Guest guest Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 DANDELION Taraxacum officinale JoAnn Guest Oct 03, 2004 21:26 PDT Email in- DANDELION http://www.herbsfirst.com/NewsLetters/0703dandelion.html Taraxacum officinale or Leontodon taraxacum Compositae Dandelion is one of those herbs that Dr. Christopher taught we should honor rather than despise. Growing almost everywhere man lives, it supplies good food and medicine abundantly. We should be glad for its presence in our lawns, rather than diligently pulling it out. One herbalist remembers sadly the time that her well-meaning neighbors dug all the Dandelions out of her lawn as a special surprise. " Not only was my meadow gone, " she recalls, " but also my spring spinach, summer salad bar, and reserve medicine chest. Truly it was a loss. " (Herbalist:May, 1978:. We recall the winter and spring when illness and other difficulties made it impossible to purchase regular groceries to supplement our food-storage diet of wheat, beans, bottled fruit, etc. We lived in the country among the orchards, and when early spring came on, we couldn't help noticing the lush growths of new Dandelions. We gathered handfuls and made a soup of them with onions, herbs, cooked grains, etc. Because we ate them very young--although the new growth in the untrampelled places was quite luxurious--the Dandelions were sweet and delicious. Our children still enjoy Dandelion Soup! A classic story about the use of Dandelion is often repeated. Around the turn of the century, A Dr. Sparks wrote, " Fifteen years ago I was afflicted with the liver complaint. I used all my skill trying to cure it but failed. I then tried two physicians, Doctors Wilson and Jordan, but without success. An old nurse told me that Dandelion was an effective folk remedy for this disorder, so I decided to try it. Using Dandelion promptly restored me to health. It then became my favorite prescription for liver complaint, either by the simple extract of the herb or by taking a teacupful of a strong decoction of it twice a day. In almost every instance I have succeeded in restoring those who have used this plant. " (Lucas:Herbal:35). LION'S TOOTH Dandelion is one of the most ancient and the most frequently-used herbs in history. Some say that the shape of the root is tooth-like. One report suggests that a surgeon, Wilhelm, was so impressed with the power of the plant that he compared it to a lion (Grieve:250). The name of the genus, Taraxacum, is derived from the Greek taraxos (disorder) and akos (pain), referring to the medical effects of the plant (Grieve:250). Some say that certain American Indian tribes termed it " strong root " for its medicinal effect (Harris:Eat the Weeds:123). Other tribes called it " blowball, " and children in England sometimes called it " clocks, " using the number of puffs necessary to disperse to the seeds to discern what time it was. Dandelions have been used since ancient times; as Millspaugh states, " it is one of those drugs, overrated, derogated, extirpated, and reinstated time and time again by writers upon pharmacology, from Theophrastus...to the present day " (Millspaugh:371). The first mention of the plants as a medicine is the works of the Arabian physicians of the tenth and eleventh centuries, who considered it a sort of the wild endive (Grieve:252). There is allusion to it in the Welsh herbals of the thirteenth century. The plant was also used in the kitchen early times. John Evelyn, in his Acetaria, said, " With this homely salley (salad), Hecate entertained Theseus. " Evelyn was evidently a great salad-fancier in the days when they were an important source of nutrients, when fresh vegetables were not so easily available. Gerard described the plant, and Culpeper did likewise, commenting that " This herb helps one to see farther without a pair of spectacles. This is known by foreign physicians who are not so selfish as ours, but more communicative of the virtues of plants to people " (Culpeper:56). He considered the plant excellent for removing obstructions from the liver, gall bladder, and spleen, as well as opening the passages of the urinary tact and cleansing ulcers therein. He recommended it for wasting diseases in illness and for relieving restlessness during fevers. He especially thought the tea could be drunk during times of the pestilence and used as a wash for sores (Ibid). Old English herbalist Parkinson agreed with Culpeper's recommendations, adding that the herb was good for bedwetting in children and for retention of urine or scanty urine in elderly people (Herbalist Almanac:32). Early American herbalist Lyle commented that Dandelion " is a mild, slow, relaxing, and stimulating tonic hepatic, influencing slowly, the liver, alvine canal, and kidneys. " He continued giving a number of other medicinal uses, which agree with the ones which we present below (Ibid:154). The American Indians greatly valued this herb. An old record states, " They scour the country for many day's journey, in search of sufficient to appease their appetites. So great is the love for the plant, that the quantity consumed by a single Indian exceeds belief " (Ibid). The Mohicans steeped the leaves for a physic, which the Pillager Ojibwas made a tea of the roots for heartburn. The Potawatomis used the roots for a bitter tonic. The Meskwakis thought the root of a strong medicine and took it for pains in the chest when other remedies failed (Vogel:299) .. The Papagos ate the vitamin-filled young leaves both