Herbal Dreams

(Or, Giving Obnoxious Weeds a Chance to Earn Their Keep)

Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale

My entire life I have been drawn to Taraxacum. To most it is a strong willed and stubborn weed destroying the pride and joy that is their pesticide doused, religiously trimmed, and mechanically watered lawn. It is an obstinate pest making a mockery of their submission to the neighborhood doctrine. Children love them, but adults don’t understand why they can’t just follow the rules. To me, it has always been a cherished flower; the embodiment of all I have ever felt. Vibrant, bright, free, yet constantly repressed, abused, and misunderstood.

Although she downright loves to nestle into rich, moist soil, you are likely to find this warrior weed just about everywhere. The dandelion is able to survive situations and environments that would cause many plants to give up almost instantly. She is an adamant species that can be pulled, plucked, and perceivably drowned in herbicides and yet return even stronger than before. If even the tiniest piece of her root is left, a new plant sprouts. Better yet, if while trying to destroy her you leave multiple fragments, you will get multiple plants in return for the one life you so casually attempted to extinguish. She can endure the harshest of treatment and still readily share her golden smile, emanating more elegance than the prissiest, most pampered petunias lining any given walkway. It is this positive energy, in spite of the masses that are against her free spirit, her ceaselessly sunny disposition through it all, which gives me inspiration.

I don’t know that there is any part of her that is anything less than impressive. Let us start with her deepest parts and work our way up.

The Roots

Anchoring the dandelion is a strong and stable tap root. It has a dark and mysterious outer skin artfully disguising the pristine milky insides. The root tapers with wise folds and slight curves. It feels solid and fleshy in the palm of your hand; feels heavy with an ancient consciousness that I can only vaguely brush up against. I have read that they can reach up to a foot in length, but have only unearthed roots about 4-5 inches long.

Contained within Taraxacum’s rapturous root is a surplus of nourishing vitamins and minerals. Most beneficially it is packed full of antioxidant vitamins A, D, C and B complex. It is thoroughly comprised of zinc, iron, calcium and potassium. While the abundance of vitamins, minerals and micro-nutrients is enough to make it worthy of our love and consumption, it doesn’t end there.

Although the leaves have been used for thousands of years, from what I have found, the root has only more recently been used medicinally. Dandelion is a bitter herb, which stimulates all levels of digestion to begin their process. It is this general downward flow of energy that is dandelion’s signature. The root is most commonly praised as a liver tonic and laxative. Its bitters help the gallbladder and liver in the production and flow of bile. If you need to clean some toxins out of your system, dandelion root is the way to go. My own intimate encounters have proven it to be a soothing diuretic while suffering from bladder infections. Nothing has ever given such great relief to the discomforts of these infections, and never so instantly. It has also helped in relieving painful intestinal gas.

My first dance with dandelion root was years ago. I was working on putting an end to a debilitating bout of alcohol abuse and found myself craving herbal love. It was to be assumed that not only would my liver need a good flushing but that my entire body needed to be nourished and cleansed. After browsing through some of my thrifted herbals, dandelion seemed the most appropriate ally for my situation. I decided I would pull a few roots out of the front lawn and make some dandelion root coffee. I only drank a few cups then, but the taste and feeling left a positive impression in my memory. A few years later, I bought a couple cups of the dried cut root from my favorite health food store. After being intrigued by the idea of dandelion root coffee I roasted a quarter of it. The roasted root has a delicious aroma reminiscent of milk and cookies. The taste is hearty, yet delicately bitter, and quickly incorporated itself into the desirable section in my Rolodex of flavours. I have read that it makes for a great wild food, and plan on finding this out first hand after we get a good frost. I think a stir fry or soup sounds intriguingly worthwhile.

If you were to find yourself interested in getting to know this useful bit of life, the most appropriate times to do so are early spring or late fall, after the first frost. Not only are they easier to dig up, but they are also at their most abundant states as far as nutritional/medicinal quality goes. Keep in mind, that dandelion, like most plants, act upon the earth the same way they do our bodies. Just as Taraxacum can pull the toxins out of your body and replace them with nutrients, it can pull the toxins from the earth and give back nutrients. This means that you want to be sure that the land you are gathering your dandelion root from is free of pesticides and chemicals of any sort. If you are intrigued by the idea of trying some dandelion root yet not quite sold on getting dirt under your fingernails, you can always find it in the bulk section of your local health food store.

