Dandelions - Can’t have enough in the yard!!!! REALLY!

Imagine a field full of dandelions. Remember as a child, blowing the seeds and watching them fly about on the wind? The powerful sun-like yellow color emits energy, reminding us that the dandelion is not just an ordinary weed or garden herb, but it is one of nature's miraculous treatments.

BACKGROUND / DESCRIPTION

Dandelion Most people try so very hard to kill the dandelion plant, hardly realizing how amazing it is. You might be surprised to know that our forefathers brought this weed to America deliberately and with good reason! Dandelion as we know it in America is a European herb that migrated to New England with the Pilgrims. It was named by a 15th century surgeon, who compared the shape of the leaves to a lion's tooth, or "dens leonis". In the West we separate the leaves and root, but the Chinese use the entire plant which they call "Pu Gong Ying". Myself, I agree with the Chinese, that the whole of the plant should be used. Dandelion has been used in many traditional medical systems, including Native American and traditional Arabic medicine.

Dandelion is a perennial with a thick tap root. The saw-toothed leaves form a rosette at the base of the plant. Solitary, bright yellow flowers appear from spring to autumn. Ribbed fruits bearing tufts of fine, white hairs follow flowers and are such fun to blow in the wind. Dandelion is well known as a yard/garden weed.

Dandelion or "Taraxacum officinale" actually originates from Greece. Old books about herbal medicine state that in order to have a shiny complexion, women used to use an infusion obtained by boiling the herb and its root. Nowadays, dandelion is consumed mostly in Japan, Italy, France, India and the USA. The whole herb has a curative effect. Raw or dry dandelion roots eaten with tea have a cleansing effect, stimulating digestion and the urinary system. They are considered to be an excellent remedy against thickened blood. A salad with a distinctive bitter taste and containing more nutritive substances than spinach or tomatoes is prepared from its fresh leaves.

Historically, dandelion was most commonly used to treat liver diseases, kidney diseases, and spleen problems. Less commonly, dandelion was used to treat digestive problems and skin conditions. Today, dandelion is used by some as a liver or kidney “tonic,” as a diuretic, and for minor digestive problems.

Dandelion is very nutritious, having more vitamins and minerals than some vegetables. Its rich in Vitamins A and C, and Potassium. The leaves also contain Vitmins B, D, and Iron. The young leaves and flowers are eaten raw in salads, and some ferment the flowers to make into wine. Medicinally, Dandelion is used as an anti-bilious, cholagogue, depurative, diuretic, hepatic, mild laxative, stomachic, and tonic. Its effective in treating endometriosis, cystitis, mastitis, and menstrual cramps. The fresh juice is used to fight bacteria and help heal external wounds. Some use it for the treatment of liver, gall bladder and urinary disorders, gallstones, jaundice, edema associated with high blood pressure and heart weakness, chronic joint complaints, gout, and eczema.

The substances contained by dandelion stimulates the stomach's activity as well as the liver's and bile's, causing a high dieresis and helping an organism to eliminate, through urine, the toxic products of metabolism. Dandelion can be successfully used in cases of hypoacid gastritis, dyspepsia, biliary dischinesis and for preventing the formation of renal calculi. The diuretic effect also helps eliminate the renal calculi. Through the dieresis it causes, dandelion eliminates toxins and indirectly helps treat eczema and other skin diseases.

Dandelion is a bitter-sweet, cooling herb. It stimulates liver function, improves digestion and reduces swelling and inflammation. It contains sesquiterpene lactones (tetrahydroridentin B and taraxacolide B-D-glucoside), phenolic acid derivative (taraxacoside), triterpenoids (taraxasterol and its derivatives), potassium and inulin. Dandelion contains 2,8% protids, 7,5% glucids, vitamins (A, B2, C, D and G) and minerals (potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus and iron). The root contains a bitter compound (taraxacina), pectins, and sterols, vitamins B1, C and D, inulin, tannin and reshines - and potassium. From a pharmaceutical point of view, the herb has many qualities: cholagogus, choleretic, alkalizing, laxative, diuretic, venotonic and astringent. With a high amount of fibers, dandelion prevents the unwanted assimilation of glucose and facilitates the elimination of feces. Dandelion also contains curative substances which are very important for treating metabolic disorders.

It is widely used either as a laxative or a natural diuretic or as an ingredient in the process of preparing the coffee (it can be added to regular coffee in order to enrich its taste or to prepare a drink similar to coffee or tea). Because of the contained vitamins A and C, dandelion is also known as an anti-oxidant and anti-cancer agent.

The leaves and roots of the dandelion, or the whole plant, are used fresh or dried in teas, capsules, or extracts. Dandelion leaves are used in salads or as a cooked green, and the flowers are used to make wine.