raw and cooked, along with other parts of the plant (Niethammer:109). Among the Tewas a fracture was treated with fresh Dandelion leaves, which were ground and made into a paste with water, to be spread on the injury, and then whole leaves were bound on top of this with cloths (Ibid:110). At Santa Clara, the leaves were ground and mixed with dough to be applied to bad bruises. Indians used the tea from the boiled blossoms as a heart tonic (Ibid:110-111). There is a tradition that Dandelions never grow where there are no human inhabitants. The early pioneers supposedly found no trace of them in America. After a few years up sprang a gay head, and soon there were millions of them (Herbalist Almanac:168). Another legend claims that to dream of Dandelions portends ill fortune. It is said to be a sure sign of rain when the down blows off the Dandelion when there is no wind, and to blow the seeds off the Dandelion is to send one's thoughts to a loved one (Rose:Herbs:56). In Bible times, Dandelion is thought to have surely been one of the bitter herbs consumed at Passover time. SUPERIOR ALTERATIVE There are so many uses claimed for the plant that it takes place among the herbal cure-alls. Its most frequent use, however, is an herb to heal the liver. In Europe, many scientific experiments have been undertaken which prove the traditional belief that the herb truly does cure hepatic ailments (Lucas:Herbal:33). The herb acts in two ways for these conditions: it promotes the formation of bile and removes excess water from the body in edematous conditions resulting from liver congestion (Lust:171). It is thought to be especially useful in cases of enlargement of the liver and for jaundice, even in little children. Dr. Swinburne Clymer wrote: " Dandelion has a beneficial influence upon the biliary organs, removing torpor and engorgement of the liver as well as of the spleen...only the green herb, whether for tincture or infusion should be used.... " (Lucas:Common:12). Grieve suggests that the herb is particularly useful in hepatic conditions of persons long resident in warm climates, taken in a broth with some leaves of sorrel and the yolk of an egg, daily for several months (Grieve:254). Any herb which acts beneficially upon the liver has good effect on the rest of the system. Of particular interest is its action upon the digestion and eliminative systems. Kloss claimed that Dandelion is extremely high in nutritive salts which purify the blood and destroy the acids in the blood. He said that " anemia is caused by the deficiency of nutritive salts in the blood and really has nothing to do with the quantity of good blood. Dandelion contains these nutritive salts " (Kloss:237). It is thought to tremendously benefit the stomach and intestines. Lukewarm Dandelion tea, claims Lust, is recommended for dyspepsia with constipation, fever,insomnia and hypochondria (Lust:171). It is given in chronic constipation and catarrhal gastritis, of particular use in auto-intoxication which result in skin eruptions. In ther words, many people who suffer from acne or other skin eruptions due to toxins in the system can benefit from taking a daily cup of tea. Furthermore, it promotes good absorption of nutrients and so is recommended for chronic indigestion. Where the stomach is irritated, it can be given in moderate does several times a day; it increases the natural appetite and promotes good digestion. Dandelion has been often thought to have good effect upon the functions of the pancreas. Tierra considers the root a specific for hypoglycemia, a cup of tea taken two or three times a day in connection with proper diet. He also uses it in the treatment of diabetes which has been acquired in later life, also accompanied with a good diet (Tierra:122). He considers it a good remedy to help lower blood pressure as well. Although the herb has been proven clinically to stimulate bile flow when administrated orally, there has been no clinical proof that it acts as a diuretic. However, many herbalists claim that is does act to increase both the water and the waste products in the urine. It is furthermore, claimed to dissolve urinary stones and gravel, up to an ounce of the chopped root boiled, the decoction taken for at least ten days (Moore:70). Dr. Clymer suggested that a combination of Dandelion, corn silk and golden seal would be extremely effective in urinary disorders. There are several miscellaneous uses of Dandelion which we can mention here. If a person gets hives or nettle rash, he can mix equal parts of stinging nettle, yarrow, and dandelion root, adding one-fourth part golden seal. This can be made into a decoction, to be taken internally as well as applied externally every four hours (Lucas:Common:13). When skin diseases are caused by internal toxicity, one can combine equal parts of sarsaparilla root, yellow dock root, blue flag root, and Dandelion root, to be decocted and taken three times daily (Ibid:14). Gypsies in England apply the milky juice on the whole plant to warts or corns. Applied two or three days in a row, this is said to remove the growths without the application of unpleasantly strong medicines. The Gypsies also recommended, to clear yellow skin and brighten the eyes, to fast for three mornings, taking only Dandelion tea in the mornings. Continue fasting for four more mornings without drinking the tea, and then three more with drinking the tea (Rose:Herbs:56). By far the most common use of Dandelion outside of medicine is dietary. " Tufts