Taraxacum officinale

Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B3, C, E

Minerals: rich in calcium, chromium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, selenium, silicon, zinc

Actions: diuretic, laxative, choleretic, tonic, stomachic, antioxidant, hepatic, alterative, aperient, anti-inflammatory, cholagogue

Many people cringe at the first site of a dandelion plant but there is much more to this hardy plant than one might think.

In a previous post, Plants for a Future, I introduced a few herbs and plants that hold medicinal and edible purposes along with a link to their large database of plants and their uses. On this current post I would like to focus primarily on the Dandelion, for it doesn’t get enough street cred.

Dandelion is a superb plant for growing in the lawn, able to tolerate regular cutting and constant trampling. The quality of the leaves will be better if the grass is allowed to grow a little longer than usual, but this is not essential. It will manage to flower even if cut regularly, and a lawn of dandelions in flower is a beautiful sight in the spring, though it will produce the odd flower at other times of the year.

The leaves are extremely nutritious and are best eaten raw though they can also be cooked. The roots, like chicory roots, are a coffee substitute should you ever find that you’ve got too many plants in the lawn. The old and mown leaves are an excellent addition to the compost heap. If you do decide to use the dandelion as an edible plant, make sure the plants haven’t been sprayed with pesticides before cultivating. [source]

Dandy Facts

A daily tea of dandelion root, or eating the leaves, is recommended for anyone with liver complaints. It can be eaten regularly as a preventative, helping to keep the liver at peak efficiency. As the green leaves are a valuable alkaliser to the body, eaten regularly they assist the body to reduce excess acidity; oxygenate, purify and build blood; cleanse and regenerate cells. The bitter principles stimulate the digestion (by salivation, and the production of stomach acids and enzymes); assist liver, spleen, gall and pancreas function, and make it easier to digest fats and oils. Dandelion has been found to stimulate mucus membranes, sooth the digestive tract, absorb toxins from the bowel, help friendly flora to thrive and inhibit unfriendly bacteria. Eating dandelion regularly has a reputation of relieving diabetes. The following blend of herbs put in 00 capsules, and one taken after each meal is found to be beneficial: 2 parts dandelion, 1 part fennel, 1/2 part ginger and 1 part elecampane. It is said that dandelion leaves consumed daily in salads can dissolve gallstones.

Dandelion plants are said to breathe out ethylene gas. Although this can have an inhibiting effect on the growth of some plants nearby, this same gas is utilized by some farmers to accelerate the ripening process of crops. By scattering dandelion seeds under fruit trees, the ethylene gas given off can aid in the early ripening of the crop, which can bring a higher price for fruit early in the season.

Dandelion is helpful for people who suffer from allergies, eczema and other skin conditions, asthma, arthritis, gout, rheumatism, gall stones, metabolic disturbances, bone disorders, low blood pressure, poor circulation, ulcers, anemia, halitosis (bad breath), constipation, malignant tumors, colds, lowering cholesterol, cardiac edema, heart burn, swollen glands, hot flushes, and as a sleep inducing night cap. Dandelion is a herb with fat metabolising properties.

The highly nutritious, young dandelion leaves are used daily in salads, steamed, added to stir-fries and many other dishes which call for greens. It was a traditional spring cleaning herb, regarded as a valuable blood builder.

If dandelions have done well in your garden, self-seeded and produced a bountiful crop of weeds, why not use the roots to make a non-caffeine coffee.  [source]

And best of all, you can make wonderful Dandelion Wine during the spring and summer seasons! Many like to save it and enjoy the wine on the Winter Solstice. Just an idea. :)

Enjoi!!

Caution: All parts of the dandelion plant contain a milk sap. Those allergic to dandelions should be especially careful not to come into contact with this sap. Most others, however, can tolerate the sap when it is applied to their skin.

Peace and Progress,

Jessica Brothers