Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion)
- Aunt Plantsy
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
Dandelion is one of my favorite weeds. She is one of the first plants to bloom in the spring for the bees, she is tenacious, dependable, beautiful and beneficial. She can be eaten and used for medicine. This plant has a lot going for it, and it is too bad so many people think of it as an enemy and want to kill it. I keep patches of it growing around our property so that the bees have food. I will also harvest the leaves throughout the year and the roots in the fall or early spring.
This is a perennial that does well in zones 3 to 10. The habitat is in most places such as lawns, gardens, grassy parks, backyards and roadsides. Growing conditions are full sun or partial shade and any soil type.
Did you know that dandelion is high in vitamin B, magnesium, potassium, iron, vitamin A and C, calcium (greens), and is alkalizing?
PARTS USED: All parts can be eaten. Parts used are roots, leaves and flowers.
ENERGY AND FLAVORS: Cool, drying, and bitter (leaves & roots), sweet (root).
PROPERTIES/ACTIONS: Liver Excess, Kidney and Uterine Tonic. Alterative. Antiacid. Antioxidant. Aperient. Cholagogue. Choleretic. Digestive Bitter. Diuretic. Laxative. Lithotriptic. Stimulant. Stomachic.
USES: Liver cleanser, induces the flow of bile and cleans the hepatic system, clears obstructions of the spleen, pancreas, gallbladder (gallstones), bladder and kidneys (kidney stones), aids in water elimination while maintaining potassium levels, reproductive and hormone balancing, urinary tract problems, digestive aid, skin eruptions, stomach pains, breast cancer, hepatitis, hypoglycemia, diabetes, lowers high blood pressure, anemia, cystitis, nephritis, weight loss, reduces liver sensitivity, upper body tightness, and itchy eyes and skin associated with subacute liver inflammation, eliminates uric acid deposits resulting in gout, leaky gut syndrome (which causes skin allergies, joint inflammation, fatigue and colon instability), jaundice, osteoporosis, pneumonia, bronchitis and upper respiratory infections, tonsillitis, arthritis, high cholesterol, edema, abnormal blood sugar levels, gastric headaches, and can be used as a coffee substitute.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Contact with the latex can cause dermatitis. Do not use if you have acute gall bladder inflammation, acute gastrointestinal inflammation and intestinal blockage. REFERENCES:
The Science & Art of Herbalism by Rosemary Gladstar
Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health
The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra, L.Ac., O.M.D.
Herbal Medicine of the American Southwest by Charles W. Kane
The Green Pharmacy by James A. Duke, Ph.D.
Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth by Dr. Sharol Marie Tilgner
Here are just a few things I've made with the leaves and roots: - Blend the fresh leaves in smoothies - Sautee the leaves with some oil and seasonings - Use the leaves raw in salads (raw leaves are bitter) - Use the flowers in salads to brighten up a meal - Dry the leaves and make a tea - Infuse the leaves (dry or fresh) in oil to make salves - Dry the root to use in teas or tinctures – or even cook them in soups/stews.
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