As a child my memory of dandelion is like most children, blowing the puff off the dandelion seeds and watching the winds carry them off. This plant is regarded as a weed that grows in a lot of places. Even interesting places like the cracks between cement and on sides of the road. I wanted to do a special zoom in of this common plant because many women can use this plant during the season of spring as a way to support their wellbeing in the changing seasons as well as use it to support their liver and other common ailments.
Harvesting
I like to gather dandelion leaves in the springtime when the leaves are less bitter. My daughter and I recently went foraging on our property here and picked up a lot of dandelion leaves which she tasted and was able to tolerate the flavor pretty well. You can dry the leaves for their medicinal uses later. The roots are fairly easy to harvest as well, if you notice, the roots are more expensive to buy online so if you think that you can use them, it is good to harvest the roots when the plant is around 3 years old to get the most medicinal properties out.
You can harvest the roots and dry them out and then chop them up to use in tea later on in the season if you need them. Since a lot of dandelions grow in abundance, then I do not feel bad about harvesting the roots as I know more dandelions are going to pop up the next year. Also, the roots can be harvested year round, so if you know there is a dandelion growing at a particular spot you can dig up the roots throughout the year and use them.
Make sure that you are also harvesting this plant where the there is no spraying or pesticides or chemicals. Roads where there is lots of traffic also probably does not have the healthiest plant and you do not want to ingest those chemicals internally.
Identification
There are many look a likes when it comes to dandelion so make sure you identify it properly before harvesting it. It is a perennial herbaceous plant native to North America and grows up to a foot in height. You usually see the plant flower in April going up till June and the root go deep in the soil. Leaves usually grow from the base of the plant with highly jagged edges which are said to resemble a lions tooth, hence the herbs name.
Contraindications
Although dandelion is fairly safe, some people have reported allergic reactions to it. It is safer to avoid dandelion if you are allergic to plants in the family of ragweed, chrysanthemum, marigold, yarrow, or daisy.
It is also best to avoid this plant if you are pregnant of breastfeeding.
If you are taking prescription medication it is best to consult your doctor before including this in your daily wellness regime.
Edible uses
The whole plant can be used after harvesting. The young leaves are green and get bitter as the time in the season moves towards fall. Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The root are sometimes dried and roasted and used as a coffee substitute. The roots have a very bitter taste that is similar to a turnip.
You might see a lot of dandelion flower recipes online as they are used to make salad garnish or are baked and fried. They can also be boiled and served with butter or fermented then later made into dandelion wine.
Eating the dandelion greens may help with iron levels as well since they have high amounts of iron, vitamins and minerals.
Leaves and roots are used to flavor herbal beers and soft drinks as well as making a very bitter tea to support a liver detox tea which I shared a recipe for over on Instagram.
Digestive Issues
Dandelion stimulates bile production making it a favorite herb for uses in issues that have to do with the GI tract, gallbladder issues and liver health. It is known to remove toxins from the body which restores electrolyte imbalances and improves overall liver health.
Dandelion contains what is called inulin, which is a type of carbohydrate that helps with maintaining a healthy gut flora which helps to regulate blood sugar levels.
The plant is also rich in fiber which helps with issues like constipation, diarrhea and digestive disturbances because fiber helps to add bulk to stools. I usually drink dandelion along with burdock and licorice root daily for 3 weeks in the spring for optimal liver and digestive support.
Diuretic
Even though dandelion is known as a diuretic, it helps replace the lost potassium along with other minerals that are lost when water is expelled out of the body. The leaves work as a powerful diuretic and blood purifier. Because of the bitter taste, the liver and gallbladder are stimulated while eliminating toxins from the body via the kidneys.
Because of this diuretic nature of dandelion, it works as a disinfectant, inhibiting bacterial growth in the urinary system making it useful to have around for urinary tract issues.
People with diabetes might find this plant useful for its diuretic properties as well as it helps remove excess sugar from the body as well as controlling lipid levels.
Finally, people that are dealing with high blood pressure may be directed to dandelion for this diuretic effect to help stabilize cholesterol levels and bring down blood pressure because it eliminates excess sodium from the body.
Skin
If you are out in the wild with nothing around that you can identify except for dandelion and get a wound, you are in luck! Dandelion juice applied to the skin is known to help with wound healing and fights against bacterial growth. You can use the tea made with the plant to wash over the skin to help it heal.
The sap, which is sometimes referred to as dandelion milk, can be useful in skin issues like itches, ringworm, eczema and warts if applied directly to the skin. Some herbalist I know use the sap in cases of acne to reduce scarring and reduce blemishes. They simply make a salve with dandelion in it for this use.
But some people, as noted earlier, are allergic to application of dandelion on the skin so make sure to watch out for any allergic reactions.
Recipe
My personal favorite way to work with this plant is through either tea or tincture. I will usually make a tincture so I can have it on hand when I need it for digestive issues in the winter time and also if you are looking for long term support with dandelion it is best to use a tincture for cases like blood pressure or arthritis.
As a tea it is great for spring support as we transition into summer.
When we look around us in the spring the stagnant winter begins to move and new things come into bloom.
Our body may feel very much like this as we may be dealing with congestion and stuffy noses so we can help support our liver in the natural process in this season with tea.
Ingredients:
1/2 – 2 tsp of dandelion root in small pieces
1 cup of boiling water
Pour water over dandelion and allow to steep for 20 min.
You can also prepare this as a decoction with 2 cups of water and 4 tsp of dandelion as you bring the water to a simmer for 20 min or until the water is reduced by half.
Simply strain and drink in morning time.
Final thoughts
Dandelion is a great herb to incorporate into your wellness plan if you are looking to support your liver seasonally or for long term use for issues like blood pressure or blood sugar level support.
The whole plant can be used and harvested as long as you know that the area from which you are harvesting is free from chemicals.
It is important to make sure that you are not allergic to this plant before using it long term and to ask your healthcare provider if you can incorporate it if you are on any medications or in special circumstances with your health.
If you want to work to incorporate this plant into your season wellness or chronic issues to bring down inflammation and stabilize your liver, do not hesitate to reach out for a free consultation to see if we are a good fit for your issue.
God bless you and yours
Krystina
