I love dandelions. Growing up, I always thought they were magical and absolutely breathtaking- of course back then to me dandelions were the white puff balls and not so much the yellow flowers. Perhaps it had everything to do with the stories my mother read to me, because somehow I always associated them with faeries and wishes – who could forget this: ’When you see the first dandelion of the season, make a wish; Blow on a dandelion puff and make your wish then say, “Dandelion, puffs away, make my wish come true some day.” If all the soft white hairs are gone after your third puff, your wish will come true.’
But childhood ignorance can only last that long. After a while, I learned that Dandelions were a lot more than just wish carriers. They are among the hardiest herbaceous perennials known to man with long, lance-shaped leaves. Dandelions are also one of the most amazing plants that nature has given to us because of its medicinal and culinary properties.
In fact it could be said that Dandelions are the very green and live growing first aid kit of nature because for as long as that time old superstition about them and wishes existed, their use as medicine probably did too. Dandelions are known to have the following healing medicinal properties:
- Depurative
- Galactagogue
- Diuretic
- Stomachic
- Breath
- Tonic
Which is why they are commonly used to treat (among many other ailments):
- Acne
- Alcoholism/Drug Abuse
- Bladder Infection (UTI) Cystitis
- Brain/Memory/Focus
- Bronchitis
- Bruises/Sprains
- Cholesterol Control
- Colds
- Digestion/Indigestion
- Female related health issues (Female Tonics)
- Hypertension HBP
- Hepatitis
- IBS
- Liver
- Lungs/Respiratory
- Osteoporosis
- PMS
- Pregnancy
- Warts and blisters
Dandelions possess remarkable nutritional value. They are very high in vitamins A and C, with contents of beta carotine that is higher than that found in carrots and more potassium than that of broccoli or spinach. It also holds healthy doses of iron and copper. The dandelion flowers are rich in lecithin – a nutrient that elevates the brains acetylcholine (aids with Alzheimer’s) and liver disorders.
Each and every part of the Dandelion can be used – from their roots to the flowers to the leaves! And it doesn’t take such complication to use them either because reaping the benefits of this amazing plant could be just as simple as
- making them into tea,
- grinding the roasted roots for delicious caffeine free coffee alternative,
- making them into salad, jelly or even omelette, or
- just applying the sap from the stems or roots
Dandelions grow wild and free. They are really hardly long lived plants that have been unjustly labeled as weeds by the lawn lovers of today’s modern society because of how their leaves can shove their way though gravel and cement, and thrive even in barren habitats. But before you bring out the weed killer upon sight of them, I hope you will reconsider vanquishing them because these golden blossoms and lion-toothed leaves aren’t weeds, they are nature’s natural provision of food, medicine and magic!
