Discover Dandelion Medicine
Improve your health and wellness by incorporating dandelions into daily life.
Dandelion is a survivor. It reaches deep into the earth, making it impervious to burrowing animals and fire. The bright yellow color of the flower corresponds to the liver, according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, and thus explains its use in treating gallstones and jaundice. Because dandelion has a juicy stem and root, the doctrine of signatures indicated that it was beneficial for increasing urine production. The roots and leaves are associated with the physical body, the yellow flowers with mental health, and the puffball seed head with emotional well-being. As the seeds fly off and return to the earth, they represent the muscular structure being calmed.
Dandelion is considered a supreme remedy for liver health. The liver is an organ that has suffered numerous assaults from chemicals in our environment. So, too, has the dandelion—yet it continues to adapt, and helps the human organism adapt, as well. Dandelion is indeed hardy. It grows through cracks in sidewalks; thrives despite a multitude of herbicides; and can even withstand 20,000 volts of electricity. Where lawns are mowed, the dandelion keeps a very short stem, but in tall grass the stems stretch to greater height to catch the rays of the sun. If the leaves or flowers are cut, more grow back within a few days. It seems fitting that a plant that has adjusted so well to the environment can help humans adapt to a polluted planet—while we do our best to correct the situation. The simple abundance of the dandelion may perhaps be a sign that we should be using lots of this gift of nature!
Did you know: Sales of fresh dandelion greens in the United States are estimated to be in the millions of dollars, with New Jersey, Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas known for growing dandelions on a commercial scale. In fact, Vineland, New Jersey, considers itself the Dandelion Capital of the World.
Whether you buy your dandelion greens or forage in fields near your home, try this simple savory dish to incorporate dandelions into your daily life.
Sweet-and-Sour Greens
Makes 2 servings.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups young dandelion leaves
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
- 3 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
- Sea salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 3 hard-boiled eggs, sliced (optional)
Directions:
1. Wash the dandelion greens well and pat dry. Place in a serving bowl.
2. Mix the honey, mustard, and vinegar in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour over the greens and toss to coat. Garnish with the sliced eggs, if desired.
Excerpted and adapted from Dandelion Medicine © Brigitte Mars.
Discover the many healing and culinary uses of the familiar wild plant, the dandelion, with this colorful, accessible guide from a leading medical herbalist.
Dandelion Medicine, 2nd Edition is a colorful dive into the many creative uses of dandelions for food and medicine. From dandelion root “coffee” to dandelion flower cookies, there are dozens of delicious ways to use the plant in food, and all parts of the dandelion are medicinal in a variety of ways. Dandelion is a flower that almost everyone knows from a young age, so there’s little danger of harvesting the wrong plant—making it ideal for the novice forager. Author Brigitte Mars has been an herbalist for more than 50 years, and has developed an extensive knowledge of and love for the plant over that time. In addition to providing ideas for ways to use the plant, she also shares some of the history and lore surrounding the dandelion, creating a book that is both a practical guide and a fascinating read.
