. I had no idea they were so beneficial, this is good to know.
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh
I’ve never seen dandelions as big as those! Wow, beautiful. I have a friend that lives in SC and she makes dandelion tea, and something else all the time with them.
Blythe Alpern
As a kid I used to always view dandelions as pretty yellow weeds. It wasn’t until I was older did I see the benefits they could provide. I love seeing all the creative ways you and your children have incorporated dandelions into your home.
Angela Tolsma
I totally remember creating all of these as a kid at camp one summer! It was so much fun! And then the big companies came and sprayed all the areas so that they won’t grow! I live in a new area and they don’t spray (Hooray!), I am so going to have to do this, this summer!
Orana Velarde
Oh yeah! I remember in Peru in the mountains there are these street stalls that sell a hot beverage called “emoliente”. The seller always has different medicinal extracts to mix in your drink however you like. One of them is dandelion leaf extract. I remember it being good for UTI’s and things like that. It was so bitter! Oh man I miss emoliente now.
Courteney Noonan
I used to love picking dandelions when I was a little girl but I never realised they had so many uses. I’d love to make a dandelion salve with my little sister 🙂
Amber
Wow! i love dandelion root tea but have never thought to make all these things with them! I think I will try the salve first… LOVE the idea!
Dawn McAlexander
I have heard of people making dandelion wine around here as well. Don’t know how popular it is or how it tastes, but I have heard of people making it.
Nikki Arnold
Those are some awesome ways to use dandelions!! I’ve heard of making dandelion salad too, but I’ve never tried it. I used to love picking dandelions and blowing them to make wishes.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife
We love dandelions too but I had no idea you could use them for so many things! The dandelion salve sounds like something that would be handy to have. Thanks for the DIY tutorial!
Kecia
I love the color of dandelions but I have never used them for anything. I need to get with it and give them a try for stomach distress.
Keren Charles
I never knew the many uses of dandelion! Thank you for sharing. I can’t wait to try the coffee scrub.
Angela
I so bookmarking this post! I had no idea dandelion have these many uses for them. I only see them but never even considered having them on my salad or do something holistic. I love the salad part and most especially the coffee! That is absolutely intriguing. Why I never seen a post like this amazing DIY is beyond me. I love DIY’s and can’t wait to do one soon.
Amanda Love
Honestly, I didn’t know you could do so much with dandelions! It’s nice to learn all of these things, thanks for sharing them. I’d love to try that face mist first, I’m sure it’s perfect for the weather here!