Remember when you were a child, and you would pick those white puffy weeds making a wish and trying to blow all the little puffs away for your wish to come true? Ah yes, the simple times. Well, I am sure you are already aware, but those little puff balls are dandelions. Dandelion magical properties are not the only great thing about this plant. It has many health benefits as well, which we will cover and more in this post.
History
Dandelions (Taraxacum Officinale) are believed to have originated from Eurasia where it spread all throughout the northern temperate climates of the region. It was eventually taken overseas where it found its way to America.
The name dandelion came from the French, “dent de lion” meaning lion’s tooth, referring to the jagged leaves on this plant.
The dandelion can be dated back thousands of years. However, it has been speculated that the dandelion was around roughly 30 million years ago.
The Chinese are believed to have used dandelion in their medicines for 1000, maybe over 2000 years ago.
During the tenth and eleventh centuries, Arabian doctors spoke of this plant and its medicinal uses. They also saw it resemble another type of plant, endive. Endive is a vegetable with pale yellow leaves that can also have a slightly bitter taste like the dandelion.
It is rumored that the Welsh had been using dandelion in their medicines during the thirteenth century.
About the Dandelion
The dandelion is a self-pollinating perennial with jagged leaves, yellow flower heads that turn to cute little white puff balls when it goes to seed. Make a wish! It is a part of the same family as chamomile and packed full of vitamin A, K, C and Iron.
This weed may seem like a pain to some, but for others, it’s kind of a big deal. For beekeepers especially! Dandelions hold a considerable amount of pollen and nectar. When the dandelions start popping up, that means good-bye winter and hello spring! It also means that when the bees are ready to leave the hive and begin foraging for pollen, they will have somewhere to start. Being that the dandelion can also handle cooler temps as well, they are great for the bees last minute foraging before winter creeps in.
Did you know that dandelions can predict the weather? When the weather is warm and sunny, the flower of the dandelion is open, showing off its beautiful golden yellow flower head. However, if rain begins to move in, the dandelion will start to close. It will also close up once the temperature begins to cool down in the evening, but once that sun comes up, you can bet to see those bright yellow flower heads again.
Fun Names!
One thing really love about this plant is the fun nicknames it has.
- Priest’s Crown
- Swine Snout
- Lion’s Teeth
- Blowball
- Wild Endive
- Fairy Clocks
- Irish Daisy
- Fortune Teller
- Heart Fever Grass
- Burning Fire
- Time Teller
- Cankerwort
- Piss-a-bed
- White Endive
- Puffball
The dandelion got the name swine snout because when the flower part of the plant closes into a budding like state it looks like a pig’s snout.
Priest’s Crown was a nickname given because when all of the seed has been blown off of the plant head, all that remains is a round white disc. This white disc resembles the head piece priests would wear in the Middle Ages.
How Dandelion is Used
Dandelions have been used throughout the centuries in a variety of ways. The whole plant is edible, and each part can be used.
Leaves
Harvesting the leaves make for a great salad green, as long as they are harvested before maturity. Mature leaves have more of a bitter taste. Blanch the greens for more flavor and use them in dishes in place of spinach.
Dried dandelion leaves are used as an ingredient to make digestive and diet drinks as well as herb beers. Herbal beers are a fermented drink that is less intoxicating than regular beer and is also cheaper to make.
Flowers
The bright yellow flower heads can be used to make dandelion wine. The flowers steep in boiling water for a few days before being strained, the liquid would then be boiled for 30 minutes. Add in other ingredients such as ginger, sugar, lemon and orange rinds and some yeast and let the mixture ferment for a couple of days. The liquid is then placed inside of a cask (wine barrel) to sit for a couple of months. It is then bottled and ready for consumption. This wine is said to have quite the reputation for being great for the blood.
Roots
The roots of the dandelion plant hold the highest value. This is where a lot of the medicinal properties lie. When growing dandelions the soil needs to be a high priority to give you the most out of this plant. Roots that come from good soil tend to come out thicker. Thicker roots are important because once the root is dried, it shrinks down a lot. My research said about 76% in size. That doesn’t leave you much to work with. So, bigger is better when it comes to the dandelion’s roots.
Harvesting the root in October is best because of the amount of Inulin stored in the roots. Inulin is a complex sugar present in roots of various plants used medically to test kidney function. If harvested in the Spring the roots medical properties are not carrying as much inulin as it did back in the Fall.
When drying out your dandelion roots be mindful of maggot infestations. Use soon rather than later and do not keep beyond one season. It should take around two weeks to dry completely. You will know when they are ready, when they have shrunk significantly, and you should be able to snap the root with ease.
Dandelion Coffee is made with the roots of this plant. After drying out the roots, roast them, grind them and you are good to go! This natural drink doesn’t have the same effects as regular coffee. It doesn’t damage your digestive organs or your nerves. No jitters! It still provides that stimulant throughout your body, but it still allows your kidneys and liver to function normally.
Dandelion Health Properties
As I have mentioned earlier, dandelions have many medicinal benefits and can help with many ailments. Be aware that there are some flowers that may look like dandelions but are not. Make sure you are 110% sure what you are harvesting before harvesting it. If more than one flower is coming out of the stem or if it has tiny hairs anywhere on it, IT IS NOT A DANDELION!
Do not consume any part of this plant without consulting your doctor first. You never know if your body could react negatively.
Properties
- Diuretic
- Kidney/ liver disorders
- General stimulant (good for urinary organs)
- Antioxidants
- Help with kidney stones
- Antiviral
- Mild laxative
- Stomach troubles
- Promotes digestion
- Antibacterial
- Increase appetite
- Cleanse liver
- May help with hepatitis
- Inflammation
- Autointoxication
- Adult on-set diabetes
- Water retention
- PMS (use the leaves)
- Eczema
- Gout
- Amenia (use the leaves)
- Blood Disorders
- Psoriasis
Different parts of the plant aids in some way. Some ways you can take dandelion is through tonics, teas, or tinctures.
Dandelion Magical Properties
The list of dandelion magical properties is just as extensive as the health properties. This just goes to show how this weed can be so beneficial to us. Being able to use it to benefit us not only physically but also mentally and spiritually makes you rethink the importance behind this overlooked plant. Here is a list of the magical properties:
- Ancestral Work
- Animal Protection
- Banishment
- Calling Spirits
- Cleansing Rituals
- Confidence
- Courage
- Creativity
- Divination
- Dreams
- Happiness
- Healing
- Intention Setting
- Inspiration
- Manifesting
- Personal Growth
- Psychic Abilities
- Sun Magic
- Transformation
- Ward off negative energies
- Wishes
Correspondences
Names: Priest’s Crown, Swine Snout, Lion’s Teeth, Blowball, Wild Endive, Fairy Clocks, Irish Daisy, Fortune Teller, Heart Fever Grass, Burning Fire, Time Teller, Cankerwort, Piss-a-bed, White Endive, Puffball
Planet: Jupiter
Element: Air
Gender: Masculine
Deities: Aphrodite, Belenos, Brigid, Hecate, other Sun Deities
Stones: Citrine, Sun Stone, Tiger’s Eye
Symbolism: Youthful, Transformation, Wish Fulfillment, Cheerfulness, Resilience