Essential Oils

A few weeks ago one of my customers emailed me to inquire about dandelion-based massage oil. As I began to write back to tell her that unfortunately, I didn't carry it I looked out the window and saw masses of yellow blooms.

"I bet you could make it," I write, and the next day she emailed me a recipe. Thus began the great dandelion-picking adventure.

Dandelion oil is believed to be particularly effective for muscular aches and pains, but if the idea of picking dandelions doesn't enthrall you or if there are none readily available for picking you can skip down to other useful mixtures.

Dandelion Infusion Oil

Fill a clean, large, wide-mouth jar 1/3 full with flowers.
Fill the jar almost to the top with oil (olive or canola), then cap the jar. (Note: you will end up with about half as much oil as you started out with.)
Set the jar in the sun (bring in at night) or in a warm place.
When the petals turn brown remove them and replace with a fresh batch. Repeat this process two or three times.
Strain out plant material and bottle the oil, capping tightly.
If stored in a dark place it should last a few months. If stored in your refrigerator it will last indefinitely.

You would be surprised to discover both how many dandelions it takes to fill a jar one-third full, and how many aren't suitable for picking (those past their peak, with petals beginning to fall off, and a generallly unkempt appearance). You might also be surprised to see how many bees choose the same perfect dandelions that you want to pick. (It's always good manners to wait until a bee has had its fill.)

I was even more surprised to realize that my dandelion-picking odyssey had become a walking meditation. In searching for the perfect dandelions I became moved by their radiant golden blooms and softly feathered petals. Meditation turned to prayer as I spontaneously began to ask each flower its permission to be picked and to thank it for its gift.

Massage Oil Recipe

To each ounce of olive or canola oil add:
15 drops Dandelion Infusion Oil
15 drops Rosemary essential oil
4-8 drops Dandelion flower essence

If you don't have dandelion oil use canola or jojoba oil (or sweet almond oil, if you enjoy its fragrance). As for the other ingredients: Rosemary oil is known to be helpful for aches and pains, and more serious challenges such as arthritis and rheumatism; Dandelion flower essence has always has the effect of dissolving whatever emotional heaviness I've stored in my lower back and Self-Heal is self-descriptive.