Dandelion juice is obtained from hashed and pressed dandelions. If it's consumed immediately and in high quantities, the juice has a remarkable effect over the blood, by purifying it and enriching it with iron. Do be warned though, that if used in a large dose, you may experience a strong flushing, and your skin develop a temporary redness accompanying this flushing. The first time I used a strong dandelion tea for a flush - that’s exactly what I got.... wow, it hit within minutes, and for just a few moments I felt faint, and my son said “oh my God mom, you look so red!”. I had to just sit and relax and let it pass. It passed in moments, but I think maybe I made that first tea a bit too strong - sure felt wonderful afterwards though! I could feel it going through my whole body, it was such a strong sensation, scary at first as this was early into my herbal studies and tests... I thought, oh goodness, I may have screwed up here! But I’d been so very ill and weak (anemic), and was determined to get well, so made a really strong tea and drank it all down quick......

Remember the old saying - “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”? - Well, I think it should be changed to “Some dandelion every day will keep the doctor away!”

COMMON USES

The leaves made into a tea acts as a diuretic and can help eliminate gall and kidney stones, it also replaces any potassium that might be lost - roots should be used in the tea as well as they have the highest level of potassium. The root, when dried, roasted and ground like coffee, is used to make a coffee substitute, much like chicory root.

The fresh sap can be used for removing warts. It must be applied fresh each day for several weeks for the wart to drop off, but is a pain free way of getting rid of them. Haven’t tried this myself as I don’t have trouble with warts - but have found reference to this in numerous sources.

Dandelion is recommended as an adjuvant in all the diseases that involve a glandular disequilibrium. Because of these qualities, the specialists are using it to successfully treat liver diseases. It increases the biliary secretion, regulates the blood circulation and stimulates the appetite when in convalescence periods. Because of its diuretic action, it eliminates toxins efficiently. This way, it indirectly treats eczemas and other skin diseases, gout, rheumatism, atherosclerosis, varices, etc. It reduces the level of cholesterol. Dandelion is also efficient in treating the hepatic dermatosis, cleaning the blood from impurities and calming rheumatic pains. Here are some of its uses:

Consumed as a drink or as salad, dandelion is a great remedy. A healthy salad can be prepared from a handful of dandelion leaves mixed with parsley and dill, oil and vinegar. It can be consumed two or three times a day, before primary meals.

Decoct for lowering the cholesterol level: 15g of leaves and 15g of roots boiled in one liter of water for 30 minutes. Drink a cup before each meal.

In cases of liver disorders: 25g of leaves and 25g of roots boiled in one liter of water for 30 minutes. Drink before each meal, one cup only.

For anorexia and constipation: 20g of leaves and 20g of roots boiled in one liter of water, then left in the fridge for 24 hours before consuming it, strain and drink one cup before each meal.

For acne, cellulite, and other chronic joint or skin issues: 25g of leaves and 25g of roots can be boiled for 5 minutes in one liter of water and left to infuse another 10 minutes. Wash affected areas with the tea. You can also use this decoct to wash around the eyes for various eye problems.

For greasy hair: fresh and hashed dandelion leaves must be applied on the dry hair and left there over night. The following morning, wash normally with shampoo.

CULTIVATION / GROWING

I’d put something here, but really - dandelions? I don’t think you even have to try to grow these, they just happen everywhere by accident. If you really feel you must - simply find some dandelion flowers after the bloom, pick the seed heads, cover them and carry them to where you want them to grow, and just blow! Nature will take over from there and you’ll have plenty!

As to harvesting them, I have a special dandelion digger, but a strong LONG screwdriver works well. You just push it into the ground beside the base of the flower - and go deep, then tip it sideways lifting the plant out of the dirt easily. This is easiest when the ground is moist, but not soaked. Shake it off, then take inside and wash it off well - and hang to dry or use fresh. It is best to use both the root and greens, as if you make tea or such with only the greens, it can be potassium depleting in it’s diuretic action - but the root has higher levels of potassium to prevent potassium depletion from dieresis. God really did work his magic when he created this amazing little plant.

The roots are best gathered between early and late summer when they are at their bitterest.

MAGICAL / MYTHICAL USES

Dandelion is believed to be linked to air spirits. An old custom tells of blowing upon Dandelion seeds, and as they drift into the wind they will carry your wishes to your lover. Use Dandelion when working with elemental Air. Some use the root to evoke Hecate, and its even been sliced into pieces which are dried and strung to form a necklace of ritual beads when calling upon this Goddess. I knew a woman who worshiped Hecate - never could quite figure out why? I guess to each their own. I always try to respect the beliefs of others - don’t always agree, but respect the right of each of us to find the path that we wish to follow in this life.

WARNINGS & endings....

Dandelion use is generally considered safe. However, there have been rare reports of upset stomach and diarrhea, and some people are allergic to the plant.

People with an inflamed or infected gallbladder, or blocked bile ducts, should avoid using dandelion.

And try not to make it too strong initially till you figure out what strength works best for you, as that extreme flushing can be very unsettling till it passes!

Herbal link page

Ah yes... and the legal disclaimer - don’t you hate these things? —> The information contained in this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. <– ok, that’s done, hope you find this article useful!!

Gail Ann(573) 470-5806spiritguidedhealer@gmail.com

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