Dandelion

Description

Dandelion is the master weed. Every part is medicine: Root for liver, Leaves for kidneys (diuretic), Flowers for heart. It is a survivor and cleanses the body of toxins.

Known Formulations

• 🔒 Digestive Bitters (Tincture)
• 🔒 Dandelion Liver Bitters (Tincture)
• 🔒 Dandelion Flower Jelly (Culinary)
• 🔒 Dandelion Sore Muscle Salve (Salve)
• 🔒 Poor Man's Capers (Dandelion Buds) (Culinary)

Medicinal Uses

Used for: Gut/Digestion.

The leaf is a potent potassium-sparing diuretic (for water retention). The root is a liver tonic and mild laxative, stimulating bile flow and digestion.

Preparation

Decoction:
Simmer 1 tbsp dried root in 1 cup water 20 mins. Liver tonic.

Infusion:
Steep dried leaves 15 mins. Diuretic.

Tincture:
Fresh root/leaf 1:2 in 40% alcohol. Macerate 4 weeks. Dose: 5ml.

Astrological Associations

Ruled by Jupiter.

Ritual:
Sending Messages: Focus on a message you wish to send to a distant loved one. Blow the seeds off the dandelion head in their direction. The spirit of the air carries the thought.

Folklore & Myth

The humble Dandelion is a clock for the country child. Blowing the white seed head would tell the time (one o'clock for one breath, etc.) or how many years until one gets married. It also acted as a messenger; if you focused on a loved one and blew the seeds in their direction, the wind would carry your thoughts to them.