Properties
- Diuretic
- hepatic (strengthens liver function)
- bitter
- digestive
- anti-spasmodic
- laxative
- tonic
Medicinal Uses
- Milk from the dandelion will dissolve warts (apply 2-3 times a day for 2-3 months)
- Milk can also fade aging spots (liver spots)
- #1 digestive aid (use in capsule form before meals)
- Bitter tonic good for liver, kidneys, spleen and pancreas
- Blood purifier (root has strongest action)
- Liver stimulant and decongestant
- Bladder and kidney problems
- Breaks down cholesterol and fat
- Gall and kidney stone prevention and aid (root)
- Bladder infection, won’t kill bacteria but helps wash microbes out a urinary tract
- Use for high blood pressure and heart disease
- Increase milk supply in nursing mothers
- Bloating and discomfort of PMS
- Jaundice
- Hepatitis
- Chronic skin problems (by cleansing the liver and kidneys)
- High in trace minerals, iron, calcium, potassium and other nutrients including electrolytes
*roots have the strongest medicinal properties
Methods of Use
- In the kitchen – this is one herb that must be taken internally to utilize it’s properties
- Decoction of roots or infusion of flowers and leaves
- Powdered sprinkles and in capsules
- Tincture
- Vinegar
- Milk from snapping off a blossom or breaking the stem in half
In the Kitchen
Wildcrafting
Check out this post from Learning and Yearning on how to harvest the dandelion and some recipes for cooking with it.