of this plant are eagerly gathered by the poor, in early spring, and cooked, furnishing thus an excellent and palliative pot-herb; they used in lieu of, endive, as a salad " (Millspaugh:371). Of course, not only the poor relish these greens; although in the United States they are not much eaten, in Europe they are considered a delicacy and special varieties are cultivated for selling as salad. Buchman mixes her salad thus: she tosses the very young leaves with toasted organic soy bits, lemon, olive oil, a touch of nutmeg and several hard-boiled organic eggs; this makes, she says, a delicious and healthful spring lunch (Buchman:49). Grieve suggests that the young leaves make delicious sandwiches, the tender leaves being torn rather than cut, and laid between slices of organic bread and butter and sprinkled with salt, with lemon juice and pepper added to vary the flavor (Grieve:251). The young leaves can be prepared as spinach is, served with butter and salt and perhaps vinegar; older leaves are sometimes cooked in several changes of water, or perhaps mixed with spinach or other mild culinary greens to cut the bitterness. They should by cooked first before adding the spinach, as the Dandelion takes longer to cook. As mentioned above, the young, sweet leaves make an excellent soup; prepare it as you would a spinach soup. For culinary use, the Dandelion leaves are sometimes blanched. This reduces their nutritive value, but may make them more palatable for some people. To do this, remove several Dandelions roots from the garden and pot them in regular potting soil. Place these in the basement, wateringjust enough to keep them damp. These roots will produce light-colored, less bitter leaves. In milder climates, the plants can simply be covered with a regular clay flower-pot, and they will produce winter leaves similarly blanched. The dried Dandelion leaves are sometimes used in England to make herb beers. Dandelion Beer is a country drink much used in former days. Grieve said that workmen in the furnaces and potteries of the industrial towns of the Midlands made much use of it, considering it to be more healthful and less intoxicating than ordinary beer. Often a mixture of Dandelions, Nettles, and Yellow Dock was used. DANDELION WINE Even more familiar than beer is Dandelion Wine. There are many similar recipes for this brew. To make it, pick four quarts of fresh Dandelion flowers, making sure that they are completely free from all portions of stem. Place them in a tub and pour 1 gallon cold water on them, leaving them to stand for three days, stirring every 8 hours or so. Strain off the golden liquid and boil it with 3 1/2 pounds white sugar, 1 piece ginger root, the rind of 1 orange and 1 sliced lemon for 30 minutes. After it has cooled, float a piece of toast on it which has been spread on both sides with 2 tablespoons of brewer's yeast (active kind, not the vitamin-supplement kind). Leave for two days to start fermentation. Remove the toast and cask with the bung only lightly in place for a week or two until the gases have escaped, and then bung tightly for 2 months before bottling. This is said to taste like a flat or mild sherry (Huson:169). Dandelion coffee is a good coffee substitute, although some claim that it is an insult to coffee and to Dandelions too! We like it very much, however. It is quite expensive to buy, but not difficult to make. Dig Dandelion roots and clean them thoroughly. Cut them into pieces and roast them slowly in a moderate oven until they are coffee-colored and crisp. Cool completely and store in a cool dry place, well-stoppered as they are prone to infestation by moths and worms. Prepare the coffee by simmering the quantity of roots desired to taste. Strain and add raw honey and milk or cream if desired. Taken daily, this is an excellent liver tonic as well as pleasant drink. Some American Indian tribes used the flowers to make a yellow dye for deerskins (Neithammer:111). English and Gypsy horse breeders sometimes make extensive use of the leaves for conditioning their fine racing horses, who are said to take quantities of it when it is chopped and mixed with bran (Levy:Herbal:57). Planted in the garden, Dandelions cause flowers and fruits of neighboring plants to mature early, although they are said to inhibit the growth of some plants (Philbrick:35). Children enjoy making chains, bracelets and " curls " from the plants. The curls are formed by starting a split in four directions at the smaller end of a scape, into which is the tongue is deftly and gradually inserted, causing a slow separation into sections that curl backward, being kept to form with the tongue; when the scope is curled to the end it is drawn several times through the child's mouth and partially uncurled into graceful ringlets (Millspaugh:371). CULTIVATION, COLLECTION, PREPARATION Who would ever consider cultivating Dandelion that ubiquitous weed which infests our lawns and gardens? Much money and time are spent every year trying to eradicate this so-called pest. Yet there is a special variety of Dandelion for which seed is solid to cultivate the plant, and it is well worth letting go in your yard to use for culinary and medicinal purposes. You must be absolutely sure, however, that the lawn, orchard or garden is not sprayed with pesticides or herbicides, or you will ingest these harmful substances along with your Dandelion. Some suggest the outskirts of cultivated fields as good places to grow the plant. Although the dried