Dandelions - hear them roar!

Credit: Iguana mouth. Dandelion in all it's glory!

Dandelions - translated from the French - 'dent de lion' (lion's tooth) refers to its jagged  leaves, and many people also liken the distinctive golden fluffy flowerheads to that of a lion's mane.

These little lions have have been popping up everywhere at work,  and contrast beautifully against the green grassy fields. They are obviously enjoying the mix of sunshine and April showers we have had as they seem particularly abundant and luscious.
I have already picked some big flowerheads and the freshest top leaves to make a herbal vinegar, and plan to make more medicinal treats from all parts of these plant to stock up my own medicine cabinet.

That's right - ALL parts of this herb can be used - Eat the leaves mixed into salads (pick the smaller top leaves as they get too bitter when too big), make syrup from the flowers, make coffee substitute from the dried and roasted roots, and make a wish by blowing on the seed head.
Dandelions are also one of the first flowers of the year to come up, and provide much needed pollen for the bees once they begin to wake from their winter slumber.

Dandelion - Benefits, uses, medicinal overview

Botanical name: Taraxacum officinale
Family: Asteraceae
Parts used: Leaf, root, flowers

Medicinal actions: Bitter tonic, choleretic (stimulates the production of bile by the liver), diuretic (Causing increased urine output), mild laxative, anti-rheumatic (reduces inflammation in joints).

Medicinal uses:

• Cystitis, and urinary tract infections - the leaf is best, because it has diuretic actions, it helps 'flush' out the bacteria causing infection. Because it contains high amounts of potassium, electrolytes remain in balance.
• Loss of appetite, flatulence, bloating - Because it is bitter, it stimulates the liver to produce bile, a neccesary digestive aid that helps break down fats. By increasing bile, it in turn helps to increase appetite, and improves overal digestion once eaten.
• Liver tonic - Helps to restore function, and has been shown to increase enzyme levels in detoxification pathways.  The root in particular stimulates bile flow.
• Anti-inflammatory & antioxidant - All parts of the plant have shown effects in reducing oxidation, and free radical activity in the body. It has also shown to inhibit COX-2 expression (an enzyme produced that promotes inflammation & pain).
• Oedema - The diuretic effects reduces water accumulation in tissues.
• Diabetes - Helps to manage insulin/glucose balance
• Nutritional tonic - Great for convalescing after an illness. Plus the ogliofructuns and inulin contained in the root make it a pre/probiotic.

Nutritional profile: Vitamins A,B,C & D, along with iron & potassium are in both leaf and root. Carotenoids (anti-oxidant) are in the leaf and flower; inulin (a prebiotic) is in the root (more so in autumn when energy is redirected back to them).

Folklore: There is a whole range of folklore with this all-rounder, overall it is viewed as a positive plant, although it is also thought to make you wet the bed if picked (not the best advert for foraging!)

• Dandelions are thought to bring good luck - they would be woven into a bride's bouquet to ensure a good marriage, are a good omen if they appear in dreams, and are considered to be symbols of hope.
• Dandelions can be seen a natural barometers - they close up as soon as there is any hint of moisture in the air; they only open fully when there is full and constant sunshine.
• They are also known as 'shepherd's clocks' as they tend to open an hour after sunrise, and closing at dusk.
• It is thought to increase psychic abilities when drunk as tea, and leaving a decoction of the roots left by the bedside is thought to bring spirits overnight!
• The flowers would be placed under a newborn's chin to determine if it would become wealthy - if the yellow reflected, it would be!

Roar! Not so weedy after all. Resist the urge to dig them all up in your garden (unless harvesting the roots which I advise to wait until autumn for - that is when the energy of the plant gets redirected back into them, so they are at their best.)