Latin name: Taraxacum Officianale Botanical family: Asteracea
Energetics (Chinese medicine): Drying, cooling Properties:
🌼 Diuretic
🌼 Nutritional
🌼 Liver support
🌼 Stimulates appetite
🌼 Supports immune system
🌼 Supports kidney function
🌼 Anti-inflammatory
🌼 Antioxidant-rich
Safety: For all ages. Can be used in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Safe both internally and externally. Be cautious or do not use if you have an allergy to ragweed.
Most people consider dandelions “weeds,” but they are one of the most beneficial plants around! Ironically, we spend so much time and money trying to kill them using toxic chemicals, while the plants themselves can support our livers and kidneys and promote detox. It’s nearly impossible to kill dandelions, anyway, because their taproot can go up to 30 feet deep, and if there’s any piece of it left, it will regrow.
But why would we want to kill this beautiful plant?! It’s in season around mid-late April in northern climates, although it blooms sporadically during warm months. The flowers are open and yellow (composed of many tiny petals) during the day, and close at night and during cool, wet weather. They turn to white puffballs of seeds after a couple of weeks, and the wind carries them everywhere. Dandelions spread easily!
The whole plant is edible and medicinal. The roots are best harvested in the fall when the stored energy is highest, at or after the second year. They can be used raw in tea or tincture to promote liver health. Roasted, they make a nice coffee substitute.
The leaves are bitter in flavor and rich in several vitamins and minerals. They can be eaten in salads, or made into tea or tincture. They support kidney health and are sometimes called “nature’s multivitamin.”
The flowers have mild pain-relieving properties, and are nice infused in oil to make a salve or cream for sore muscles. They are also edible, and can be tossed in salads, used to make jelly or wine. Some also use them to make cookies, muffins, or fritters.
Enjoy all that dandelions have to offer!
Earthley products containing dandelion are:
🌼 Sun Shield
🌼 All Purpose Salve
🌼 Nourish Her Naturally
🌼 Nourish Me Naturally
🌼 Baby Balm
🌼 Pain Potion
🌼 Sinus Saver
🌼 Cough-B-Gone
🌼 Immune-Biotic
🌼 Natural Balance
🌼 Mama’s Tummy Relief
🌼 UT-Relief
I also love dandelion detox tea. You can find in most grocery stores.
Learn more about this herb and recipes for dandelions.
Learn more uses for this powerful herb.
(Note: be sure the dandelions you forage are not sprayed with pesticides or fertilizers.)
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