leaves can be used in tea, many practitioners recommend the leaves only be taken in their fresh form, preserved in tincture if they are needed during the winter season. The roots, however, are said to have their highest nutritive and medicinal effect in autumn, when they can be dug, cleaned, cut and dried, to be used raw or roasted when needed. DESCRIPTION The Dandelion is an herbaceous plant, with a perennial, fusiform root. The leaves, which spring immediately from the root, are long, pinnatifid, generally runcinate, with the divisions toothed, smooth, and of a fine green color. The flower stem rises from the midst of the leaves, six inches or more in height. It is erect, simple, naked, smooth, hollow, fragile and terminated by a large golden-colored flower, which closes in the evening and expands with the returning light of the sun. The calyx is smooth and double, with the outer scales bent downward. The florets are extremely numerous, lingulate, and toothed at their extremities. The receptacle is convex and punctured. The seed- down is stipitate, and at the period of maturity, is disposed in a spherical form, and is so light and feathery as to be easily borne away by the wind, with the seeds attached. VITAMINS (MG/100G) fresh leaves A 14,000 Thiamine .19 Riboflavin .26 Niacin .0 C 35 MINERALS (MG/100G) Calcium 187 Phosphorus 66 Iron 3.1 Sodium 76 Potassium 397 OTHER NUTRIENTS (MG/100G) Calories 45 Protein 2.7 Fat 0.7 Carbohydrates 9.2 This species grows spontaneously in most parts of the world. It is abundant in the United States, adorning our grass plots and pasture grounds with its bright yellow flowers, which, in moist places, show themselves with the opening and spring and continue to appear till near the close of summer. All parts of the plant contain milky juice, which exudes when they are broken or wounded. The fresh full-grown root is several inches in length, about a thick as the little finger, round and tapering, somewhat branched, of a light brownish color externally, whitish within, having a yellow ligneous cord running through its center, and abounding in a milky juice. (United States Dispensatory). The dried rhizome and root of the Dandelion were official in the United States Pharmacopeia, 1831-1926, and remained in the National Formulary until 1965. BIBLIOGRAPHY Barlow, Max G. From the Shepherds's Purse. Buchman, Diane Dincin, Herbal Medicine. New York: Gramercy, 1980. Coon, Nelson. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1974 Culpeper's Color Herbal. New York: Serling, 1983. Ellingwood, Finley. American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy. Portland: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1983. Grieve, M., Mrs. A Modern Herbal. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin Books, 1980. Harris, Ben Charles, Eat the Weeds. New York: Larchmount, 1972. Hatfield, Audrey Wynne. A Complete Culinary Herbal. Wellingborough, Northamptonshire: Thorsons Publishers Limited, 1978. The Herbalist. Provo: Bi-World Publishers, May 1978. Huson, Paul. Mastering Herbalism. New York: Scarborough, 1975. Hutchens, Alma R. Indian Herbology of North America. Kumbakonam, S. India: Homeo House Press, 1970. Kloss, Jethro, Back to Eden. Loma Linda, CA: The Jethro Kloss Family Back to Eden Book, (n.d.) Levy, Juliette de Barcli, Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1976. Lucas, Richard. Common and Uncommon Uses of Herbs for Healthful Living. West Nyack, NY: Parker Publishing Company, INC., 1969. Lucas, Richard. Herbal Health Secrets. New York: Parker, 1983. Lust: The Herb Book. Millspaugh, Charles F. American Medicinal Plants. New York: Dover, 1974. Moldenke, Harold N. and Alma L. Moldenke. Plants of the Bible. New York: The Ronald Press company, 1952. Moore, Michael. Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West. Santa Fe; Museum of New Mexico Press: 1979. Philbrick, Helen and Richard B. Gregg. Companion Plants and How to Use Them. New York: The Devin-Adair Company, 1966. Rodale, J. I., et al. The Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Books, Inc., 1969. Rose, Jeanne. Herbs and Things. New York: Perigee, 1972. Santillo, Humbart. Natural Healing with Herbs. Tierra, Michael. The Way of Herbs. Santa Cruz: Unity Press, 1980. Vogel, Virgil J. American Indian Medicine. New York: Ballantine Books, 1970. Weiner, Michael. Weiner's Herbal. New York: Scarborough, 1980. Dandelion is available in capsules & bulk Back to Newsletters Used by permission - Dr. Christopher's Newsletters: Volume 6 Number 11 --- ----------- DISCLAIMER The information provided here is for educational purposes only, and should not be used to diagnose and treat diseases. If you have a serious health problem, we recommend that you consult a competent health practitioner. After each product is a list of what it has been used to aid. We are not claiming that the product will cure any of these diseases or that we created them to cure these disorders. We are merely reporting that people have used the product to aid these conditions. Finally, we wish to caution you that the information on this web site is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified health practitioner before deciding on any course of treatment, especially for serious or life-threatening illnesses. http://www.herbsfirst.com/NewsLetters/0703dandelion.html _________________ JoAnn Guest mrsjo- DietaryTi- www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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