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| (Taraxacum
officinale) |
| Common names: Blowball,
Cankerwort, Lion's Tooth, Priest's Crown, Piss-a-Bed, Priest's Crown,
Puffball, Swine Snout, White Endive, Wild Endive. |
| 
Dandelion |
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| ©
2003 Karen Shelton |
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| Parts
Used: The entire plant. |
Methods
Used: Water extraction. |
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| Spiritual
Uses: None
identified to date. |
Physical
Uses: This herb has been used in Folk Medicine since prehistoric
times. Native Americans as well as many other peoples around the
world used it as both food and medicine.
Used in teas, it is considered
effective in relieving indigestion, constipation, and fever.
The root is infused along
with celery seeds to relieve the stiff joints of chronic rheumatism.
Used by the ancients as a diuretic when mixed with equal parts of
Broom (Cytisus scoparius) flowers.
The fresh root is ground
and made into a tea to support liver and gall bladder function.
An appetite stimulant
and a tonic for the skin. Use in baths and facial steams. A natural
diuretic that may relieve edema.
The roasted root is used
as a healthful substitute for coffee.
Dandelion wine is a rural
standard while the nutritious young leaves have long been used as
a favorite spring salad green.
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Preparation:
ROOT TEA:
- Boil 1 cup
of water.
- Add 2 teaspoons
of chopped, dried, bruised root. Stir and cover.
- Allow to
steep for ½ hour.
- Strain out
the root and discard. Allow to cool.
- Dosage: 1
cup 3 times a day.
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