I know most people think of dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) as weeds; however, by definition, all herbs are weeds. That kind of makes you think, doesn’t it? But dandelions are more than just weeds (or herbs). More often than not, they’re the first flower of spring, and so hold a special place in our body’s “spring cleaning” process.
Just as we sort of neglect giving our homes a good cleaning during the winter, our bodies do the same. During the cold months we conserve energy and naturally slow down; evolutionarily speaking, we just don’t get inspired to really move during the winter. (Besides, isn’t one of the joys of winter the ability to curl up on the couch with a warm blanket, a book, and hot chocolate? Yes! Heaven!) Our metabolisms slow down to conserve energy, food, and warmth, so the detoxing organs (the liver and kidneys) get a little sluggish, too.
Then spring appears and we get all revved up again. We can’t wait to rid our living space of any dust, clutter, and grime. That urge to clean is really a manifestation of what’s going on inside our bodies; our winter-logged systems want that same kind of airing out. Dandelion supports the body as it rids itself of stored metabolic wastes, toxins, and excess fat.
Dandelion is practically an herbal apothecary all unto itself: as a powerhouse liver and kidney tonic, it acts as a diuretic, so wastes are removed quickly from the body. As a bitter herb, it stimulates the digestive system, causing you to absorb nutrients from your food more efficiently so that less metabolic waste is generated. This means that the liver can focus on the really important tasks, like helping to rid the body of excess fat stores. And, like all early spring greens, dandelion leaves are loaded with vitamins and trace minerals — something the body has traditionally lacked over the winter.
But you don’t have to wait around until March to start “spring cleaning” your body. The lovely things about dandelions are that they bloom multiple times during the growing season, and the entire plant — flowers, leaves, roots, and all — dry and keep easily and beautifully for use throughout the colder months. No matter what time of year it happens to be, a little nutritional boost is always a good thing.
If you harvest dandelions, be sure that they are at least 100 yards away from a road and contain no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Also be sure that you have permission to harvest if you aren’t on your own land (a universal truth that I’ve discovered — no one will begrudge the loss of their dandelions; in fact, people will call and beg you to come to their house and harvest). Gather only young leaves to avoid bitterness. If the flower bud has already formed, cut the plant to the ground and wait for new foliage to appear, then harvest and cut to the ground again. You can do this a few times before the leaves get too bitter. Let some flowers bloom, however; they are good for bees and various syrups and dandelion wines. You can eat the leaves raw or steamed, or dry them for brewing up later as tea.
You can gather dandelion anytime during the growing season, but gather roots, which are especially healing for the liver, after the first frost, when the nutrients have collected in the root. The long taproot is easiest to dig when the weather is wet and the soil is soft. See dandelion “coffee” box for how to roast and store.
Dandelion root
Parts used: Flower, leaves, roots
How to harvest: Harvest anywhere away from roadsides and potential pesticide/chemical fertilizer use
Effects on body: Detoxifying, nutritive, overall general good health
Effects on mind and spirit: Inspires zest and a love for life and offers relief from being overly committed
Safety first: Use with caution if you suffer from gallstones; also, remove the stem, which is quite unappetizing, before using your herb
As I’ve already declared from the proverbial rooftops, dandelion is a superhero tonic for the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, stomach, and digestive system. It also helps reduce inflammation related to hepatitis and cirrhosis. Furthermore, dandelion is very high in vitamins A and C, beta-carotene, potassium, iron, and copper. (In other words, dandelion is a major nutritional jump-start for your body after a winter of heavy meals and maybe just a little too much eggnog.) Dandelion serves as a tonic for your whole body, helping correct elimination problems such as constipation, gallstones, indigestion, sluggishness, and fatigue. It also helps fight skin problems and may ease the impact of diabetes by helping to regulate low blood sugar and lowering cholesterol.
Okay, so, where do you start? Well, you can begin by simply adding the young greens to your salads, or lightly steaming or sautéing them. If those options aren’t that appealing to you, try a tea. But, a few notes: As a strong diuretic (which means it helps clear waste and excess fluid from your system — great for relieving bloating, by the way), dandelion shouldn’t be ingested at the same time as other medicines; otherwise, those drugs will flow right out of your system. Aim for a dandelion-free window of 30 minutes before to 60 minutes after ingesting any drugs or medications. And, as always, talk to your healthcare provider before taking any herbs.
