Your Backyard Medicinals - Dandelion, Taraxacum Officinale
Dr. Christine Foutch is a holistic physician practicing in Rock Island, IL. The practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and alternative therapies to prevent disease, treat disease, and most importantly promote optimal health.
Wonders of the plants commonly viewed as weeds. They can be found rising in the cracks of sidewalks and along roadsides; patches of the included nuisances found within our lovely green lawns.
As young children, many of us remember grabbing the tall standing puff of the dandelion, and with our breath giving to the land the gift of a future harvest.
The dandelion is a perennial herb native to North America. It grows from a tap-root that reaches down more deeply into the soil. For clarity, a tap-root is a large, centralized dominating root from which all the other roots can sprout off.
The dandelion plant itself grows up to about a foot in height; with flowering from April through June. Producing a yellow flower head consisting of the Florets. The leaves grow from the base of the plant in a lengthy shape with large serrated tooth-like edges.
The whole plant is edible and also highly nutritious. Young leaves can be cleaned, cooked, and eaten, or preferably consumed raw. However, the leaves are more satisfying young as with age they can grow a bit more bitter.
The dandelion root can be cleaned, dried, and roasted for use as a tea; even a coffee substitute. The flowers of the dandelion create a delightful salad garnish.
Medicinal Use: The complete Dandelion plant can be prepared for medicinal use. The roots are helpful for gastrointestinal discomforts (my choice of usage). Additionally in the liver, you find support within the detoxification functions. The leaves have a powerful diuretic effect helping to cleanse the kidneys. The entire dandelion plant is beneficial to one’s body as it is high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Harvesting Leaves: Select and clean only the youthful healthy-looking dandelion leaves in the spring. When they are young they are less bitter. However, be very careful where you do harvest, as public lawns and parks may have been sprayed with the lawn care chemicals. However, the dandelion is generally considered safe, although some individuals may be allergic to it.
If you are allergic to plants from the same family, or similar plants such as ragweed do not use the dandelion.
Harvesting Roots: I prefer the large roots thereof plants that are older. Sturdy and adapted to the environment helps to ensure medicinal potency. While also much easier to process and clean away the outer root edges, for roasting the roots.
- Remember the tap-root is deep and will require some work. You can dig a bit around the base of the plant at a short distance to improve the removal of the entire root. Leave behind some of the roots, this will ensure future harvests.
- Consider this - Potted dandelion plants for even easier handling, cleaning, and processing.
Dandelion Ginger Tea Recipe For Gastrointestinal Discomfort
Made with Fresh or Dried Ingredients:Dandelion Ginger Tea Recipe- 1-3 teaspoons of clean, roasted dandelion root, cut into small pieces increasing the surface area for steeping
- 1-2 tablespoon of fresh clean ginger root chopped into small pieces increasing the surface area for the steeping
- 1-4 cups of boiling water
- Pour the boiling water over the roasted dried dandelion and the ginger root allowing them to steep for at least 20 minutes
- Strain tea (may add-in honey) & sip
- Store remaining tea in refrigerator and use as need
Fast Act Gastrointestinal Discomfort Remedy - Dandelion Ginger Tea Recipe can be made to your desired strength & tolerance.
Educational Purposes For Your Health & Wellness
Christine Foutch Holistic Physician
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