Dandelion – the plentiful plant with lion’s teeth!

Dandelions Gosport, Fareham, Stubbington

Dandelions—Dandelions! I used to pass you by;

Beneath my feet your yellow stars I crushed without a sigh;

I used to gaze upon your blooms with but a careless eye,

And if of you I thought at all, knew not the reason why. (Franklin Stanwood)

I believe Stanwood’s poem above epitomises most people's relationship with the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis).  We are very familiar with this bright and colourful spring/summer plant, that is often sadly maligned by lovers of a perfectly green lawn!  Hopefully, this article will lead to a newfound appreciation of this wonderfully versatile and medicinal plant.  Dandelion derives its common name from both the Latin ‘dens lionis’ and the French ‘dents-de-lion’ which both mean ‘lion’s teeth’ due to the shape and of the plants’ jagged green leaves.  The other commonly heard name is ‘piss-en-lit’ (French for pee-the-bed) which reflects the herb’s diuretic qualities and contributes to the myth that you will wet the bed if you pick them; I remember hearing this as a child!  Taraxacum broadly translates from Greek as ‘medicinal cure’ and the whole plant can be used for a whole range of medicinal purposes.  This is one of the most frequently used herbs in my practice.  It is a liver stimulant, bitter tonic and diuretic with an affinity for the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, stomach and gut.  The uses and benefits will depend on the part of the plant used.  The young spring leaves are diuretic and are a gently stimulating kidney tonic that can be a tasty addition to a spring salad.  The leaves can also be dried and taken as a tea as part of a spring cleanse along with Cleavers (see last month) or taken as a tincture (alcohol extract) to help to remove excess fluid (without depleting potassium) and to improve the elimination of toxins from the body, especially useful for skin conditions.  The root of the Dandelion is a liver restorative with bitter properties that promote bile flow and stimulate the digestive cascade.  This helps to improve bowel function and gut health, relieving constipation and improving digestion, absorption and elimination of toxins.  The root contains Inulin (more so in the autumn) which is a starchy substance found in many fruits vegetables, that acts as a prebiotic in that it encourages the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Both the root and leaf can also be effective constituents of a herbal prescription addressing joint inflammation and pain.  The flowers can be used to make wine and syrups (remember to remove the sap-containing stem) and an infused flower oil can be applied to relieve joint pain and stiffness.  The sap from the stem can also be used topically for warts and benign skin lesions.  I’m hoping this article has gone some way in changing the perception of Dandelion from a problematic common weed, to a nutritious and beneficial tonic herb.

Nb. While Dandelion is a gentle herb, it should be used with caution during pregnancy, especially in the alcohol form, and avoided in the first trimester.  Please consult a qualified medical herbalist before internal use (especially with the tincture and if you are taking other medications), for use with children and if you have gallstones.