Dandelion is one of the most overlooked herbs in anyone's lawn. They are thought of as the bane of the lawn-lover's existence, and most people only know that in the olden days, some poor sap ate the leaves.

The truth is, without dandelion, many of us who use herbs, would be without a beloved favorite. Every bit of the plant, from root to petal, can be used in some way.

An easy way to use dandelions is to infuse the blossoms into an oil. This oil can then be rubbed onto aching muscles and joints. The recipe is simple:

• Fill a glass container with as many dandelion blossoms as you can.
  
• Pour olive oil over them, adding enough to cover the flowers completely.
  
• Using a wooden chopstick or handle of a kitchen spoon, gently poke around into the mixture to release the air bubbles. You may do this a few times the first and second day.
  
• Cover with breathable lid to keep bugs and dust out. I use a coffee filter and a rubber band to keep it from blowing away.
  
• Place your oil filled jar into a sunny place. a quart jar sits on a

  windowsill nicely, while a gallon jar will be more stable sitting on a porch step.
  

This oil is ready anywhere from two to six weeks, depending on who you talk to. I find that two weeks gives it a rich, yellow color and strongly scented product. If you wish to keep it working for up to six weeks,check it every day for mold growth(remove with a wooden utensil if you find any). To help avoid the potential for mold, here are some ideas to experiment with.

1. Wilt the blossoms overnight before placing in glass container. This allows some of the moisture to be released. Moisture is what causes mold.
   
2. Continue to release air bubbles as they form. I check my oils daily for bubbles, a sign that something is happening in the oil.
   
3. Keep the oil from staying out in the warming and cooling temps. The rise and fall of temperatures is what causes condensation inside the jar and can add to mold.
   
4. When and if the flowers start to rise up above the oil, add more oil or gently push them down to keep them fully covered.

Once the oil is ready, strain with cheesecloth or a coffee filter and your oil is ready to store. I also use this oil as a base for muscle/joint salve. With the addition of beeswax, I can create a product that is thick enough to scoop. Some people prefer that to straight oil.