Friday 16 July 2010

Dandelions - magickal and herbal uses


Dandelion (taraxacum officinale)

Dandelion is a wonderful food as well as a beneficial medicine. It supports overall health by gently working to improve the functioning of the liver, gallbladder and urinary and digestive systems. It is excellent for cleansing the skin.

An old companion of man, it has accumulated many names. Blowball and telltime refer to the seeds, priest's crown to the stem after the seeds have flown, and swine's snout to the unopened flower. And dandelion itself? The 'teeth of the lion' (dent de lion) explanation, from the appearance of the saw edged leaves or perhaps the tiny florets, is found in many languages. But there is also a case made for an older link to the sun.

In many cultures the lion has been the animal symbol of the sun since antiquity, as the astrological sign Leo. Dandelions are yellow discs, like the sun and open and close along with it. So, perhaps the old name might mean 'rays of the sun' rather than teeth of the lion?

Use dandelion for:

It is high in minerals, especially potassium, and vitamins A, B, C and D. The young leaves boiled up into a tea or eaten fresh in salads are detoxifiers, clearing blood and lymph by increasing elimination through the kidneys and bowels. This in turn benefits overall health.

If dandelion says 'think spring' it also suggests 'think liver'. It has a reputation as a safe liver herb, especially where there are toxins and heat in the blood. The plant's chemicals cause the gallbladder to contract, releasing bile, stimulating the liver to produce more.

Liver related conditiosn aided by the dandelion include jaundice and hepatits, gallstones and urinary tract infection, painful menopause, PMT and menstruation, improvements are achievable in the pancrease, spleen, skin and eyesight.

It is the bitterness in dandelion leaves that makes them so good for your digestion. The bitter taste stimulates secretion of the digestive fluids, including stomach acid, bile and pancreative juices. Dandelion promotes the appetite, and is recommended for those who have been ill or have lost their enthusiasm for food in advanced age.

Roasted dandelion root is a well known and caffeine free coffee substitute. The root can also be eaten as a vegetable.

The flowers don't look very edible, but they are good eaten straight of the plant, mild and slightly sweet. Eating a few dandelion flowers often relieves a headache too.

The flowers also yield a refreshing dandelion beer and a face wash.

The sap or latex of the stems was once used in patent medicines, and was said to remove freckles and age spots corns and warts, to help hair grow and treat bee stings and blisters.

Dandelion is renowned for its diuretic properties, that is, increasing the flow of urine. What is less familiar is how well it strengthens the urinary system. It is effective in treating bed wetting in children and incontinence in older people. All parts of the plant have this effect, especially the leaves.

With most diuretic drugs potassium is lost from the body and has to be supplemented, but dandelion is naturally high in potassium. It can safely be used long term without causing imbalance. The leaves boiled with vegetable peelings make a potassium rich broth.

Dandelion's diuretic effect makes it a good herb for treating swollen ankles for fluid retention and high blood pressure. It can also be used to alleviate shortness of breath in the elderly.

As a medicine the whole plant is invaluable for liver and gall bladder problems, and for skin complaints including eczema and acne. Its action helps reduce high blood pressure, high cholesterol and the pain of arteriosclerosis and joints, digestive problems, chronic illness, viral infections and heart and lung irregularities.

Dandelion can form part of a natural cancer treatment, and taken regularly as a food and medicine can help prevent some cancers, especially breast cancer and other chronic illnesses by keeping the body clean, toned and healthy.

Uses:

Dandelion Sap for
Warts
Calluses
Corns
Rough skin

Dandelion salad for
Sluggish liver
Constipation
Urinary problems
Fluid retention

Dandelion tincture for
Skin problems
Sluggish liver
Constipation
Urinary problems
Fluid retention
Arthritis
Gout
Hangovers
Chronic illness

Dandelion flower infused oil for
Muscle tension
Muscle aches
Stiff necks
Arthritis

Magickal Uses

Gender: Masculine
Planet: Jupiter
Element: Air
Deity: Hecate
Power: Divination, wishes, calling spirits

Drink dandelion tea or coffee to promote psychic powers. Leave a cup of this hot infusion by the bed to call spirits.

Dandelion Coffee:

Dig up the roots, trim off the leaves and stems and any small rootlets. Wash off the earth and scrub the roots well, leave them in a warm place to drain and dry. Cut any larger roots in half and into short lengths, spread the pieces on a shallow roasting tin and bake in a hot oven (400F, 200C, Gas 6) for 30 minutes until the roots are brown and dry all through. Allow to cool then grind. Spread the grounds on the roasting tin and roast them for 7 minutes in a moderate oven (350F, 180C, Gas 4). Put 5-6 tablespoons grounds in a warm jub, pour on 500ml/2 cups/1 pint boiling water, stir and stand for 30 minutes. Strain into a pan and re-heat.

Dandelion Fizz

Gather the dandelion flowers in the sun, when they are fully open. The drink is very mildly alcoholic, sweet and quenching.

1 litre/5 cups prepared dandelion flowers
1 1/2 litres/4 1/2 US quarts water
1 kilo/4 cups sugar
2 lemons

Trim the stalks from the flowers, but leave the green sepals on and discard any overblown flowers or unopened buds. The prepared dandelions should fill a 1 litre/5 cups measure when gently pressed down.

Wash the flowers in a colander and tip them into an earthenware, enamel or plastic container preferably with a well fitting lid. Pour the boiling water on to the dandelions, cover the vessel with a lid, board or weighted plate and leave to stand for 12 hours.

Strain the liquid through a double thickness of muslin into a large saucepan. Add the sugar and the pared rind and juice of the lemons. Heat gently and stir until the sugar has dissolved, but do not allow to boil. Strain the liquid into jugs and leave to cool. Pour into clean, dry bottles with strong screw caps. Store in a cool, dark place. The brew is ready to rink in three or four weeks.



Sources:
Cunninghams Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs
Edible Wild Plants and Herbs
Hedgerow Medicine

3 comments:

  1. And they are pretty too :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. They can also be used in working pertaining to courage, tenacity and perseverance.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for posting your wonderful information. I have been using your blog to write papers in Herbology school. Love it and you!

    ReplyDelete