Remember how keenly flower essences work with the mind? (See Flower Essence vs. Essential Oil box if you don’t.) Since dandelion is so prolific, it’s quite easy to harvest enough blossoms to make your own flower essence (see Appendix I). Dandelion essence inspires a natural intensity and love for life — just looking at how prolifically and often the cheerful dandelion blooms is definitely proof enough! However, dandelion will also help you if you tend to find yourself compulsively busy, overly committed, or overly scheduled. This essence is great for anyone — children included — feeling overwhelmed by the amount of activity and responsibility in their lives, especially when that activity level is self-inflicted.
When you become addicted to activity and have a hard time sitting still or being with yourself, your body is sending out the call for dandelion essence. Tension can result when the mind wants to remain busy but the body needs to relax. Dandelion teaches us to listen to our innermost needs — the needs of the heart, not of the head. A few drops under the tongue, and in no time you’re lying in your hammock with a book and a cup of tea (or, just maybe, a margarita), wondering why the heck you didn’t try this relaxation stuff ages ago.
And if those addictions, anger, and frustrations arise and once again you feel that you’re unable to get your life under control or are overwhelmed by what life is throwing at you (or what you have inadvertently invited life to throw at you), pick up your essence bottle. Breathe. Add a few drops to a thermos of water and sip throughout the day.
The beautiful thing about dandelions is that they can bloom anywhere — city, countryside, between cracks in the sidewalk, on roadsides, and in wastelands. They are a constant reminder of how tenacious, determined, and renewable nature is. When you’re feeling lost, alone, or unable to grow or express yourself, go on a dandelion hunt. Sit by the plants and just commune with them for a moment. Ask permission to pick a few blossoms; give thanks, and take them home. Place the blossoms in a bright vase where you can see them on a daily basis. Allow them to remind you of how easily you can persevere as long as you open yourself up to natural forces and let your true self blossom as brightly and relentlessly as the dandelion.
Similarly, use dandelion magic when you’re going through a change in life — physically, emotionally, or hormonally (e.g., pregnancy or menopause). Think of how the dandelion goes from simple green leaves to bright yellow flowers to the fluffy seed pod that blows so blissfully in the breeze. Each of the dandelion’s stages of development is radically different from the last, yet it moves swiftly and gracefully through each.
As for magical associations, dandelion is linked with the planet Jupiter (the planet which represents hard work), but it is also associated with the sun and the moon (the yellow flower, the sun, and the seed puff, the moon). Its element is air, and it is associated with the feminine.
Feeling anxious? Stressed? Worried? Gather dandelion flowers to cheer you up or spend an afternoon blowing the seed heads, scattering your worries, fears, and inhibitions to the wind.
When separated from a loved one, gather as many seed heads as you can, and instill each with messages and wishes of love for those absent. Blow on the flower, scattering the intention-laden seeds to the wind and to those far away.
Looking for a magic potion? It is said that drinking dandelion root tea promotes and aids the development of psychic and clairvoyant powers. If this is your bag, try drinking a cup nightly, about an hour before bed to inspire prophetic dreams (and, seriously, be sure it’s an hour or more before bed; any closer and that diuretic dandelion power will have you up several times that night . . . trust me). Alternatively, leave a cup of steaming tea by your bedside to invite inspiration, creativity, and problem-solving while you sleep.
For a truly natural (and magical) clock and weather chart, keep an eye on the dandelions in your yard. They almost always open at 5 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. If dandelion blossoms close during the day, expect rain to fall.
Nutrient-dense tea. Rinse one handful of young dandelion leaves under cold water. Chop the leaves roughly and put in a preheated mug. Pour boiling water over the leaves, cover, and steep for 10 minutes. Drink as much of this as you like — it’s a wonderful nutritive to restore the body after a long illness or a long winter!
Dandelion sun tea or lemonade. If you have a lot of dandelion blossoms in your (pesticide-free) yard, choose a sunny morning and harvest a quart or two. Place the blossoms in a clear glass quart jar, and fill with tea or lemonade (or juice of choice). Put the jar in a sunny spot for a few hours, then strain and drink.
