There are plenty of dandelions now everywhere. Dandelions are popular wild vegetables that are eagerly picked for salads and other dishes. But have you ever prepared any cosmetic products from them? Dandelion is a very unique herb that is worth trying for skin care. It has unique properties not many plants have. From dandelions you can easily get suitable products for your own skin. The excellent skin-care properties of dandelion could give inspiration to write several articles about it. Continue reading so you know more about the dandelion healing and skin pampering ingredients.
Dandelion (Taraxacum) is a group of plants
There are about 500 species of dandelions in Finland. They are all their own plants that belong to the dandelions. The average person walking in the nature hardly notices any difference between different dandelions. Professionals also have difficulties to separate dandelion species. I have noticed that Dandelions having round-shape leaves are milder. Those dandelions with serrated leaves taste bitter. They contain more bitter substances, the tannins.
There is research data available on the skin-protecting effects of dandelion
Dandelion has been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years. It has been found to help with many ailments. In folk medicine, dandelion root is the most valued part of the plant. In skin care, the root is not so relevant.
Dandelion has also been studied scientifically. Dandelions have been found to contain effects that support the well-being of skin. The researchers tested dandelion flower and leaf extracts. Dandelion was found to protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. If the dandelion extract is used immediately before and immediately after exposure to the sun, the extract acts to protect the skin.
The researchers also found ingredients in the dandelion extract that protect the skin from aging. Also in this extract, the researchers used leaf and flower extract specifically. Many wild herbs contain antioxidants that protect the skin from aging. However, many wild herbs have not been scientifically studied as thoroughly as dandelions. After reading all the good qualities of dandelion, you will surely wonder why they are called weeds.
Dandelion is a plant with a special mineral content
Many plants contain a lot of acids. The most important acid in dandelion is ascorbic acid, the vitamin C. Vitamin C is a particularly important antioxidant for the skin. I have already written about it here.
The other important caring ingredients in dandelion are minerals. The dandelion is so full of minerals that it is alkaline in nature and not acidic like most plants. Dandelion is rich in magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and potassium. All of these trace elements are especially valuable in skin care.
Dandelion sap is antimicrobial
You must have sometimes cut off the stem of a dandelion and drained white sap from it. This liquid is a particularly antimicrobial agent. Dandelion sap is very alkaline, it has a high pH value.
The sap has been used in traditional medicine in ancient times to treat wounds and skin lesions. When I was a child, dandelion sap was also used to treat warts.
Dandelion is suitable for the treatment of eczema
High alkaline content helps treat inflammatory skin conditions such as itchy eczema. Dandelion has been used successfully in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases for hundreds of years. As an eczema patient myself, I know that there are only really few itch-relieving agents available. Dandelion is one of them precisely because of its alkalinity. Eczema patients sometimes add plenty of baking soda to the base cream to make its pH higher. If the pH of the cream is high, the itching will disappear. Dandelion has naturally high pH value. That’s why it’s really well suited for itch-relieving creams.
If you want to make an itch-relieving cream, you should use all the above-ground parts of the dandelion, including the stems. The stems are the most alkaline parts precisely because of the sap.
Dandelion is a cleansing and skin brightening herb
The properties of dandelion include its ability to cleanse the body. Internally, it increases fluid secretion and cleanses the liver. When used externally, dandelion cleanses the skin of toxic substances. Because dandelion is alkaline, it works like other alkaline substances, it pulls substances away from the skin. That is why dandelion should be used for cleansing masks.
Dandelion prevents the signs of aging
Because dandelion is so rich in vitamin C, it is very effective in preventing aging. Vitamin C regenerates skin cells and accelerates the production of collagen and elastane. Collagen and elastane are just the elements under the skin that make our faces look younger. Vitamin C also fades dark spots on the skin and brightens the skin.
You should collect dandelions right now
Right now, is the time when you should start collecting ingredients for all dandelion products you will use in fall and winter. You can order ready-made dried dandelion roots online, but I have never found dried dandelion flowers or stems for sale. They must be collected from nature by ourselves. The best parts of the dandelion for the skin are the flowers and stems.
You can make an oil extract from dandelion flowers. Use either fresh or dried dandelions, Dandelion flowers need to be dried quickly, otherwise they will become fluffy balls. The beautiful yellow colour will only be preserved if you have an efficient dryer and dry a small amount at a time. I myself have prepared dandelion oil using fresh dandelion only, just because of the difficulty of drying.
If you don’t remember how herbal oils were made, take a look here. If you want to make dandelion oil in a slow method, use only dried dandelions.
And now let’s hurry up to collect dandelions and make herbal oil. Next week, I’ll tell you how to make great products for skin care using dandelion oil.
Have you used dandelions in skin care?