The Leaves

From their dark roots, dandelion leaves burst through the earth in a rosette arrangement. Some of the fiercest show very defined jagged teeth as they sprawl themselves out against the ground. Others, a little less intense, will come out more curved and only slightly toothy. It always amazes me how vastly different dandelion leaves can look and yet there is never any doubt that they are the vivacious Taraxacum. I imagine most people have been introduced to dandelion’s leaves at some point in their life, so I will spare you the detailed description. However, I must express my appreciation for the silvery red vein that can evolve, looking like a ribbon strung right through the middle. And their smooth texture has always been a joy to run between my fingers. But then, I have a tendency toward petting plants of all kinds.

Whether serrated and severe or smooth and serene, the leaves of dandelion are nutritionally generous. They are a superior source of vitamins A, C, D, and B complex, along with calcium, iron and potassium; harboring anywhere from 3-10 times the amount contained in spinach. When combined with the digestive stimulation this plant promotes, its nutritional value and accessibility make it a perfect dinner (or lunch) guest.

As I mentioned, dandelion is a bitter herb and it is exactly this bitter taste that triggers the digestive actions that are necessary for it to work most of its magik. As much as that may be true, if you are used to eating store bought food, a mouthful of dandelion leaves alone will most likely make your face twist up and your tongue go stiff. Don’t worry. Don’t deny it a place in your meal plan. You can start small, mixing a few fresh picked leaves in with your usual salad or sandwich. Once you dress it up in your typical individual way, you will find the sparse bursts of bitter-wild to be enchanting. It can be taken one step further if you like by adding it to pesto, soups, pizza and pasta dishes just the way you would use spinach. I have had great success with turning this into pesto, usually with a hint of basil, a handful of violet leaves, a few cloves of garlic and any amount of walnuts.

There is something refreshingly empowering that makes its way into my being when I realize that I am healing myself with my food. Dandelion leaves are as diuretic in action as its hidden half, some might claim more. Its abundance of potassium makes it ideal for this as most diuretics will deplete your body of potassium in the process of eliminating so much fluid. As a result, you usually will need to take a potassium supplement. I will admit that I am biased, but it seems that adding dandelion to your diet would be the most efficient and cost effective way to achieve diuretic action. That general downward flow of dandelion proves helpful in a variety of cases, from urinary infections, respiratory problems and skin conditions. Essentially, by freeing your body of excess fluids, built up toxins and replenishing with vital nutrients, you are giving it the perfect conditions to heal itself the way it is designed to.

Taraxacum leaves seem to have an affinity for the ladies. Of course it is a promising herb for everyone, including your little ones and your furry ones, but it seems to lend a special helping hand to women and their needs. During that lovely time of the month when we lose a potential for new life, and a piece of ourselves that we have intimately cradled since we came into this world (not to mention our patience, loads of iron, and any bit of self confidence we had in that bikini, or gorgeous dress) dandelion is a great ally to have. It restores iron, helps relieve bloating and helps stabilize those “mood swings” some claim we are prone to. Dandelion leaves (and roots) are also safe for pregnancy as long as it is not used for long periods of time (vitamin A can build up in the body). It helps in reducing water retention, fills you and the babe up with yummy vitamins and minerals and is as you know by now, nourishing to the liver. After birth, dandelion leaves continue to be cherished companions to women. Your liver is in charge of breaking down unneeded hormones produced during pregnancy, and getting rid of any drugs or medications used during labor and birth. Nourishing this hard working organ with dandelion leaves guarantees speedy elimination while enriching your milk supply. I have also seen claims of it being used topically for sore nipples and mastitis, a painful breast infection.

Whether you are looking for a wild new taste to add to your life, relief from some nagging ailments, or just some nutritional insurance, dandelion is most likely nearby and happy to help. Gathering the leaves can be done from spring to fall, although a lot of people claim they are best in the spring before they ever bloom. The younger leaves are less bitter and tenderer, but the older ones are still edible. I read a few months ago that they are now being sold at markets in New York. Seems absurd to me, but if that’s what gets you to invite this amazing plant into your home, so be it. You can also find the leaves in bulk at health food stores. Of course the dried herb is not ideal for salads but can be used for infusions, soups and breads…be creative.

The Stem

Shooting straight up from the rosette of ambrosial leaves is a hollow, light purple stem. It is silky smooth and light as a feather. I used to enjoy crunching it between my teeth just barely as a child, or breaking it open to watch its milk ooze out. Its pliability combined with those irresistible yellow flowers make it ideal for linking into fae inspired crowns, necklaces and rings.

Although the stalk is not dangerous to eat, it is apparently not a very usual thing to do. Aside from my days of chewing on it, I don’t have any experience with this either. I imagine I will be inclined to try it out next spring.

