Making Peace with the Plants: Dandelion’s Springtime Gifts

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Making Peace with the Plants: Dandelion’s Springtime Gifts


By Rebecca A. Kinman, MH


“ A veritable army of weed killers and tools has been employed to get rid of this lawn ‘spoiler’, but have you ever seen a field made a glorious sheet of gold by millions of dandelions?”

– Adrienne Crowhurst

Wide, sunny flowers and milky hollow stems shamelessly spread themselves on lawns and irritated grounds all over North America. Taraxacum officinale--or common dandelion--sprouts up profusely this time of year with a very important mission: to heal the humans.

Some herbalists believe that medicinal herbs grow were they are most needed. Dandelion is no exception. Given the magnitude of daily toxins we are exposed to, there’s no wonder nature has graced us with an abundance of one of the plant kingdom’s best internal cleansers. A documented liver protectant, kidney tonic and skin healer, this nutrient powerhouse is gentle enough for nursing moms yet potent enough to assist serious conditions such as cancer and hepatitis. So when planning your spring cleanse this year, let’s look beyond the “weed” stereotype and make use of this plant’s versatility.

The Root and Liver Cleansing

In the Royal Land of Detox, the liver is Queen and Dandelion is her Majesty’s first lady in waiting. Bring the two together, and you have a well-groomed liver and the Kingdom of your body is likely to function smoothly with a happy leader.

One of the liver’s jobs is to eliminate toxins. Dandelion root is full of compounds called tannins which protect and cleanse the liver. Taraxacin, another important material in the root, assists in digestive health by pumping bile from the gallbladder and increasing saliva. (Be sure not to take dandelion if you suffer from gallstones or a blocked bile duct.)

The Skin Connection

A healthy liver means vibrant skin. A strong, protected liver coupled with a properly functioning digestive system ensures that toxins exit the body normally. When we take the root in tincture, tea, or capsule form for dandelion’s cleansing effect, we’re promoting clear skin. Turn to dandelion root when experiencing complicated issues such as acne, psoriasis, eczema and jaundice.


Let Dandelion be your Food and your Food be the Leaves & Flowers

Dandelion leaf is one of the most well-known herbal diuretics, but unlike conventional ones, it supplies us with potassium instead of depleting it. It’s a stimulant for the entire urinary system, helping issues such as urinary tract infections, (UTI’s) kidney infections, kidney stones and water retention. It’s also exploding with nutrients. Eat dandelion leaf for fiber, calcium, magnesium, boron, iodine, iron, chromium and more.

Just when you thought only parts of this plant were worth saving, I’m here to tell you that the flowers are not just a sign of your reluctance to do yard work.. They contain lutein, a component commonly used for eye health, and lecithin, a popular supplement used to aid in cholesterol levels. Put them in salads or follow this recipe for dandelion flower wine.

Dandelion Wine (Recipe from www.foodreference.com)

1 gal. dandelion flowers
1 gal. boiling water
3 lbs. Raw sugar
3 oranges, cut in small squares
3 lemons, cut in small squares
1 oz. yeast


Pick dandelion flowers, early in the morning, taking care not to have a particle of the bitter stem attached.

Pour the boiling water over the flowers and let stand three days.

Strain and add the rest of the ingredients and let stand to ferment for three weeks.

Strain and bottle.


Temper Tamer

Bubbling up because the dog pooped on the trail and you have no baggie? Gritting your teeth because the coffee shop is out of Peruvian brew? According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Spring is the time of anger, and anger is the emotion of the liver. If I haven’t already emphasized it enough, dandelion root is great for the liver. So if you’re commonly pissed over the minuscule, your liver could be stomping its feet for dandelion.







Unifying Genders

Dandelion is a progressive plant that believes in equal healing rights for men and women. Susun Weed, a highly respected women’s health guru, calls dandelion “Ze lover of Ze ladies” and asks females to take 10 drops of dandelion root tincture before bed to alleviate PMS. The Root is also used to promote lactation for breastfeeding. Guys, the root’s also very high in zinc, the mineral known to assist prostate function and lessen irritation in the prostate area. No need to pay umpteen dollars a pound for oysters. Dig up the roots in your yard for free.

Harvesting & Use

Speaking of digging roots, If you can stand to keep your dandelion alive in the backyard all summer, pull them up in the fall before the first frost. In the meantime, the leaf can be “trimmed” before flowering, rinsed and steamed with butter all summer long. Add a little fresh basil & parmesan cheese and BAM Itallian dandelion greens. Don’t worry about the slightly bitter taste. The flavor means that the medicine is working.

Note: Remember only to harvest plants that are 50 feet or more away from main roads to ensure that your food is free of carbon emissions. For the more grab-and-go types with no time to get your hands dirty, contact one of our local herbalists for dandelion preparations to suit your needs.

An Abundant Resource

One of the most sustainable things we can do is utilize the plants that grow all around us. Dandelion isn’t here simply to invade your lettuce crop and speckle your lawn. It’s here to promote the wholeness that we all deserve and strive for. So think twice next time you chop their little heads off with the lawnmower and send the flowers to the landfill. Let’s make wine and celebrate instead.


Rebecca A. Kinman is a Master Herbalist, freelance writer and poet who joyfully celebrates nature in Bozeman, MT. She can be reached at rk_inthenow@yahoo.com or 406-579-6733.



Resources:

American Materia Medica,
Therapeutics and
Pharmacognosy
By FINLEY ELLINGWOOD, M.D.




Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases by James A Duke

Healing Wise by Susun Weed

Taraxacum officinale
By Alice Nevarez, Andrea Medina, Jermaine Carter

www.acupuncture.com

www.wikipedia.com