Digestive tea. You’ll need 1 ounce of dandelion root (if you harvest your own, be sure to rinse it under running water and scrub with a sturdy brush in order to remove loose dirt), 1 ounce of dandelion leaves, 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds, and 1 teaspoon of peppermint or spearmint leaves (optional, and exclude if you’re making this tea for children).
Simmer the dandelion root and fennel seed in 11⁄2 cups water for 10 minutes. Strain and pour over the dandelion and mint leaves. Let this steep for 10 more minutes, then strain. Drink this tea 20 minutes before or after every meal to stimulate gastric juices and ease digestion.
Detox tea. You can drink this tea to detoxify the body, or use it as a facial wash to help detox and tone the skin. You’ll need 1 ounce of each of the following: dandelion root, burdock root, dandelion leaves, red clover blossoms, and nettle leaves.
Simmer the burdock and dandelion roots for 10 minutes in 2 cups water. Strain the tea over the leaves and blossoms and steep for another 10 minutes and strain again. Drink as much of this daily as you like. If using it as a toner, add 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar — it helps kill bacteria and acts as an astringent — and stick it in the fridge.
If you’ve given up (or want to give up) coffee, then you can use roasted roots in place of coffee grounds for an awesome (and medicinal!) herbal “coffee.” Carefully wash the roots, chop them, then roast in a 250°F/120°C oven, occasionally turning the pieces until they are dry and aromatic. This can take a few hours; keep checking the roots, taking care not to burn them. You can store these for several months in a clean, airtight container at room temperature. (You can also buy pre-roasted root, if you prefer.)
Take 1 tablespoon of your roasted dandelion root and simmer it in 1 cup water for 10 minutes. Change the amount of root used depending on your personal taste. Doctor it up as you would your favorite coffee. You can also use this to make mochas, lattes, mocha-lattes, and what-have-you.
Dandelion is a wonderful detoxing agent for the skin. Brew up this toner to cleanse skin, get rid of impurities, and help heal outbreaks. Also try your hand at making dandelion oil to rub on sore muscles, and dandelion salve to use on cracked, dried skin or acne outbreaks (see Appendix II and Appendix III for recipes).
Use dandelion flowers fresh in this salad for color and interest. Or, as a great side dish, dip the flowers in a batter of your choice and fry up into dandelion fritters, or steam them and add to vegetable side dishes.
Serves 4
This recipe comes from my Great-Aunt Lois. It’s the ultimate comfort food, but I like to gourmet-it-up with some colorful, heirloom carrots, dandelion greens, and a really good, deep cheese like a Spanish manchego.
Makes approximately 2 cups syrup
Dandelion flower syrup is a great way to get the benefits of this early spring tonic into the little ones of your household. Use to sweeten hot drinks, on its own, or as a syrup for French toast or pancakes. Using honey instead of sugar makes this a marvelous cough and cold remedy.
Makes 16 cups
Can you think of a better way to get your herbs than in wine? I think not. The best part? Opening a bottle and enjoying a glass of dandelion wine on a cold winter’s night, remembering the bright yellow bounty of your first spring harvest.
Serves 4
My dad used to make these stuffed mushrooms and they are a-m-a-z-i-n-g. The addition of some healthy, slightly bitter dandelion greens is the perfect foil for the rich cheesy buttery-ness of these guys.
Since dandelions are all about detoxification, we’ll work with a twist known as Reclining Twist or Twisted Roots. This pose works well to detoxify the internal organs and is wonderful for digestion and for spinal health. The twist, plus the pressure of breathing deeply into the belly, helps to squeeze out all of the old blood and toxins. And when you untwist, all the fresh blood and oxygen are allowed to rush back in.
Starting position. Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet planted on the floor. Stretch your arms out to your sides in the shape of a T.
Twisting. Inhale. As you exhale, let your knees drop to the left and turn your head to the right. Try to get that right shoulder as close to the mat as possible. This is Reclining Twist. If this is pretty easy for you, bring your knees back to center and cross your right leg over the left, then drop them again to the left. Stay as long as you like. When you’re ready, bring your knees to center on an inhale, switch the crossed leg, exhale, and drop them to the other side.
Reclining Twist
Finishing. Hug your knees into your chest and rock gently if it feels good. Breathe and stay here as long as you like.
