Don’t Kill That Dandelion
We know it as the Dandelion, but it has also been called Priest’s Crown, Blow Ball and Swine’s Snout and while many people think of the Dandelion as a troublesome weed, it is actually nature’s greatest healing herb.
Spring is a time to detoxify our bodies. Following a winter of near hibernation, getting less sun and fresh air, eating more and exercising less it’s time to shake out the cobwebs and give our bodies a much needed spring cleaning. After living mostly indoors for months where we breathe in cleaners, sprays, fireplace particles, trace gasses from stoves and furnaces, carpet cleaners, out gassing from glues in carpets and wood, etc, our body gets overloaded and becomes sluggish causing poor elimination. Spring is a perfect time to get rid of the pollutants and toxins that have built up over this time.
We know it as the Dandelion, but it has also been called Priest’s Crown, Blow Ball and Swine’s Snout and while many people think of the Dandelion as a troublesome weed, it is actually nature’s greatest healing herb. The whole plant is medicinal including the flowers but for detox after a long hard winter, stems are used. Use only Dandelions that have not been sprayed. Gather stems during flowering with flowers attached and removing only after washing.
Chew five or six clean stems a day for seven days. Dandelion contains a substance valuable for metabolic problems, it purifies the blood, tones glands, stimulates the liver and gallbladder while cleaning all waste matter from the stomach. Make sure to drink lots of water. Once the detox has begun it will help flush the impurities from your body.
Be safe. Never try anything new without talking to your doctor or a natural health care practitioner first. Let them know about any prescriptions and over the counter medications you are taking. We often think that because something is “natural” that it is safe but, mixing herbs and medicine can cause serious complications.
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Meri Jeffrey | May 19, 2007 | Reply
Thanks Darlene, I need to get some of these to plant! I love herbs and now I’m getting some great tips!
Lucy Lockett | May 21, 2007 | Reply
I know a few people who use natural therapies and I still have a lot to learn. This sure sounds like a good thing to do though.That was an important last comment you made, although its natural, it still needs to be administered with caution and care.
Gail Nobles | May 21, 2007 | Reply
My brother use to eat dandelion when he was a baby. It helped him when he was sick before my mother found out that the dandelion was a herb. You can boil it as tea. Great article.
C A Johnson | May 21, 2007 | Reply
I thought this article was really interesting. I can learn a lot just by reading your articles.
I am looking forward to reading the next one. I’m sure I will learn something.
Darlene McFarlane | May 21, 2007 | Reply
You guys are great, and give me inspiration.
Thanks for the positive energies.
lizzie2uk | May 24, 2007 | Reply
I was always told as a child, not to touch dandelions because they would make me wet the bed! Sounds like there was a hint of truth about it as they are a diuretic.
C A Johnson | May 30, 2007 | Reply
Hi Darlene,
Just checking in. I’m looking forward to reading your next column.
angelstar | May 30, 2007 | Reply
thanks I am off out to pick some. well written and encouraging.
JNV | Jun 1, 2007 | Reply
Ever had Dandelion wine? It’s supposed to be really good… as long as taken in moderation. Excess amounts can cause the same effects as what dandelions will do naturally.
Lucy Lockett | Jun 5, 2007 | Reply
The things you learn! Very interesting.
beauley, Lucien | Jun 12, 2007 | Reply
Very good article. I have never ingested dandelion, I likre reading and using medicinal herbs, herbal teas and green teas. You have a vast knowledge of herbs and their uses. Please keep writing.
Emma-O | Oct 22, 2007 | Reply
Great article! Yes it’s true, one of the dandelion’s lesser-known folk names is Piss-a-Bed, lol. I have never used dandelion in the way you described, but I will definitely try it! I usually make a tea from the leaves and drink it while fasting or detoxing. I also like the raw, young leaves in salads. Stimulates the liver and has lots of cholorophyll.
It’s a shame how so many people want to get rid of it!
Judy Sheldon | Oct 27, 2007 | Reply
We always ate dandelion greens as children, but I did not know about eating the flowers until I researched for an article, and now you tell me to eat the stems. How do they taste?
I have learned so much from writers at Triond, and writing at Triond. Thank you, Darlene for the wonderful information.