Herb library

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

Dandelion, the familiar yellow-flowered weed, is a long-standing household herb used for simple, bitter-green remedies and kitchen medicine. It offers leaves, flowers, and roots for teas, syrups, and compresses in everyday home care.

Traditionally used for.

• •Traditionally used as a bitter green in small daily tonics to support appetite and gentle digestion.
• •Traditionally used as a warm compress or poultice for minor skin irritations and to soothe tired muscles.
• •Traditionally used as a mild, warming tea from roasted root as a household beverage in cooler months.
• •Long-standing household use of dandelion flowers in syrups and honeys for a pleasant, floral cordial and to soothe the throat.

Simple preparations.

• •Leaf tea: steep 1 teaspoon of dried dandelion leaves or 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped leaves per cup of boiling water, cover and steep 10 minutes, strain. Take 1 cup after meals as needed.
• •Roasted root infusion: roast cleaned, chopped dandelion root in a dry pan until light brown, simmer 1 tablespoon roasted root per cup of water for 10 minutes, strain. Drink 1 cup warm, up to twice daily in cooler weather.
• •Dandelion flower syrup: infuse 2 cups fresh flowers in 3 cups boiling water, cover and steep overnight, strain, then simmer the liquid with 2 cups honey (or honey substitute for children under one) until thickened to syrup. Use 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon in warm water or tea for a soothing drink.

Cautions.

• !Can act as a gentle bitter and diuretic, which may increase urine output; be cautious if you are dehydrated or have low blood pressure.
• !People with known allergy to plants in the daisy family may have allergic skin reactions or hay fever like symptoms.
• !May interact with diuretic or lithium-type medications; check with your doctor before regular use, and check with your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.
• !If you have gallbladder issues or gallstones, check with your doctor before using dandelion preparations.

Often kept beside.