One possibility as to why Taraxacum’s stalk is not touted as edible could be it’s just too bitter to bother with. The milky substance it bleeds when broken open is surely strong. If this milk keeps people from ingesting the stalk, it is not without good reason. The milk can be applied to warts, corns, pimples, and more. It has anti-bacterial properties, and is used to help heal wounds. I remember applying this milk to a small bunch of warts I had on my leg as a child. I can’t tell you what it was that inclined me to do this, other than perhaps some innate wisdom and a nudge from Taraxacum herself. This sticky milk is also said to be soothing to bee stings and blisters. What an ingenious set of creations…if you happen to get stung by a dandelion-loving-bee while you yourself are doting upon her beauty, your mutual friend has healing milk on tap to ease your discomforts.

I recently read a blog entry about using the stalks as a decoration in water. After splitting them open, and dropping them into the water, they curl up into happy little corkscrews. I am envisioning sacrificing a few of the precious flowers to accompany them in a cool fish bowl swim sometime. Curly Q’s and sunny fluff do synchronized swimming in the window sill…

The Flower

Mmmmm…at long last, the flowers. Those bubbly, succulant, soulful flowers. Those heartwarming, eye drawing, lip smacking flowers. Like round little canaries perched upon flower stalks. The petals are kissable soft like yellow kitten furs sprouting from the earth. I can get lost in the crown like layers of dandelion flowers. The yolky yellow petals gush out in an orgasmic anemone like stretch for the sun. They don’t smell like most flowers, but have a stellar, musky allure all their own. If you have ever stood in a field of dandelions, you are well aware of the sprightly, energetic buzz they can induce upon your psyche. Just thinking about it makes me long for spring, and we have barely even started fall.

I have not yet gotten acquainted with the flowers on anything more than a playful level. As a child there were numerous games played with the flowers. One was to hold it under a persons chin and giggle at the golden reflection because, OBVIOUSLY it meant that they loved butter…which I guess is down right hilarious when you’re 7 years old. Then there was the “Momma had a baby and its head popped off!” which resulted in many a decapitated dandelions; their furry little heads jolted off their stems by the tip of my thumb. I think that was my favorite, the pop being so satisfying. I can’t forget to mention the many different ways in which we found to smear the yellow blossoms all over one another, leaving us streaked with mustard war paint as we headed in for the night. And the most adored of all are the links of garland and crowns so intently crafted. Again, I am typing myself into a longing that will have to wait months to be satisfied…let’s move on to the less enchanting, more useful information.

People make wine, fritters, cookies, pancakes and stir fries with this brazen flower. It has all the easily appreciated nutrients found in the rest of its parts along with a liberal amount of lecithin. Lecithin increases the production of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter involved in learning, mood and memory. As I said, I have no experience with the flower in anyway but play so can only share what I have learned from books and other’s experiences. Most praise dandelion flowers for their pain relieving qualities when it comes to external uses, and I have also read that they can be brewed into a tea to help relieve headaches, backaches, stomachaches, menstrual cramps and depression. Feel free to come back next April or so to see if I have learned anything new from Taraxacum’s pride and joy.

The Seeds

The dandelion can go to seed almost overnight. Its dense, cushiony, canary mane transforms into a light, downy, globe of swan. Each seed is on the edge of its seat ready to be kicked out the nest at any given moment. This is when it’s real magik plays out. Whether it is by wind, by savage beasts, or thoughtful Homo sapiens with a dream to be fulfilled, the brown seeds can float far and wide hanging by a string fastened tight to nature’s tiniest parachute. It is this irresistible sight of a ride that may be most at fault for the abundance of dandelions. It is simply too hard to deny yourself the pleasure of setting these seeds free. The softest breath pushes the dandelion’s future into a sporadic, gentle dance between the ethereal and material that enriches the imagination and brings spirit to the mundane.

As with every plant and every part if buying the herb be sure they are organic and haven’t been sitting on the shelf for a long time. The best way to know how long they have been hanging around in that glass jar waiting for a home is to ask. But never under estimate the power of your own senses…if it is lacking in color and scent, it is probably past its prime and will yield little to no benefits. Another important factor in bringing herbs home is where they came from, and how they were harvested. If you are harvesting your own I strongly advise you look into ETHICAL wildcrafting before you go out. If you are buying, ask the store clerk what they can tell you about the company the herbs come from. Just like with people, plants can act differently, and treat you in different ways depending on how they were treated by the people that came before you.

Special thanks to Paul David Randall for putting this blog together for me, for being the inspiring force behind it, and for the breathtaking photos of our son and me. To Kaycee Newell for her brilliant design work on my website. And to my mother Carol Sue for offering such perfectly embodied portraits of Taraxacum officinale.

Tags: Dandelion

This entry was posted on Friday, September 18th, 2009 at 8:59 PM and is filed under Plant Overview. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.