Dandelion

Dandelion
Taraxucum officinale
Compositae

Dandelion is a non-native perennial that grows in many places. Considered a troublesome weed in some areas, Dandelion grows in a rosette from a tap root. The leaves are deep green, long and narrow with coarsely toothed edges. The flower stems are hollow and hold a milky sap. The flowers are unmistakably bright yellow disks that attract honeybees in the spring. It is an important food source for bees. The Dandelion blooms in early spring, it seems to like cooler weather. The flower heads are complete as soon as they emerge from the base of the plant displaying an energetic preparedness. The Dandelion flowers are light sensitive and will open early on sunny days, and even close early if it is cloudy. If plucked, Dandelion quickly goes to seed.

Dandelion root has a bitter taste; earthen and salty. It is moist and oily. The leaf is bitter, earthen, salty, moist, and cool.


Dandelion has been used medicinally for centuries. It is a powerful diuretic with a valuable supply of potassium. This makes it safe to use for water retention issues. (Heart problems to PMS and bloating). It is used as a chologague for inflammation of the liver and gall bladder, and congestive jaundice. The bitterness helps get bile moving. Dandelion is helpful for women’s reproductive health by helping the liver break down hormones, for cases of PMS. It is also helpful for rheumatism and as an oil for massaging sore muscles, and assists in clearing the lymphatic system. It has been used traditionally as a spring tonic to clean out stagnation from a winter diet high in rich, fatty foods. Useful in stagnation, it can be called for when there is sleepiness or lethargy. One of the best indications for the use of dandelion is when the tongue has a "mapped" appearance; patches of white coating over red tongue, or when there is a yellow coating present. Dandelion is a valuable food for bees and other insects, and humans as well. It provides great nutrients Like A, C, iron, calcium and potassium.

Common Therapeutic Actions
Diuretic, alterative, laxative, bitter tonic

The flower essence of Dandelion can be used for muscle tension and for (generally) males who are hard-driving and over-striving. Dandelion can help one to listen more closely to emotional messages and bodily needs.

Collection
Collect Dandelion leaves in the Spring for the least bitter taste. Dandelion flower tops collect, dry and use quickly, as they don’t last long. Dandelion leaves grown in the shade can be used later in the summer, and the roots are collected between June and August for their bitter properties.

References
The Earthwise Herbal by Matthew Wood, The New Holistic Herbal by David Hoffmann, The Yoga of herbs by Dr. David Frawley and Dr. Vasant Lad, Herbal Healing for Women by Rosemary Gladstar, The Flower Essence Repertory by Patricia Kaminski and Richard Katz,