Everything You Need To Know About Dandelions
Of course we had to start our Weed Wednesday series with the most iconic weed of them all - Taraxacum officinale, more commonly known as the beautiful and bright dandelion!
For many of us, the fields of yellow flowers mark the official transition from the dark and dreary winter to the hope and promise of a new spring, filled with life and beauty and hope. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always been drawn to fields of dandelions. The sea of yellow calls to my soul and I feel a need to lay down and feel the cool grass beneath my body, to listen to the quiet humming of bees around me as they feed on the first flowers of the season.
But it always feels like the blooms are too fast to fade to their fluffy white seed heads, leaving only the memory of yellow bliss behind.
Dandelion season is quite possibly one of my favourite times of the year, and as I have begun to delve deeper into herbalism over the last several years, I have found more and more ways to incorporate these lovely plants into our lives and diets. I’ll share a few recipes in this post, but first, lets dive into some history of this “weed.”
When did humans begin to use dandelions?
While dandelions have populated the earth for as long as 30 million years, the first written records of people using dandelions can be dated back to the 10th or 11th century, when traditional Chinese, Indian and Arabic physicians began to use its leaves and roots to treat a variety of common ailments.
Did you know?
Dandelions are actually not native to North America! European settlers brought dandelions over in the 16th century, where they have continued to flourish and thrive.
So… Besides filling our yards with pretty blooms, how exactly can these humble plants help us?
Dandelions offer so many healing properties, if there was only one plant I could harvest/forage, these would probably be the one. While I simply don’t have the space on this blog post to go over every single amazing benefit of this miraculous plant, I will briefly go over the ailments that are most commonly treated by dandelion leaf, root, or flower.
Liver Health
Perhaps one of the most notable properties of dandelions is its ability to treat a variety of liver issues and dysfunctions. Dandelions have traditionally been used to support liver health by increasing bile flow and production, which helps the liver digest and absorb fats. This prevents a build up of fats in the liver which can protect it from oxidative stress. Dandelions may also help your liver to filter out harmful chemicals from your food intake.
In studies done on lab mice, it was found that dandelion leaf extract helped the mice to recover from acetaminophen induced liver damage. While studies on humans are lacking, many can attest to the benefits that dandelions have had on their overall liver health.
Anti-inflammatory
Inflammation is our body’s natural response to infection or injury, however prolonged inflammation can be damaging to our body and as such, seeking ways to reduce inflammation is important in treating illnesses.
Dandelions contain several compounds, like sesquiterpene lactones and triterpines that have demonstrated potent antioxidant actions which can effectively combat inflammation in the body. Chicoric acid, another major component of dandelions, had the highest antioxidant scavenging activity, making it mainly responsible for these wonderful anti-inflammatory benefits.
Rich Source of Vitamins and Minerals
All parts of the dandelion plant are edible and are an excellent source of a wide range of essential nutrients, including vitamins A, C, K, E and folate, as well as iron, calcium and magnesium. The greens, harvested early in the morning while they are still sweet, make a lovely addition to a spring salad mix, and the roots, roasted in the oven or eaten raw, are a source of carbohydrate inulin which can help support healthy gut bacteria.
Digestive Support and Constipation Relief
Dandelion has long been used to relieve constipation and other digestive upset. It may also help the body to recover from other gastrointestinal issues, like dyspepsia, gastritis, and ulcerative colitis.
Skin Health
The anti-inflammatory properties of dandelion are beneficial for your skin as well. Some studies suggest that dandelion extracts can reduce skin inflammation, help calm skin irritations, increase the generation of new skin cells, and increase collagen production. These wonderful benefits make dandelion a great choice for treating burns, scrapes, bug bites and rashes.
Dandelion salve can help to heal skin from burns, bug bites, rashes, and scrapes.
Blood Sugar Control
Some studies have suggested that dandelion may be able to help regulate blood sugar levels by increasing the secretion of insulin and the ability to absorb glucose in your muscles.
Reduce Cholesterol and Lower Blood Pressure
The polyphenols found in dandelions may decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which can help to support a healthy cardiovascular system. There are also some studies that suggest that dandelions may help to lower blood pressure, but more human studies are needed to confirm this.
What parts of the dandelion plant should you use?
Depending on your anticipated results, different parts of the dandelion plant have different healing qualities. For example, if you are seeking to treat an inflammatory issue, an extract made from the leaves will deliver the most potent result. Alternatively, if you are seeking to make use of its stimulating properties, dandelion root is the best option. For a more detailed breakdown of dandelion parts and their uses, feel free to do more research. There are endless reliable resources both online and in your local library that can help guide you in your quest.
How Can I Use Dandelions?
One of my favourite ways to make use of dandelions is a simple dandelion tea. Simply pour 2 cups of boiling water over 2-3 tablespoons of dried dandelion leaves and let it brew for 10 minutes. Feel free to add honey and milk if you like! I also like to blend dandelions with other herbs to make tasty tea blends, like my Goddess Tea.
You can also use the greens for salad, or sautéed like spinach. I also love using the flowers to make cookies and dandelion soda!
If you are looking to use dandelion to treat chronic inflammation or to support liver health, you could try taking it in tincture form, which is the most potent form. I'll have some for sale in the shop soon!
Magical Properties of Dandelions
In folklore, it has been said that dandelions can be used to aid in your divination practices, for calling upon spirits to aid you in your journey, as well as helping you to manifest your wishes. Try brewing up a cup of dandelion root tea, and sip on it while you work on your divination practice. You may also try sending a message to a loved one by blowing a seed head in his or her direction while visualizing your message to them. Dandelion is said to be a masculine plant, of the planet Jupiter and the element of Air.
Are there any negative side effects of dandelions?
Dandelions are generally considered safe for humans. There is a potential for an allergic reaction, so use caution if you have allergies to any other flowers, especially in the Asteraceae family. It is also not recommended to take dandelion if you are on any other medications, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. While it is safe to take, there are no studies done on pregnant women as the nature of such studies would be considered inhumane, so it is better to avoid them unless you obtain specific consent from your healthcare practitioner.
As always, consult a healthcare practitioner before taking any herbal remedies. The information included in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice or guidance of a certified healthcare practitioner. Always do your own research.
Did you learn something about dandelions today? Feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts or any questions you might have!
Next Wednesday we will be doing a deep dive into stinging nettle, another one of my favourite plants, so make sure to hit subscribe so you don’t miss out!
Much love to all <3
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