Dandelions : to eat or to weed
The weed that many dislike in their yard and wonder why it keeps returning despite many efforts to get rid of it.
Its everlasting tenacity seems to prevent it from complete extinction. Dandelion finds its way back into the places of removal, whether wanted or not. It can be found growing in cities on sidewalks, in cracks along the walkway, and it lives abundantly in the Northern Hemisphere across the world, in many yards and wherever else it can make itself a home. Dandelions are sure to be here as long as they can be and they are happily making their resiliency known.
We can definitely take note and learn from the willpower to survive from this plant. Have you ever noticed the nooks and crannies dandelions will sprout up in the city scapes? See if your awareness will now bring you to these places where this plant decides to make its home and look at how many other plants do the same. From what I’ve noticed, few plants decide to make their way into the random cracks of sidewalks as much as dandelions do. Maybe the spirit of dandelion loves the challenge of planting itself in obscure places that are undesirable to most.
It seems to thrive with this adverse environment.
Maybe this is where the most growth potential is, adding to its adaptability qualities and its tenacious personality. Who knows why it chooses these places, but it’s pretty amazing to witness. These little yellow flowers and white seed heads available for us to make wishes upon, can certainly bring joy if seen as a gift, inspiration and an embodiment of childlike essence; if we choose.
Some insights to possibly consider:
Is there a characteristic or quality about this way of being in the world that may feel inspiring?
How can we more readily take on a challenge and adapt?
How can we expand and thrive where most others would choose to avoid or resist?
What can we learn from observing dandelions in the world?
This weed is actually quite a potent medicine, having been used for generations around the world where it can be found. The leaves, flowers and roots can all be used, each supporting different parts of the body. The leaves are best eaten when young in the beginning of spring. The roots are generally best harvested and eaten once the energy that is going into the flower is gone - so once the top turns white and you can make wishes in the wind - this then means the nutrients are focused on going back into the root. From spring to fall, these roots can be harvested and enjoyed.
To Harvest the roots:
Be certain to harvest where they haven’t been sprayed, away from roadways (so none of those tenacious city ones) and away from road runoff or polluted areas of any kind.
Be sure to ask permission before harvesting, then if it feels like a yes, give an offering to the plant before doing so. An offering can be as simple as gratitude from your heart and your breath (I like to simply blow on the plant with gratitude from my heart simultaneously), a piece of your hair, tobacco, cacao, mugwort, a crystal or something that has special significance to you.
Dig up the root with your hands or a gardening tool if you have one on hand.
Clean the dirt off in water, chop up and simmer for 15 minutes, covered.
The dandelion root can also be soaked in cold water overnight and then simmered the next day for a stronger medicine.
If you want to preserve it, drying it in the oven or dehydrator at 250 degrees until dry is sufficient. I like to dry and roast it to give it a super yummy flavor and to implement as a coffee alternative that is supportive to my body instead of depleting.
What are the benefits of the root on the 4 bodies?
Physical Support- Dandelion supports the natural cleansing functions of the kidneys and liver, increases tissue blood flow and lymph drainage. A perfect plant to ingest after the stagnation of the winter has been upon us and the energy of spring is what we are shifting into. It is very supportive for “waking” up our organs of digestion and elimination and beneficial in assisting in the preparation for the seasonal shift of different foods and the energetics of the summer - a perfect plant to include in the internal spring cleanse our bodies tend to desire. With the bitter taste stimulating the secretion of bile from the gallbladder, it increases digestive juices to further support greater digestion and assimilation of the entire digestive system.
Emotional Support- Dandelion could be supportive for those who may be quick to anger or become upset easily. The liver holds the emotion of anger in Chinese Medicine and imbalances of the liver could lead to lashing out as well as quick-to-temper responses. By properly supporting the liver through the ingestion of a cooling, bitter plant like dandelion, the stagnation of the liver would be impacted. This would lead to less likely chances for the emotion of anger and lashing out to be occurring.
Mental Support- Dandelion is beneficial for those that feel a sense of mental dullness or depression which generally accompany liver stagnation. By regularly ingesting dandelions and supporting the liver, our mental health could be supported if the cause of what is going on has to do with liver stagnation. We can sometimes see this happen when the winter stagnation occurs, we may feel a bit dull, slow and slightly depressed. Dandelion’s ability to help cleanse the organs of digestion and elimination could help these mental components and help wake us up after the winter slumber. Fascinating how what grows around us seasonally is exactly what we need for greatest support in ways we may not be aware of.
Spiritual Support- When working on the subtle body level (generally with flower essences), the “dandelion” person is one who often overextends themselves physically and emotionally. They generally have set too high expectations for themselves, push too hard and expend themselves beyond their natural capacities. Flower essences are an energetic aspect of working with plants, where none of the plant material is ingested, just the energies through a very simple process of extraction. Supporting our subtle bodies is an essential component to self-healing and keeping ourselves healthy. Flower essences are one way to do this.
(Much of the above information came from Sajah Popham, a favorite teacher of mine)
Simple Recipes
Classic Dandelion Root Decoction:
1 tbs fresh or dried dandelion root per cup of water
Directions:
Simmer covered for 15 minutes
Strain and drink
Can be consumed multiple times throughout the day, if you find you’re feeling cold or it’s too cooling for your body, add in some ginger to balance the energetics
Orange Chocolate Bitters (Recipe From Mountain Rose Herbs)
2 tbs dried dandelion root or 10 ounce fresh root
2 tbs roasted cacao nibs or shells
2 tbs dried orange peel or the peel of 1 orange
8-ounce jar
4-ounce dropper
Cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer
Vodka or brandy (40% or higher proof)
Organic ingredients when possible
Can also eyeball the ingredients and use your intuition to guide the amounts of each ingredient.
Folk Method Directions:
Fill a sterile 1-cup jar ⅓ of the way full with dandelion, cacao and orange peel
Fill the remainder of the jar with vodka or brandy, making sure the alcohol is 1 inch above the plant material with an inch above that left open for shaking room.
Seal with a tight-fitting lid and shake well to combine
Put the jar in a cool dark place and shake daily for 2 weeks to a month
Starin through a cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer
Store in a glass dropper bottle out of sunlight or bring it everywhere with you :)
I hope this inspires you to start getting to know local edible “weeds” a bit more. They are generally potent plant allies that many of us could benefit from. See if you can notice aspects of the plants that you can learn from through observation of how they are in the world. They have a lot to teach us; if we allow them to do so.
Many blessings on your plant journey,
Haylee
