Dandelions, from the French, dent-de-lion (lion's tooth), are cheery, sunny, playful little plants commonly known as weeds. They grow in abundance on all continents other than Antarctica, and escape notice as one of our Creator's most abundant gifts. Although they are a wild plant, they are extremely easy to harvest. They grow everywhere: in flower beds, flower pots, lawns, gardens, rock gardens, anywhere their airborn seeds may light.
Manage vs. Eliminate
Dandelions have long been slandered by herbicide manufacturers who would have the public believe their manufactured toxic chemicals are superior to this delightful little flower. Many people fall for the propaganda without realizing there are other ways to control them.
Health Benefits
Besides being exquisitely beautiful, dandelions are fully edible and contain many nutrients and phytochemicals supportive of life and health. They contain higher quantities of vitamins and minerals than other greens, and can be consumed raw or cooked in numerous recipes from salads and dressings to stews and gumbos to wines and beers to jellies and cookies. Young, tender leaves and flowers have a mild flavor; mature leaves and roots have a rather strong taste and are made more palatable by pre-boiling and discarding the first boiling water.
As a medicinal herb, dandelions are used for their alterative (blood purifying), liver and gall bladder stimulative, mild laxative, and diuretic properties. As a diuretic, dandelions are said to be as effective as furosemide and noted to provide high levels of potassium at the same time. In fact, they are so effective as a diuretic that another French name for them is pissenlit (pee in bed).
Dandelions may have mild anti-tumor properties, as well. Chinese dandelions are used to treat mastitis. One traditional Native American use for dandelions is to rub the stem sap on warts several times each day for a week and a half to two weeks during which time the wart is said to peel off.
Dandelions and Pets
Pet owners may discover dandelion flowers to be an inexpensive, nutritious, and delightful treat for many pet rodents and lagomorphs. Not all of them like the taste, but those who do will shred and nibble the blossoms with gusto.
Dandelions deserve respect as a species rather than the industrial and advertising genocide they more often receive. No one needs to starve where dandelions grow, and those who eat them may experience improved health, as well.
References:
Green, J. The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook: A HomeManual. Berkeley: Crossing Press. (2000).
Mabey, R., McIntyre, M., Michael, P., Duff, G., & Stevens, J. (Eds). The New Age Herbalist. New York: Fireside Book by Simon & Schuster, Inc. (1988).
Parthey, S. Dealing with Dandelions. Journal of Pesticide Reform. (Fall, 2001).
Patton, D. Mountain Medicine: The Herbal Remedies of Tommie Bass. Gadsden: Natrual Reader Press. (2004).
Tierra, M. The Way of Herbs. New York: Pocket Books (1998).
ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/Dandelion. "Dandelion." (accessed August 16, 2011).
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Celia Javadi - I have most people's good at heart. I believe that if a person can improve one other person's life, a person can improve the world.
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