Taraxacum officinale
Family: Asteraceae (was Compositae - daisy, echinacea, marigold)
Subfamily: Cichorioideae (Chicory/Dandelion)
Parts Used: Whole plant *roots have the strongest medicinal properties
For most people dandelions are simply a noxious weed that they work hard to eradicate each spring. For me it is another healing herb the Lord has blessed us with. Last year we focused an entire month on the dandelion for our nature study and have come to love and adore this despised little plant (although we still don't want it taking over lawn:)) One of my favorite uses for dandelion is to dissolve warts. I tried many natural remedies for getting rid of warts, including very strong essential oils. What finally worked was applying the milk from snapping off a dandelion head, directly on the wart every day for several weeks. It gradually disappeared!
Family: Asteraceae (was Compositae - daisy, echinacea, marigold)
Subfamily: Cichorioideae (Chicory/Dandelion)
Parts Used: Whole plant *roots have the strongest medicinal properties
For most people dandelions are simply a noxious weed that they work hard to eradicate each spring. For me it is another healing herb the Lord has blessed us with. Last year we focused an entire month on the dandelion for our nature study and have come to love and adore this despised little plant (although we still don't want it taking over lawn:)) One of my favorite uses for dandelion is to dissolve warts. I tried many natural remedies for getting rid of warts, including very strong essential oils. What finally worked was applying the milk from snapping off a dandelion head, directly on the wart every day for several weeks. It gradually disappeared!
Properties
- Alterative
- Antibacterial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic
- Aperient (mild laxative)
- Cholagogue (stimulates bile flow)
- Diuretic (increases urine flow)
- Galactagogue (increases milk flow)
- Hepatic (strengthens liver function)
- Bitter
- Digestive
- Tonic
- Nutritive: Vitamins A, B, C, D, potassium, iron, calcium, carotenoids, sesquiterpenes, inulin, nutritive salts, rich in trace minerals.
Uses
- Milk from the "sap" will dissolve warts when used consistently (apply 2-3 times a day for 2-3 months)
- Milk can also fade aging spots (liver spots).
- Digestive aid, one of the best.
- Bitter tonic, support for liver, kidneys, spleen and pancreas.
- Blood purifier (root has strongest action).
- Liver stimulant and decongestant (root has the strongest action).
- Bladder and kidney problems (leaf will have the strongest action).
- Breaks down cholesterol and fat.
- Can decrease blood sugar levels and cravings for sugar.
- Gall and kidney stone prevention and aid (leaf and root).
- Bladder infection, won’t kill bacteria but helps wash microbes out of the urinary tract.
- High blood pressure and heart disease.
- Increase milk supply in nursing mothers.
- Bloating and discomfort of PMS.
- Liver conditions such as jaundice and hepatitis.
- Chronic skin problems (by cleansing the liver and kidneys).
- Brain, eye, and heart support (flower).
- Promotes strong bone and joint health.
- High in trace minerals, iron, calcium, potassium and other nutrients including electrolytes. Great herb for anemia and other blood conditions.
Methods of Use
- Food: Use leaves and blossoms in cooking. Roots can be roasted and brewed.
- Tea: Decoction of roots or infusion of flowers and leaves.
- Powder, Sprinkle, Capsules
- Tincture, Liniment
- Vinegar
- Honey, Syrup
- Poultice
- Herbal Oil
- Salve, Ointment, Balm
- Bath, Steam
- Milk from snapping off a blossom, breaking the stem in half, cut roots.
- Dandy Blend (a yummy instant beverage with extracts of dandelion, chicory, barley and rye)
In the Kitchen
Mix with other greens in salad, steam with olive oil and lemon, mix in pesto and smoothies, make an herbal sprinkle or infuse vinegar with the leaf, flower and root. The root can be chopped, roasted and used as a brewed beverage or thrown into soups and stir fries. Use the root as you would a root vegetable.
*Adding olive to to fresh steamed dandelion greens helps the body absorb the minerals more fully. Lemon juice makes the iron more available to the body.
*Adding olive to to fresh steamed dandelion greens helps the body absorb the minerals more fully. Lemon juice makes the iron more available to the body.
Wildcrafting/Harvesting
Don’t spray the lawn with weed killer and there is your fresh supply, ready to go.
- Leaves are best in early spring when they are young but they can be harvested anytime.
- Pick flowers as they bloom.
- Roots are harvested in mid summer for the highest medicinal properties, just dig them up, wash them, chop and use or dry for future use. For better flavor roast them after drying. Many people will use roasted root as a coffee substitute, generally mixed with chicory root.
Caution
Some people are allergic to dandelion so patch test before using.
Recipes and Other Resources
 Citrus Dandelion Soda (ferment) |  Liver Cleanse Formula |  Blood Building Herbal Blend |  Milk Flow Formula |  Herbal Iron |
Edible Wild Food: Dandelion
Herbal Legacy: Dandelion
Dandelion recipe roundup from Little Owl Crunchy Mama
Things to Do with Dandelions from The Nerdy Farm Wife
Dandelions from Learning and Yearning
Dandelion Greens by Dr. Axe
Dandelion Root by Dr. Axe
Dandelion Tea by Dr. Axe
Herbal Legacy: Dandelion
Dandelion recipe roundup from Little Owl Crunchy Mama
Things to Do with Dandelions from The Nerdy Farm Wife
Dandelions from Learning and Yearning
Dandelion Greens by Dr. Axe
Dandelion Root by Dr. Axe
Dandelion Tea by Dr. Axe
Purchase pre-cut and dried leaves and roots
If you would prefer to purchase this herb instead of harvesting yourself Dr. Christopher's Herb Shop, Mountain Rose Herb or Bulk Herb Store have good quality herbs.
Nature Study
This is a precious poem from one of our most beloved books called Flower Fairies by Cecily Mary Barker. She has the sweetest artwork of children like fairies that are dressed to match their special plant. We use this book all the time for nature study and love including the poems and artwork in our nature journals as we study different plants and flowers.
The Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock has some great information about dandelions told in a "living" context and not a textbook context. We really enjoyed learning about the dandelion from this book. You can find it in various formats for free online here, or you can purchase the book from Amazon, here. I highly recommend this book for any nature loving family.
