Dandelion: Healing flower power for darn near everything

Since the advent of the lawn, dandelion has become an insidious enemy to be eradicated.  In earlier times, however, dandelions were deliberately planted and held in high esteem, an esteem reflected in their Latin name, Taraxacum officinal, which translates roughly into, “Heals darn near everything.”  

Every part of the dandelion plant can be used as either medicine or food: the leaves eaten fresh are like a vitamin boost, the sap in the stems can help with skin ailments, the roots in tea or tincture form can be used for a wide variety of problems, and the flowers can be made into an oil and applied topically for pain relief.

Native Americans and American pioneers used dandelions to cleanse their bodies from the heavy, fatty and salty winter diets. The bitter leaves were eaten for their outstanding nutrient profile - they leave spinach and kale in the dust, especially for iron and calcium, making them a good alternative for the anemic and for those who cannot tolerate dairy foods.

Dandelion’s bitter flavor aids digestion.  Add fresh leaves to salad or soak fresh leaves overnight in cold water to remove the latex and some bitterness and then add to salads much like arugala.

The white sap in the stem can be used on a variety of skin problems. Just crush the stem and apply the sap topically. 

The roots were dug up in the fall and used medicinally for cleansing and detoxifying, improving gastro-intestinal health, and improving bowel function (works equally well for constipation or diarrhea).

The French call dandelion, “pissenlit” which translates to “piss in bed,” an allusion to its superlative diuretic properties

It is useful for unstable blood sugar; high blood pressure; breast health and improving milk supply for breast-feeding; alleviating gout; lowering cholesterol; and even weight reduction. 

The dried, ground roots have also been used along with chickory root as a coffee replacement, packing the same bitter punch without the cost of importing.

Fresh or wild-crafted preparations of dandelion are best. Pills, regardless of the level of quality, bypass the body’s natural defense system. In natural medicine, a big component of the medicinal action is the experience and effect of the taste of the herb.

Capsules also have to seep into the system through the digestive tract which is less efficient than placing a few drops of tinctured preparation under the tongue where the message of the medicine can be directly transmitted into the bloodstream.

The yellow color of its flowers makes Dandelion a liver remedy. The liver rules the muscles and tendons and is associated with feelings of anger, which is why dandelion flower oil can help to alleviate many aches and pains.

An oil made from the flowers functions like an herbal version of “Bengay”, relaxing and releasing the emotions locked in the muscles that are causing the pain. 

Dandelion flower oil, applied topically, can be used for restless legs as well as a top-notch complexion oil to clear the skin from blemishes, age spots, acne and other problems caused by toxic liver or digestive problems.  Just gently massage the oil onto your freshly washed and toned face before bed.  Below, is my recipe for making your own dandelion oil. 

DANDELION FLOWER OIL RECIPE

Ingredients

• Freshly picked dandelion flower heads. Way more than you think. They shrink as they dry. 

• Canning (glass) jar, depending on the volume of oil you’d like to make. 

• A good-quality organic oil

Gathering

1.    Find a location at least 50 feet from a road or power lines that is not fertilized and is pesticide and herbicide-free. 

2.    Flowers should be picked in the late morning, after the dew has burned off and at the peak of bloom. For this recipe, only the flower heads are needed. 

3.    The flowers are most potent when it has not rained for at least one day prior, ideally two days. 

4.    Dandelions are fairly hardy and prolific, but it is still important to be mindful of the ecology of the plant and to not overharvest any one area. Pick a few flowers from each group. It’s also nice to thank the flowers. 

Preparing

1.    The gathered flowers should be kept in a brown paper bag or wicker basket (one that is not coated with any lacquer, paint, or other chemicals) in a shaded area and dried overnight or up to 24 hours. Longer is okay too, but the medicine is more potent the more fresh the flower is. I keep mine in my kitchen and give the bag a little shake every time I walk by to help them dry evenly. 

Soaking

1.    When your flowers have dried, place them in your mason jar and add some oil. 

2.    Use the chop stick to macerate and squash the flowers. Really pack the flowers in the jar and then break them up with the chop stick. (I should note here that other implements may be used, although some metals interact negatively with the medicinal properties. (Wood is good)).  

3.    Add enough oil to cover thoroughly and use the chop stick again to help get rid of any air bubbles. 

4.    Cover your jar and label it with the date, herb, agent (the type of oil), and the gathering location. 

5.    Place the mason jar in/on the bowl/saucer. As it soaks, oil will leak out, just pour it back in the jar. 

6.    Check on your oil periodically to make sure that no mold has formed and prod with the chop stick to remove air bubbles. 

Decanting 

1.    After six weeks your oil will be ready. 

2.    Get a fresh, clean jar and place the funnel into the jar. Take a cheese cloth and pour the oil-soaked dandelions into the cheese cloth and squeeze through the funnel into the new jar. 

3.    Label the new jar with the same information (date, herb, agent (type of oil), gathering location). 

4.    Your oil will be good until the oil goes rancid.