Dandelion
(Taraxacum officinale)
Other Names:
N/A
Range:
Family:
Asteraceae – Composite family
Growth Type:
A Herbaceous Perennial weed which is the bane of lawncare nuts throughout the United States.
Height:
Up to 3 ft in height
Leaves:
Deeply toothed leaves form a basal rosette.
Stem/Trunk:
Single hollow stem on flower
Root:
A deep taproot
Flower Season:
Spring
Flower Appearance:
Composite yellow flowers consisting of disk flower, ray flowers, and bracts.
Seed/Fruit:
When the flower goes to seed, it produces a round white seed cluster which readily release under a gentle breeze.
Miscellaneous characteristics:
Just about every kids has, at one time or another, picked a dandelion flower in seed, and watched the seeds scatter as they blew them free of the flower head.
Habitat:
Lawns and waste areas all over North America
Parts Used:
Leaves, Flowers, Roots
Culinary Uses:
In the early spring, before the plant flowers, the tender young leaves can be added to salads, or used as a cooked vegetable. Once the plant flowers, most people the leaves are too bitter to eat. I however, still like the flavor they bring to salads, I have also used the leaves from spring through autumn as a cooked vegetable. The leaves are very high in Vitamin & minerals. A tea made from the leaves is used as a tonic to promote general health. When dry roasted, and ground, the root is supposed to make a good coffee substitute, although I have not personally tried it. The flowers can be dipped in a batter and fried to make a tasty fritter. The flower tops can also be made into a wonderfully delicate wine. It is important to note that you must not use any of the green underside part of the flower (the sepals), as this will impart an unpleasant bitterness to your wine. It takes a while to gather enough flowers to make wine, but your work will be rewarded, as this is one of the best wines I have ever tasted.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics
Taste: Bitter
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying
Medicinal Uses:
It is important to note that like with many other plants, just by eating dandelion, you will reap numerous health benefits. The flowers, leaves, and roots have strong anti-inflammatory properties. Root tea has been used as a diuretic, and to treat ailments of the liver, gall bladder, kidney, and bladder. Dandelion has been shown effective at dissolving and eliminating urinary and biliary stones and gravel. A tea or decoction made from the leaves has also been used as a tonic to treat the liver, weak or impaired digestion, and constipation. I make an ointment from the flowers which I find to be HIGHLY effective at alleviating joint pain caused by arthritis.
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
None Known
Possible Side Effects:
None Known
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Medicinal Actions:
Alterative,
Antacid,
Antidiabetic,
Antihydropic,
Anti-Inflammatory,
Antilithic,
Antioxidant,
Antirheumatic,
Antiscorbutic,
Aperient,
Astringent,
Cholagogue,
Diuretic,
Galactagogue,
Hepatic,
Laxative,
Lithotriptic,
Lymphatic,
Tonic: Kidney,
Tonic: Liver
Herbal Preparations For Taraxacum officinale
00 Capsules
Strong Decoction
Part Used: Root
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 ounces of fresh root into a pan. Add 1 quart of water and bring to a boil. Continue to boil over medium heat, stirring periodically, until reduced by half. Cool the mixture and strain and drink.
Dosage: 2-4 oz up to four times daily as needed
Infusion
Part Used: Leaves
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 ounces of the fresh chopped leaves into a quart mason jar and fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 3-6 oz As Needed
Infused Oil
Part Used: Flower Heads
Plant State: Fresh
In a quart mason jar, thoroughly mix 1 ounce of dried, or 2 ounce of fresh, flower heads and 6 ounces by weight of the oil of your choice. Cover the jar and place in a sunny spot for a month or so. Strain your oil, return to the cleaned jar and store in the refrigerator until needed.
Crock Pot Method: (My favorite)
Place 1 ounce of dried, or 2 ounces of fresh, flower heads and 6 ounces by weight of grape seed oil into a blender, and blend until thoroughly mixed. Transfer the mixture to a crock pot, making sure to use a rubber spatula to get every bit of the mixture. Now set the dial to its lowest setting, and allow to heat uncovered for 12 hours. After this time has elapsed, place the cover on the crock pot and turn the switch to off. Allow the pot to sit covered until the following morning. Then turn the crock pot once again to its lowest setting, remove the cover, and allow to heat uncovered for an additional 12 hours. Once this time has elapsed, allow the oil to cool enough that you can touch it without burning yourself, and then strain the oil from the plant material. Now place the strained infused oil into a pint-sized mason jar and store it in the refrigerator until needed. (When straining my infused oils, I line a fine metal sieve with cheesecloth, and set the sieve over a glass bowl. I then pour the mixture into the strainer, and let it sit until all the oil has drained. Once it appears that it has completely drained, you will notice that there is much less than the 6 ounces of oil you started with. I then gather the ends of the cheesecloth, and twist with my hands to wring out every bit of oil I can. I am always surprised how much oil is still released from the plant material. You can expect to yield just over 5 ounces by weight of your infused oil)
Dosage: You can apply infused oil topically as needed to ease arthritis pain. You can also follow the directions below to turn your infused oil into an ointment or salve.
Dosage: Use to make ointment or salve
Ointment or Salve
Infused oils are turned into ointments and salves. I have found a 5:1 ration by weight of infused oil to bee's wax yields the best consistency of ointment. In a medium saucepan, heat 5 ounces, by weight, of your previously prepared infused oil over low heat. When the oil is hot enough, stir in 1 ounce of grated bees wax until completely dissolved.
Dosage: Apply topically as needed to alleviate arthritis pain.
Tincture
Part Used: Flower heads
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh flower heads then pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard to soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: apply topically as needed to alleviate arthritis pain.
Tincture
Part Used: Root
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh leaves and then pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and then place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard to soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 1/2 - 1 tsp up to 3 times daily
Dandelion Video
